An extension is one of the best ways to get more space without moving, but it is also a big project. Time spent planning at the start saves money and stress later. These are the steps most homeowners go through.
1. Decide what the space is for
Write down how you want to use the new room: a bigger kitchen, a home office, a bedroom on the ground floor. The use decides the size, the light you need, where the plumbing and electrics go and how the extension joins the rest of the house.
2. Set a budget with a contingency
Work out what you can spend, then keep part of it aside as a contingency for things nobody can see before work starts, such as old drains, weak ground or hidden wiring. Remember to include design fees, permit fees, kitchen or bathroom fittings and decorating, not only the building work.
3. Check the rules early
Many extensions need a building permit, and some also need planning approval, depending on the size, the position and where you live. Your local authority’s website explains the rules for your area. A designer or builder can tell you what your project is likely to need.
4. Get drawings
An architect or designer turns your ideas into drawings that show the layout, the structure and the materials. Builders need these to give you an accurate estimate, and the permit application needs them too.
5. Compare estimates like for like
- Ask at least two or three builders to visit and price the same drawings.
- Check that each estimate lists materials, labour, what is excluded and the payment stages.
- Ask for a draft schedule and who will manage the site day to day.
- Ask to see insurance details and, where your area requires it, the contractor’s licence.
6. Plan life during the build
Talk to your builder about access, where materials will be stored, working hours and whether you can keep using the kitchen or bathroom. Tell your neighbours before the work starts; a friendly word goes a long way.
With a clear brief, a realistic budget and the right paperwork, you are ready to choose a builder and book a start date.