Extensions & Additions

Home extensions and additions are a great way of gaining valuable space without having to move.  Home extensions are generally when you add another room to the outside of your existing home, while additions are where you extend upwards, adding another storey to the house.  Whether you choose to go up or out, there are many factors to consider.  Some are outlined below.

Going Up vs Going Out

However, extending your home up means that your roof will have to come off, and it is important that your builder will provide emergency services in case of bad weather and the like.  It is also important to consider how much money you can spend on your extension as extending up is more expensive than extending out.

Choosing to extend outwards means that there will be significantly less disruption to your home, meaning that you can often live in it while the extensions are being built.  However, you will lose garden space so it is important to locate the extension as cleverly as possible.

Using Professionals

Before beginning any extension or addition, you will need council approvals and permits.  Your builder can help you ascertain exactly what approvals you will need and help you negotiate the red tape.

Do not attempt to design your extension or addition yourself – you will need the services of an architect for extensions.  They will be able to draw up blueprints for council and other professionals to work from.  With any extension, especially an upward addition, you will need an engineer to assess the structural viability of your plans.

Design Considerations

Wherever possible, match the extension or addition to your current home by using materials that match the original.  This will ensure that it does not stand out too much.  Your roofline should also look matched if extending outward and not “tacked on”.

Budget

As well as budgeting for the extension itself, you may need to budget in extra money for when you are not able to live in your home and other associated expenses.