Questions You Need to Ask Before Building Home Extensions

A home extension is an extremely great and effective way to make the most of your living area/space. You can also increase the value of your home and its aesthetic value. It is the best alternative to selling your house and building a new one.

Whether you are thinking of a side, rear or garage extension, we have gathered 25 important questions you should ask to make sure you are on the right path and don’t find yourself with problems.

How much value will a house extension add to my house?

It is impossible to tell the exact figure or amount as it varies from type to type of home, extension, the location of your property, and finish and quality of the extension. Research from “Nationwide” estimated that a typical three-bedroom home with an extra bathroom and bedroom could increase a whopping 23% value of the property; on the other hand, “The times” suggests a 5-10% increase when extending a property. Moreover, it is important to know that these statistics are average and could vary from project to project.  

What building regulations apply to a house extension?

The purpose of building regulations is to protect people’s health, safety and welfare in and around buildings. They are also designed to improve and protect the environment, improve the conservation of fuel and power and promote sustainable development. They set out the minimum requirement for:

• Damp proofing
• Ventilation
• Structural integrity
• Energy efficiency
• Fire safety
• And other key aspects of making sure a building is safe and sound

But some work is excluded from building regulations except for rewiring, underpinning or replacing windows. Work needing approval includes:

• Loft conversion
• Loft conversion
• Internal structure alterations, for instance, knocking down a wall.
• Installation of showers, baths, waste plumbing and new drainage system
• Installing new heat appliances
•  New flues and chimneys
• Modifying openings for new windows

How big should I build my house extension?

Bigger is not always better when it comes to a house extension. There are several ways to increase your living without a larger extension, and this is possible if you have a good and expert designer who could help you achieve your dream home extensions Dagenham.

Who is the right designer for my home?

There are several options to choose from when it comes to the design of your home extensions East London; these include:

• Architectural technicians
• Architects
• Specialists’ designers
•  Package build companies
• In-house design teams

How thermally efficient are my house extension plans?

When extending your house, building regulations stipulate that you have to include some energy-efficiency measures, such as:

• Insulating floors and cavities
•  Making provisions for low-energy lighting
• Install thermostatic valves on new radiators

Is my house extension near or on a swear?

You need to contact your water board if your home extensions East London is being built over the area of a sewer because the location of the sewer needs to be carefully considered.

Are the foundations strong enough?

Some extensions, such as garages or single-story extensions, these structures may not be able to support the load. There are options if the old structure is not up to the mark; you can underpin the existing foundation, which helps strengthen the soil.

Do I need to plan services for a house extension?

While extending your kitchen, you need to confirm the position of your cooker, units and white goods before the procedure begins so that the plumbing, electrics and ventilation can be planned accordingly.

Can my boiler or water heater cope with a house extension?

House extensions demand hot water and heating systems, which may not be able to cope. It is better to consider beforehand what the new extension will need, the size of the boiler, reheat time and hot water cylinder size.

Do I need site insurance?

It would help if you had site insurance when building a new extension.  You need an A rated insurer to cover until the project is completed.

How will an extension design affect your home’s privacy?

If your house is exposed to neighbors and passersby, you must consider your glazing choice. You can choose integral screens in your glazing, providing privacy without spoiling your voice.

Should I project manage my house extension? 

Project managing any house or building requires organization, high levels of patience, decision- making and problem-solving skills. If you can do things independently and do not have time, contacting a professional company is a must.