Planning Your Extension

Extension construction is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. For your building journey to be successful, you must plan and manage it carefully because it will be specific to you and your home.

Whether you choose a wrap-around extension, a glazed single or two-storey extension, there are some crucial things to do right no matter what your project is. Each extension will have its own criteria.

How do you go from putting your ideas on paper to actually seeing them come to life if you’ve never constructed an extension before? Who do you first speak with? How should you set your budget? What is crucial knowledge for all aspiring extenders?

Our beginner’s guide breaks down some key aspects you should consider, from addressing queries concerning planning approval and the price of an extension, that will help launch your extension project.

Prior to Beginning an Extension

Make sure you’re informed of local and national construction news before beginning an extension project. This includes information on trades, materials, and scheduling changes.

The price increases and shortages of building supplies, as well as the scarcity of HGV drivers, are making headlines and having an impact on the construction industry. The construction sector is being affected countrywide by dwindling supply of essential building materials like roof tiles, cement, and a timber scarcity, and prices have increased for many goods.

The shortage is anticipated to persist, so this will have an impact on both your budget as inflated prices hit trades who then have to pass those increases onto you, the client, as well as the trades you want to hire (who are battling with backlogs from Covid, an increase in demand, and the material shortages).

How Much Does It Cost to Build an Extension?

What is the price of an extension? Any extender’s most important question!

The shortage of construction supplies is causing price increases for labour and materials across the UK, which will have an impact on most bottom lines. The cost of building an addition will also depend on its size, shape, and glazing.

For a reasonably typical single-story extension project that a builder manages on your behalf, you should budget between £1,800 and £2,300/m2 for the finished project. A two-story expansion will cost slightly less (due to more affordable space) and will likely cost between £1,500 and £2,000.

You might easily pay £3,000/m2 in some South and high-value areas of the UK that are beset by labour shortages, especially on smaller projects. Therefore, the cost of an 8x4m kitchen addition is between £50,00 and £70,000; a two-story addition on the same footprint costs about £100,000; etc. However, these numbers can be modified based on the build method and specification that are used.

 

How Can I Build an Extension Cheaply to Reduce Costs?

Selecting a less expensive construction system is one way to save costs. Concrete blockwork is easily accessible, and the majority of builders are familiar with how to use it. However, some contemporary building techniques, such as using structural insulated panels, could cost more up front but end up saving in labour costs, particularly when it comes to insulating your extension.

It will be less expensive to build an extension with a straightforward shape and design, such as a square or rectangle with a flat roof, than one with an angled roof structure and plenty of glass.

Working now will pay dividends later on in the project because additions may be designed and built on any budget. Find out more here.

Will a Home Extension Increase the Value Of My Property?

Balance is the key. Don’t overprice yourself if you plan to later sell the property; otherwise, you risk losing all of the money you invested in creating the addition.

Even while it will increase the amount of room in your home, building a modest house addition may not be as cost-effective in terms of how much it will increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it.

A larger addition should raise the final worth of your house, but since it will cost more to build, be careful not to spend more money than you will recover. Additionally, there is usually a price cap that you want to stay inside, so double-check your math.

Speaking with local real estate agents can give you a better understanding of the neighbourhood market and the price ranges of extended homes comparable to your own.

What to Take into Account Before Creating Plans

Before you start the process of having your blueprints drawn, there are certain crucial factors to think about, such as:

• The site’s soil type
• Nearby trees
• Any history of flooding
• Site access – rights of way

It’s crucial to let your insurers know about the work. While some may not offer coverage while the work is being done, others offer specific extension insurance packages. Get in touch with Extension Plans UK for any further information you require.

Have you been planning a loft conversion? If so, then one of the first questions you may have asked yourself might be: “do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?” This question is a vital point to consider, as the answer could significantly influence your final planning decisions. And with this in mind today, our expert team here at Extension Plans UK is on hand to help you find out a little more about the intricacies of planning a loft conversion and whether loft conversion planning permission is an important requirement to apply for.

