Building a home extension is a huge investment and is also a great way to improve your home and your lifestyle without having to move house. When done well, a home extension really adds value to your property as well as improving your lifestyle and there are numerous ways that a home can be extended in order to make it suitable for you. Whether you want to enlarge your kitchen and add a utility room, create more bedrooms for an increasing family, or make a space that can be used for working in. Of course, the way you do this depends on the current layout and style of your home and it should be something that is well thought out and planned to get the most out of it.
Firstly, find a good architect who will be able to work with you to help you realise your goal. Be clear about what it is that you want from your extension so that the architect is aware of your needs. Find an architect who has experience with homes that are similar to yours in age and style and have a look at their previous work to see if it is a style that you like.
For many people, an extension is also a good way to introduce more natural light to the home – many homes can feel dark and poky – not helped by the often grey weather of course – and an extension is a good way to introduce more light. Ways to do this include ceiling windows on a single storey extension, getting a professional like this double glazing Cardiff based company choicetradeframes.co.uk/upvc-windows-doors/Cardiff to install bifold doors and using lighting well to enhance the space and give it more light.
Of course, before you start doing any building work you must make sure that you have planning permission to do this. Some things, like adding a conservatory come under permitted development, however it is still worth checking as planning laws in some areas are stricter and also this is also something that you should check if you live in a listed building or even a building of interest that may not be listed.
Another thing to bear in mind when you are planning to do building work on your home is the energy efficiency – making a home energy efficient helps to keep heating bills down, prevent issues like damp and generally improve it for the long term.
Extensions that add the most value
If adding value is part of the reason for extending, some projects tend to pay back more than others. A larger kitchen is high on many buyers’ wish lists, so a kitchen extension is a popular choice. Making room may mean knocking down an outbuilding, and this should be done properly by professionals, as a poorly built extension can cost more in the long run.
Bedrooms add significant value, and a loft conversion can create one or even two. Including an en suite makes a loft conversion even more appealing.
A conservatory adds a light, bright and versatile room that suits many lifestyles, and it is ideal for anyone who enjoys the garden. In cities where property prices are high and space is tight, splitting a large house into flats can also be profitable, so look at what is selling locally before deciding.