Planning a House Extension

Making your home bigger is a great way to add the space or features you need without the stress of moving to a new house.  But planning a house extension is a little more than just choosing a style and grabbing a builder.

The first thing you want to think about is what style of extension you want and what the extra space will be used for.  A conservatory is a great extra living space or dining room but isn’t good as a bedroom.  A double storey extension adds loads more room but there are more regulations under Permitted Development that apply to it.  Working with an expert in extensions is always a good move to help decide what you want – and make sure it is allowed.

There are some other considerations at the planning stage.  For example, are there any shared walls that would come under the Party Wall Act?  If so, there are specific steps to take to handle this.  What is the site access like for the type of equipment the company many need to do the work?  And can your utility services and drainage handle the extra demands placed on it?

These are a few of the questions an extensions expert will look at while helping you plan the project.  Things like trees around the property, soil conditions, rights of way and even previous flooding will all have to be factored into it to ensure you get the perfect extension – that falls within the regulations.