Do I Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion? 

Have you been planning a loft conversion to add a little extra space and room to your home? There are countless excellent reasons why you might want to consider a loft conversion. Not only is it far more affordable in many cases than attempting a full conversion, but loft conversions are also incredibly effective for making the most of otherwise unused space. They also add value to your home and, through additional insulation, may even help with regulating your home’s temperature – cutting your energy bills.

However, before you begin considering a loft conversion, it’s vital to consider the regulations behind these. Indeed, loft conversions aren’t quite as simple as sticking a bed up in the loft and being done with it. There’s a lot more going into this decision, from getting professionally drawn plans to ensuring the structural integrity of the space and so on.

But what about planning? One factor many people find themselves unsure about is planning permission. After all, you might argue, you’re not officially building a new structure – so, where does this leave you? Thankfully, most loft conversions won’t require planning permission since they can usually be completed through permitted development alone.

When You Might Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion 

Most loft conversions do not require planning permission since they usually fall under the permitted development category and are much easier to obtain. However, it is essential to consider that permitted development may not always be applicable. For example, if you have already used up permitted development rights on your property, you may not be able to convert the loft readily and so will still need to apply for full planning permission to complete your loft conversion.

In addition, if you are planning on changing the external boundaries of the loft conversion – such as increasing the height of the roof – you may also need planning permission granted before you can begin the work. Discussing this factor with your local architect may help you find the most suitable approach for your loft conversion needs.

 

Can My Neighbour Stop Me From Applying for a Loft Conversion?

In most cases, your neighbour won’t be able to prevent you from applying for a loft conversion so long as you have adhered to all of the necessary rules and requirements. As such, if you have checked that permitted development is suitable for your loft conversion, or if you have obtained full planning permission for your loft conversion in cases when permitted development isn’t possible, they shouldn’t be able to stop you from applying for a loft conversion.

However, they can still raise objections when applying for planning permission if you need this, which may be considered as part of the final decision. Alternatively, if you attempt a loft conversion without planning permission or without completing building regulations, your neighbour could potentially complain (which may result in you having to stop the conversion). 

The main takeaway here is: always do things by the book. If you have followed all necessary regulations for your loft conversion, your neighbours shouldn’t have any need or ability to prevent your loft conversion from going ahead.

The only exception here might be if you live in a semi-detached or terraced property, in which case, you may still need to obtain permission in the form of a “Party Wall Agreement” to complete your loft conversion. In such a scenario, it’s always worth staying on your neighbours’ good sides if you ever need their cooperation down the line (even if you’re not quite ready to apply for a loft conversion just yet).

Don’t Forget – Planning Permission and Building Regulations are Different Things!

At this point, we’ve outlined the fact that you won’t necessarily need planning permission to complete a loft conversion for your home. However, it’s crucial to consider as part of this how imperative it is to obtain building regulations for your loft conversion.

Many people assume that building regulations and planning permission are one in the same thing, but this is not always the case. In fact, in most cases, building regulations are still important for any conversion you make to your home to ensure that the property remains strong and structurally sound – and this includes your loft conversion. 

While planning permission likely isn’t necessary for your loft conversion, you will still need to apply for building regulations. Fortunately, this is made much simpler when you partner with a local professional architect to help with your loft conversion.

Thinking of Converting your Loft? Let Extension Plans UK Help

Have you been planning a loft conversion? If so, the great news is that you most likely won’t need to obtain full planning permission from the local council for your loft conversion. The loft conversion doesn’t exceed the boundaries expressed in previous plans. However, this may not always be the case. For example, perhaps you have been planning a loft conversion and also want to change any structural aspects of the house significantly, such as increasing the height of the roof to make your loft conversion more spacious. You may still need to consider applying for loft conversion planning permission with your local authority in such a scenario.

Of course, every authority has slightly different rules. As such, if you’re still feeling a little unsure about whether you need loft conversion planning permission, we’d recommend discussing this with your local council or local architectural teams for further, region-specific advice.

