After staying in your home for several years, you might feel like you need more space. If you want to add on another room or perhaps turn your basement into something special, a house extension could work perfectly. In this read, we will look at some factors you should consider before starting a house extension project;
- Know what you want
The first thing you need to do is figure out exactly what type of addition or change you want done to your home. If it’s a bigger project, you’ll probably also need to look into how much money and time it will take. If you’re not sure what kind of project might be best for your budget and schedule, make a list of different possibilities before calling in a design professional.
- Create some design plans
Once you have decided what type of project would work best with the architecture and layout of your home, call up an architect or designer to create some plans for the new space. Plan ahead as much as possible because these designs will help you visualize your result and provide insight into what materials should be used and how long the project might take.
- Come up with a budget
You will need to come up with a realistic budget before starting the project, but keep in mind that you also need to have funds saved aside for unforeseen expenses or changes of plan. A professional design service can help you look at your finances and figure out exactly how much money is needed for your house extension.
- Get all necessary permits and licenses
Before work begins on your project, make sure that you have obtained any required government permits or building permits as well as local authority approvals. If there are certain restrictions where you live due to historical landmarks, environmental issues, etc., make sure these factors are considered during the design phase so you don’t run into trouble later on during the construction stage.
- Hire the right contractor
For your project to be a success, you will need to make sure that you hire a contractor who has the necessary experience on house extensions. Whether you’re building an outdoor patio or extending your kitchen, take time to check references, ask for photos of previous work and read online reviews from past customers before making a final decision on which contractor should handle your project.
- Establish a schedule
Once all plans have been finalized, and a contractor hired, create a detailed timeline. This is to ensure everyone involved knows what stage each part of the project is currently in, as well as who is responsible for it at each point. Work out ahead of time when certain deadlines are due, so there aren’t any problems if things take longer than expected or someone suddenly needs to be switched around with another plan.
A house extension is one of the best home improvement projects you can take on, but it’s important to follow all of the steps listed above to make sure your project is a success.
