A lot of planning and patience are needed to successfully build an extension to your home. Since such a project has the potential to be highly time-consuming and expensive, you should expect to give it your full attention from beginning to end. If you have never built a home extension before, here are some of the basics you ought to know.
Outline Possible Designs
No matter what you are building your extension for, whether it’s a spare bedroom, another bathroom, or something else entirely, you should allow enough time for the initial plans to be drawn up. Talking to an architect can make the process easier since they will be able to make suggestions based on expertise. Think about how the extension will connect to the existing property and what the layout should be. Start with large abstract ideas before fine-tuning the details as you go.
Get Permission
If you plan to extend your home in any direction, you will most likely need to acquire the appropriate permissions ahead of construction. If you fail to do this, you risk wasting precious time and resources on a project that you will be asked to take down again. Check with your local authority about what the regulations and necessary permits are for your area.
Use Reputable Contractors
There may be some aspects of the extension that you can do yourself if you have the skills already. However, you will also need to reach out to trustworthy contractors to make your project come to fruition. If your extension requires plumbing, for example, a business such as Beehive Plumbing can achieve the desired results, safely. Contact the professionals for potentially dangerous or technically complex jobs such as plumbing, electrics, and heavy lifting. Be sure to check their reviews online for added peace of mind.
Allocate Additional Time and Money for Construction
You should be as thorough as possible during the project’s planning phase, but there will always be an unexpected twist in the road. However, you don’t need to let it take you by surprise if you allocate funds and extra time for the eventuality of an issue arising. Perhaps your materials aren’t delivered on time or severe weather forces your contractors to pause construction indefinitely. Give yourself a buffer so these events don’t drastically impact the success of the final extension.
Assess Safety
Any construction project has a potential for danger, even once the building is complete. Have an independent surveyor visit the extension to assess the safety of the fittings, the structure, and the utilities. Keep hold of any certificates to prove satisfactory results.
An extension can be a fantastic way to make your home more enjoyable to live in while potentially adding value to the property in case you want to sell it later. No one should undertake an extension project lightly, but with the right preparation and mindset from the start, you can create something unique and appealing for your home which you will enjoy for many years.