We all want to make the most of the space within our homes – and, in many scenarios, this can make a loft conversion seem like an excellent option to consider. However, before you can begin applying for a loft conversion, it’s crucial to ensure it’s the right decision for your home and situation. And with this in mind today, we’ve outlined some of the key things you should know about loft conversion planning to help you decide whether or not this is the solution you’ve always wanted for your property.

After all, it’s not always easy to find the perfect opportunity – but luckily, with help from the local professional experts, you can ensure your conversion goals go smoothly overall.

What to Consider When Planning a Loft Conversion 

Before you begin your loft conversion planning, we highly recommend you consider the following five points to help with your decision. Indeed, while there are countless benefits associated with a loft conversion, it may not always be for everyone. As such, the following factors may help influence your decision.

#1 Do You Need Planning Permission? 

Do you need planning permission to apply for a loft conversion? Well, this depends on the property in question and the specific requirements of your conversion. However, in most cases, a straightforwards loft conversion that stays within the bounds of the original building can be done with permitted development rather than needing full planning permission.

However, if you are planning to extend your loft outside of the original boundaries, you may need to obtain planning permission. If you have already used permitted development on your property, you may need planning permission to do further work.

We should point out here, though, that you will still need to ensure your loft conversion adheres to building regulations before it can be approved. Building regulations help ensure that the loft conversion is safe and secure, preventing nasty accidents down the line.

#2 Could an Extension Be More Appropriate?

A loft conversion may not always be the right solution for your home. For example, an extension could be a more appropriate solution if you have a large garden space or have been looking to create a new communal space, such as a larger kitchen or lounge. While extensions are more costly and require planning permission, that shouldn’t wholly influence your decision – and extensions will also increase the value of your property more substantially than a loft conversion.

#3 Will You Need Major Work Done?

Another key point of consideration is whether you will need significant amounts of work done to make the loft conversion a reality. For example, many older properties have a gravity-fed boiler in their attics; if you complete a loft conversion, you may need to move these elsewhere. As such, it’s also worth considering that any major work will significantly increase the cost of your loft conversion – which might influence your final decision.

#4 Will There Be Enough Storage After the Loft Conversion?

Take a step back for a moment; let’s consider the main purpose of an attic or loft in the first place. While the attic sometimes serves as a home for the boiler, in many homes, it also has another purpose: as a large amount of additional storage space for belongings that are large but which aren’t necessarily needed regularly, such as the Christmas decorations for your home. Many people also keep sentimental items in their lofts, such as old photos, children’s clothes and toys, and the like.

As such, it’s easy to see why many families have a huge amount of stuff crammed into their lofts – and, while you could potentially discard a lot of this, many things will still be important. Before committing to a loft conversion, we highly recommend that you consider whether you’ll still have enough storage space for your belongings after the loft conversion is done. For example, do you have a garage you could convert into storage space, or could you add a little extra storage back into the room after the loft conversion is complete? All of these questions will likely be vital.

Fortunately, you can discuss these matters with your professional loft conversion drawings provider, who may be able to accommodate such requests and provide innovative solutions overall.

#5 How Much Will it Cost? 

There’s a lot to love about loft conversions, and one of the most notable benefits for many homes and households is the cost. Indeed, loft conversions can often be substantially cheaper than building an extension to your home, which means there’s potentially a lot less cost and hassle involved in applying for a loft conversion.

However, that’s not to say that converting your loft is necessarily cheap, either. Indeed, there are still numerous costs for your loft conversion planning and execution, from seeking professional loft conversion drawings to the internal work itself.

In fact, Household Quotes estimates that the average loft extension will usually cost around £30,000. While some may be cheaper than this, down to around £21,000 for a small loft conversion, larger conversions may be in the region of £40,000. The most substantial loft conversions of all could even cost as much as £60,000 – so it’s vital to consider whether your wallet can support this expense before getting too heavily invested.

