It has become a consistent trend in recent years that homeowners are less likely to move than they are to improve. In the UK, an estimated 40,000 homeowners a year are making applications for planning consent in order to make improvements to their property.
This is the highest rise in home improvement figures since the early days of the financial crash of ten years ago. If you’re considering a home extension, there are numerous factors that you’re going to need to consider, and whether it’s legal considerations or the type of extension you want for your home, the following areas are the ideal starting point when it comes to planning. Extensions have a high investment potential and can add a huge percentage to the value of your home, so getting it right is vital.
Legal permissions
There are two legal areas that you’re going to need to ascertain when it comes to planning your extension. Most properties are going to require planning permission from your local council, and that can take time to go through. Never start building your extension without the correct legal paperwork, as there have been numerous instances of people moving forward only to find that they have to dismantle their new build at a huge financial loss. Some properties will not need planning permission, especially if you’re simply updating an existing part of your property. In those cases, you will still need to make sure you have the correct development rights in place, and you will need building regulation approval in those instances.
Choosing the right materials
There are two ways to guide your extension design. The first is simply keeping within the style, tone, and materials of your existing property and simply extending outwards in the same format. The other option is to choose an entirely new look for your extension so that it stands out and creates a more unique feature. Glass extensions are increasingly popular, but they do come with a big leap in potential cost and can be quite complicated to build. Many extension designers are opting for a combination of wood and steel, with a structure that consists of a high strength rectangular steel box section framework that allows for much more versatility, efficiency, and lower costs. This is a growing trend simply due to the durability of the materials, their sustainability, and their design flexibility.
Consider your privacy
One last area that many people don’t give any thought to until it’s too late is their privacy. Large glass windows or skylights could end up being a cause for concern if you haven’t given any consideration to what neighbours and passersby are going to be able to see. Your chances of relaxing in your new extension are going to be drastically minimised if anyone can simply glance in and see what you’re doing! Always look at your natural boundaries and make sure that your design is adapted to ensure that your neighbours aren’t going to be able to spoil your view.
Whether you’re planning an extension because you need the extra space or you’re trying to add value to your property, these three steps are the best way to make sure that you move forward efficiently. Make sure that you have your plans in order before you start building, and your extension could provide you with a lot of joy in the future. Failure to plan will lead to nothing but headaches.
