Not all home extensions are created equal, so prices can vary wildly from one instance to another. For example, a large-scale extension of 25 square metres can cost as much as £59,000, with smaller projects considerably cheaper than this.
Regardless, there are all sorts of factors to consider if you’re thinking about a home extension, including the precise location where you intend to create additional interior space.
We’ll look at the three most common types of home extension below, while recommending some unique ideas for each one.
The Loft Conversion – Adding an Additional Bedroom to Your House
Where properties allow, loft conversions are becoming increasingly popular throughout the UK.
This type of extension can be done within the existing roof space in your home, while in some instances you may even be able to remove non-supporting sections of the roof to create additional room.
If you confine your extension to the existing roof space, you most likely won’t have to apply for planning permission, which makes this is a relatively simple and convenient way of adding one or two bedrooms. Interestingly, just a single additional bedroom can add up to 15% to the value of your home, especially when combined with an accessible en-suite bathroom.
Clearly, this type of simple project will help you to increase the value of your home, while enabling you to create functional space that’s ideal for growing families. And the minimal material and labour costs will also help to optimise the ultimate return on your investment, should you ever wish to sell
Front Extensions – Enhancing the Kerb Appeal of Your Home
Another option is to add an extension to the front of your property, an opportunity which is often overlooked by home-owners in the UK.
However, even simple additions such as a spacious porch can make a big difference to your property, both in terms of its aesthetics and the functionality of your hallway and downstairs rooms.
This is often a more affordable option than undertaking a loft conversion, which potentially affords you more scope to achieve far better value for your hard-earned cash.
For example, you could look to combine an existing garage extension with a new structure that covers the front of your home, creating a striking and spacious entrance that extends across the full width of the property.
This automatically extends your entrance hall and living room (or dining room if this sits at the front of your house), while it may also create some much-needed space within an existing reception room.
As you’re extending an existing structure, you shouldn’t require planning permission for this type of project either, so long as it’s capped at three metres and the materials used are similar to those used throughout the remainder of the property.
On a final note, this type of extension can also create a wow factor at the front of the property, which is ideal when looking to market your home for resale.
It can certainly help to create a more positive first impression in the minds of buyers, while creating a sense of grandeur that may otherwise be lacking.
Rear Extensions – Creating A Conservatory or Additional Kitchen/Dining Room Space
Most home extensions in the UK tend to involve the back of a property, which usually means eating into the existing garden space situated behind the home.
Given that kitchens and dining rooms tend to be found at the rear of most properties in the UK, this type of extension is commonly used to increase the size of these spaces and add considerable resale value to homes.
Certainly, a classic three-metre extension at the back of the property can create a spacious, open-plan kitchen/dining room, capable of serving as an incredible space for entertaining.
Others opt to build a standalone conservatory or summer room at the rear of their property. This may even add more value to the property, while also compensating for the loss of garden space with a room that enables you to enjoy the sunshine and huge swathes of natural light all-year-round.
By adhering to the three-metre rule and ensuring that your new structure doesn’t extend higher than the first floor of your home (or the current highest point of the property), you can carry out this type of extension relatively quickly, without the need to secure planning permission.
Wrapping Up
Whichever type of home extension you opt for, the extra space and the added value to your property should more than make up for any temporary inconvenience during the building process. If you’re happy with the location of your existing property, but finding that you’re beginning to outgrow it, a home extension can provide the perfect alternative to moving.