Table Of Contents
People have different plans for their dream homes, such as a better bathroom and kitchen, a room that leads to the garden, more space for friends and family, and many other unique features. If your current house is not up to your expectations, you can always move out, but bear in mind that the cost of properties in Australia increases by the day.
Moving out will also attract mortgage costs and fees to surveyors, lawyers, and real estate agents. If you decide to move out, you’ll also need to ensure you get an ideal home with all the local facilities you need and access to schools, hospitals, and everything you currently enjoy.
With that, you might need to reevaluate whether to find an alternative or stay put. A suitable alternative to consider is getting house extensions. This will give your property additional features and increase its value, which is excellent if you plan to sell it in future. It’s also a great way to create a home that meets the demands of tenants.
Planning a Home Extension
In order to plan an extension, one of the first things you should do is create a wish list. Determine the number of new rooms you want to add and whether there will be a basement or a new floor. You might also want to consider converting the space in your garage.
Also, determine where you want the new room to fit in. This can be at the back or side of the house and depends on the available space. The type of room you want to add is also a key consideration to make during this process. It could be a spacious laundry room, a conservatory, or a secure porch in front of your house.
All of these are vital considerations to make when planning for a home extension. It helps you to easily highlight your real priorities. Once you have determined everything, including the type of space you are adding, the next thing is to check whether you can afford the extension. You might not be able to get the total estimate until the designs are completed.
Another critical factor that will make the planning process seamless is the reason for the extension. Whether it’s to add value to your home, improve the space, or create more room for your large family, you must know the exact reason you’re getting the extension work. This is also vital as it will guide you on how much you’ll spend and the assistance you’ll get from the building designer.
House Extension Design
After you’re done making the list above, the next step is to draw up the design. For this, you might need the help of an interior designer, a home renovation and extension company, or an architect. Discuss your ideas with them and explain everything you hope to achieve. You might also need the services of a project designer or manager to take measurements for the house extension plan.
The project manager will help you outline everything needed for the project and highlight potential problems you might face. You can also discuss the style you want with the project manager, including whether you want the extension to have fittings like windows, brickwork, and doors. The architectural style is also essential to consider, including historic, modern, or traditional.
Another thing the designer will help you through is the restrictions and regulations within your region. This is vital for someone living in conservation areas. The designer will assist in preparing detailed plans for every aspect of the extension. All of these are vital, especially when you want to give the contractors and builders a guide and also get a total price for the project.
Getting Permission for Your Project
After the house extension design is completed, the next phase is to obtain permission from your local authorities. This is done to ensure that the project complies with the building codes within your region and other safety or electrical regulations.
The authorities will also determine whether the new extension will not interfere with the privacy or lighting of your neighbours and the impact it will have on the neighbourhood, especially for people living in conservation areas. If you’re able to satisfy your local authorities, they will grant you a planning permit authorising the project to start.
However, bear in mind that they are likely to perform inspections at different stages of the project to ensure that your work is still according to stipulated regulations and standards.
In most cases, the designer will be able to handle the processes involved in getting permission, as well as negotiate changes requested by the authorities. To make the process easier, you can talk to your neighbours about your plan and be sure they are happy with it.
Costs of House Extension
With everything above set and completed, the next thing is to figure out the cost of the project. If all the project details are available, it will be easier for contractors and builders to provide an estimate.
However, before choosing a contractor, you should get multiple quotes so you can compare prices. In some cases, firms will provide you with an all-in-one service with package prices that you can choose from.
Other firms have subcontractors that can give you prices from different specialists. You can get the costs yourself, but the process can be time-consuming. Additionally, you can get advice from your designer on suitable suppliers to ensure you get value for money. The final figure for the extensions costing you depends on the complexity of the project.
Key determining factors include:
- Special materials
- The amount of demolition required
- The removal of any hazardous waste
When setting a budget for the project, you should consider the cost of permits and inspections, professional fees, furniture, fittings, and decorations.
Choose a Builder for the Project
This is a vital decision to make, and you can choose between working directly with a contractor or builder or working with a company that specialises in the provision of storey extensions. The most important thing to ensure is that you hire a company that is certified and registered. They should also be able to provide references that are genuine.
In general, it’s advisable to choose a builder that specialises in extension so that you can be sure that they have the experience in the architectural style you want. After choosing your suppliers, it’s advisable to have them give you contracts and a schedule of work so that you know everything that is happening.
Consult with Home Extension Professionals
A key thing to always have in mind is that deadlines are not permanently fixed, and there are cases where the contractor may not be able to meet deadlines. This is the part where the project manager can offer their expertise and where extension planning comes in handy.
They can keep tabs on contractors and suppliers to ensure that everything is on track. The project manager will also be able to coordinate everyone involved in the project to reduce delays and ensure that the extension project is completed quickly and in line with the house extension plans.
They will also help you monitor the quality of work delivered and work with the proper authorities for inspections and necessary checks. During the project, you also need to be able to manage your life. Remember that there will be noise and dust while the project is ongoing.
Also, essential rooms in your house, like bathrooms and kitchen, may be out for some time due to electrical and plumbing work. Accessing some parts of your house may become difficult. The house extension or home renovating process requires that you exercise some patience, but it will be worth the wait.
