House Extension Tips: 14 Ideas for a successful project
Building work of any kind is complex and fraught with risk. Below is a list of house extension tips and ideas to assist with your project.
1. Spend time writing a good brief
When extending your home, a brief is the road map for the project. It explains your requirements and will constantly evolve and be referred to. The brief should include the budget and timescale. When writing it, some questions to consider are: Why do you want to extend or remodel? What doesn’t work at the moment? What problems are you having? An architect can help develop the brief but its a good idea to think things through in advance.
2. Be clear on the budget
Deciding on the budget for the project is important to avoid misunderstandings and problems later on. Aside from the building work itself, remember to allow for the interiors, furniture, landscaping, professional fees, planning fees, building control fees and finance costs.
3. Have a contingency
After determining how much money you want to spend on the project, take off 10 - 20% for a contingency.
4. Do you need to extend?
Sometimes less costly improvements, such as dividing or combining rooms, can be just as effective. Moving house might be a better option for some. A feasibility study which considers numerous options and gives a basic indication of cost could be a good place to start. More time spent thinking things through at this early stage can save time and unnecessary expense.
5. Be open minded
Opportunities and ideas always arise during the design process. To take advantage of these, it’s a good idea not to fixate on any particular outcome or requirement.
6. Include the neighbors
Keep the neighbors informed of your plans to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Talking them through the drawings will help them understand the work fully.
7. The Party Wall Act
Most extension projects require a party wall notice to be served to the neighbors. Not doing so could be against the law and turn out to be very costly. You can serve this yourself by downloading the appropriate form or you could use a party wall surveyor. Check out this guide for help
8. Use a QS
For more complex projects, predicting costs accurately is almost impossible at the earlier stages of a project. For reassurance, getting help from a quantity surveyor is a good idea. They can be employed at an hourly rate to look over the figures at key stages of the project.
9. Fix existing defects
Also known as remedial work, any existing problems with your house should be identified before starting new work.
10. Finding a reputable builder
A good builder is essential for a successful house extension project. Personal recommendations from friends, neighbors or your architect should enable you to draw up a shortlist. Membership of a professional organisation is a good sign but by no means guarantees quality work. When checking references try to visit previous projects and speak to previous customers directly.
11. Avoid changes on site
However tempting it may be, making last minute changes to the design is never a good idea. Most builders will price late additions at a premium as, having already been appointed, they no longer need to be competitive. For bespoke projects, having a detailed specification for the construction work and sticking to it ensures prices have been agreed there are no late surprises to either party.
12. Use an industry standard construction contract
For complex projects, having a contract with the builder is essential. It will hold the builder (and homeowner) to account on the quality, cost and timescale of your project. RIBA or JCT building contracts are widely used and fair to all sides. They can be administered by an architect or homeowners.
13. Make sure insurance is in place
If your house is damaged during the build, you need to know your home insurance policy will cover the cost. Contact your insurer to check.
14. Think about the landscaping
The garden is often an afterthought in renovation projects. Integrating its design early in the design process and allocating a portion of the budget ensures opportunities are not missed.
