There are many different reasons for home extensions. For instance, growing families require larger spaces. Maybe you want to add in that baby room or a playroom for the kids. Perhaps you want to add an office, study room, or gym to your house. Whatever the case may be, extensions are a good idea and, when built correctly, can add value to a property. 

Whatever your motivations for building onto your house are, there is a lot to bear in mind. Extensions take time to build and can be expensive. For this reason, there are some things you need to consider before diving into this project. 

Below we have outlined 5 things to keep in mind before getting a home extension.

1. Pin-Point What You Want 

First — and this might seem obvious — you need a clear idea of what you want from your extension. It is all very well adding an extra room on the back if you’re going to add value to the home, but that means very little if you can’t maximize the utility of the space.

Start the process by considering your vision for your house with additional space and brainstorm some Rear Extension Ideas. Think about what your house needs, what an extension could add, and how it would work with the space you have now. Remember, an extension also allows you to re-purpose your current rooms, too. 

Alternatively, you can try automatic 3D interior design software equipped with a library of 700+ decor materials and furniture items. This solution will allow you to save a significant amount of money. Besides, you will be able to take your time to brainstorm a perfect plan of your space extension with dimensional specifications, which you can later send to your contractor. 

You don’t need any architectural background to use this program since it employs consecutive algorithms and does all the hard work for you.

2. Ask for Permission

Before you conduct any major work on your property, you need to ask for permission. Ultimately, this could end up deciding your vision for you, but it is important to talk to your local government as soon as you start planning an extension. Once you know what’s allowed, you are good to go.

Councils don’t always require planning permission, but there will be building regulations that need to be enforced. It’s best to have this information on hand from the very beginning, rather than being disappointed because the project you envisioned can’t be carried out. 

3. Hire an Architect

The greater the scale of your project, the greater the need for an architect! Hiring an architect will generally lead to a better design for your extension, so make sure to brief them properly. 

Explain everything that you are thinking about — for the physical space and intangible things like how you want the extension to feel — and an architect can help realize your idea.

An architect is useful to have on hand throughout the whole build. They can use their expertise to tell you if something in the building work is going off track and are well placed to liaise with contractors over the technical aspects of the job.You can click here to visit Dion Seminara Architecture for your architectural needs.

4. Talk to Your Neighbours

The people living around you, particularly next door, are sure to be affected by any major building on your house. Give them a heads up early on, so they know what you are planning, and you can see if they have any objections.

Talking to your neighbours early in the process can head off any potential difficulties further down the line. These could be simple arguments with builders or possible legal objections if you disagree over the works and how they affect each of you.

5. Get Multiple Quotes

Comparing multiple quotes is useful for more reasons than just finding the best price. It is an opportunity to check out how builders work and how they think, to judge how reliable they are and what kinds of materials they will use on your extension. 

Don’t forget that the builders will be in your home for a long time, so you need to trust them and have a good rapport. Finding the best price is essential, but don’t save too much on the amount only for it to cost you when your builders are turning up late or don’t share your vision for the extension.

Conclusion 

Considering these 5 elements before building an extension is a great starting point. Best of luck to you and happy building!