Imagine this… several years ago, you and your family move into a perfect house and it has been good to you. You love the neighbourhood, all the amenities you need are close by, your neighbours are lovely and there are good schooling services nearby. However, as your family grows, you find that the space is feeling a little cramped and you wish you had a bigger space to accommodate your family. This is when a house extension comes in to play. People tend to go for a house extension because they are happy with where they live and their children are settled in the area. A house extension means you get additional space for something you want, it can add value to your home and increase the sale price (if you decide to sell), provides you with an opportunity to design your home the way you want, and can improve your lifestyle for many years to come.
Moving has its own costs and can be pretty daunting for some families to think about. However, just like building a new house or moving, house extensions require a lot of hard work, commitment, research and focus. That being said, here are some points to consider if you are thinking of a house extension!
WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF THE EXTENSION?
A house extension should be an extension of your lifestyle. It is important to know what you are going to use this space for. Whether it be an extra living room, a home gym, a home office, or an outdoor area, this is an opportunity to get creative and think of how you will be able to use that space in the future too. Without a purpose in mind, it can be difficult to know where you want to build it and what size.
WHAT’S MY BUDGET?
How much your house extension costs depends on what you actually want to do to your property. It is important to set yourself a budget and be realistic about it! You won’t be able to enjoy your house extension if it’s going to leave you financially struggling. Which is why it is important to draw the line at what you can afford. Think of any unexpected costs that may arise. Sharing your budget with your builder can help you in knowing whether or not the design you want can be done within your budget. Think carefully and cost-effectively and do your research on who is going to do the work as well as the types of materials that will be used.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Every house is different and how long it takes to finish the project depends on how complex the design. Usually, it can take up to six months. It can get impatient trying to know when your house extension will be done as you’re excited to use the place or just getting frustrated with the disruptions, especially if you have children. It is important to know how long it will take because if it runs over, you may end up paying more for the project.
DO I NEED ANY PERMITS?
Make sure you have all the necessary permits that you need before the building process begins. The last thing that you want to happen is being forced to deal with not having the correct permit, which will delay the building process and could potentially lead to extra costs out of your budget.
WHAT ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURS?
When doing a house extension, you will need to take your neighbours into consideration. There may be several reasons that can give them a right to not agree to your project, for example, a larger extension such as adding another story can block natural light for their property and your neighbours can make a complaint. To avoid unnecessary hassle, inform your neighbours before the project starts and if they have any objections, try to work out some alternatives with them.
Thinking of starting a renovation project? Our team at iBuildNew can help you! Contact us on 1300 943 640 or customerservice@ibuildnew.com.
Let us do the legwork for you.
- We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
- We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
- We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing
1800 184 284