Luckily, there are ways you can cut the time and costs associated with seeking your conversion. For example, our team specializes in offering the most affordable and cost-effective loft conversion drawings, helping you make the most of your funds without spending an extortionate sum on expensive solutions.

Thinking of Converting your Loft? Let the Team at Extension Plans UK Help?

If you’ve been planning a loft conversion, there’s a lot to think about that could influence your final decision. From the height of the room to the availability of space, whether you’ll need to apply for planning permission to make your loft conversion a reality, it’s not always quite as straightforwards as it can seem. Still, when you partner with a professional team of extension experts, such as ours here at Extension Plans UK, you can count on quality support to help your home be the best it can be!

Benefits of a Kitchen Extension 

When you think of the heart of your home, what comes to mind? Chances are that for many people it’s their kitchen. The place where we host dinner parties and spend time together as a family unit – but is this really possible with all these fun events happening more often than ever before in today’s society-at least if our kitchens are feeling too small because they’re filling up way faster then expected. 

Do you have a small kitchen? Do you feel like it doesn’t do the job of meeting your needs? There are many reasons why people choose to extend their kitchens. Sometimes they want more space, sometimes they need a bigger fridge or freezer, and other times they might just be looking for some extra storage. In this post we will discuss these top reasons as to why extending your kitchen is an excellent idea!

Types of Kitchen Extensions 

A kitchen extension is a great way to not only add extra space for your family but it can also be done in stages depending on how much funding you have. There are three main types which include rear extensions that just extend the house further back into garden space; side return and wrap around projects where part of their design includes connecting one room with another so they become one continuous living area – perfect if you want to create an open-plan living or dining room!

So, Why Invest?

The Practicality 

The kitchen extension has a multitude of uses! You can use it for dining, socialising and hosting. By freeing up the other room in your home you are making more space which could become anything from an office to even another bedroom or games room – giving yourself so much more convenience with just one addition. You have many reasons to extend your kitchen, such as the size of it not being adequate or you having a large family. If this is something that concerns you and there isn’t an issue with living in your current home then we can help solve all those issues!

The Aesthetics 

A kitchen extension is a fantastic investment in terms of the aesthetic prowess it can bring. Having more space for cooking, storing and eating will allow you to change up your entire look on various levels: from getting rid of some clutter with extra storage options or even adding an impressive bar that serves as both a workstation and dining area!

Having an island installed is a great choice because it allows you to cook and serve meals without shutting yourself away from the rest of your family. You can use this newfound space for numerous different purposes that add quality time to everyday life at home, such as hosting friends or cooking dinner with loved ones! 

More Space 

There are many reasons to consider a kitchen extension. The biggest benefit is the space you’ll gain, and what better use than an added island in your new home? You could also convert one side of this room into something useful like storage or even a breakfast bar complete with stools so that everyone can gather around during meal times together!

Added Value of your Home – so you Don’t Need to Move

A modern and practical extension could be the perfect investment for your home. Whether you’re planning to sell up soon or would like reassurance that it will still be there when needed in ten years’ time – an addition is worth considering with a profitable return on its cost-of-investment!

The cost of moving is never the most affordable option, but if you love your home and want everything else about it just a little bit more perfect than before then renovating might be an idea for you.

Thinking of Extending your Kitchen? Need Kitchen Extension Drawings? Call Us Today 

The kitchen is the heart of every home, so it’s no surprise that people are investing in their kitchens more than ever. But with larger families and busy lifestyles, sometimes space can become an issue for cooking or entertaining guests. That’s where extending your kitchen comes into play! 

You might be thinking all you have to do is knock down a wall to create an open-plan living area but there are many other considerations when expanding your current layout, including planning permissions, extension drawings and much more. If you’re looking at adding on to your existing kitchen – whether because it just doesn’t cut it anymore or as part of a renovation plan, then be sure to get in touch with the team at Extension Plans UK.