Wouldn’t it be nice to have a bigger home? Increasing the size of one’s home is a very common reason that people are getting home extensions these days. Other people want to increase the value of their home. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking into getting a home extension it’s best to get to the drawing board.
What planning an extension is really like
Most home owners have never added an extension to their house, so most people don’t know what it’s like planning a home extension. To help out people who might want a home extension but don’t know where to start, we put together this article of 8 things to consider when planning your extension.
The planning
When it comes to an extension, good quality house extension plans are key. You need a clear idea of what you want and then you need to make a realistic plan to make it happen. A big part of this is talking with house renovation builders that can provide guidance. There’s a lot to planning a home extension, and if you’ve never made plans like this before then the help a home renovation builder can provide will be invaluable.
Permission and permits
Before you build, you’ll probably need permission from the local authorities. Along with permission comes the required permits. You may need to contact your town or council for the necessary permits. Also, if you are planning to modify a heritage property there are additional permissions that will be required. This is an important step in the extension process and one that can’t be overlooked.
Talk to your neighbours
You have to live with your neighbours whether you like them or not. And if you do have a good relationship with your neighbours you want to keep it that way. This means that you are going to need them onboard when planning your extension. If your neighbours have any problems with your house extension plans, the best thing you can do is keep calm and bring their objections up with your home renovation builder. Together you should be able to find a compromise that will keep you and everyone in your neighbourhood happy.
Costs
When planning an extension to your home you need to do a thorough evaluation of your budget. You also have some important questions that you need to answer for yourself. Can you afford the cost of a home extension, or are you willing to pay the price for a home extension? Your home renovation builder will ask you about your budget, so it’s best to be prepared to discuss it with them.
Time
Another important point when planning an extension is how long it will take. Many people underestimate this. Adding an additional room to a home can take months. Some very extensive home extension projects can take more than a year. You need to be prepared for the upheaval a home extension project will cause in your household and how long that will last. Once the renovation process is complete, we know you’ll be totally thrilled with the results, but it can be a long road to get there.
Will your family need a place to stay?
If you are planning a home extension that is quite extensive then you may need to find accommodations for you and your family. One example of such a situation would be if planning a second floor for your home. You probably can’t stay in a house where the roof and ceiling have been removed – it’d be like sleeping in the bush. Do you have relatives you can stay with for an extended period of time? Can you stay in a hotel? Definitely something important to consider.
Insurance
Ask any insurance agent and they will tell you that most people are under-insured. This is especially true when it comes to building and construction insurance related to home renovation. There is even a special category of insurance called renovation insurance meant to protect the home owner from unexpected mishaps that might occur during the renovation process. A good way to go about getting renovation insurance is to contact your existing home insurer.
Finding a home renovation professional
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when planning a house extension. You’re going to need to need to find a quality professional home renovation builder. You’re not going to be able to go it alone, and a home renovation expert will be right there with you every step of the way making sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Taking the next step with your house extension plans
If you’re considering a home extension and you want to take the next step, the Renovare Mt Gravatt team can help. We’re a friendly and professional team that have been assisting local homeowners with their Brisbane home extensions for more than 11 years. You can get in touch with us by calling 0477 881 387, or you can reach out via the online form to begin your home extension journey!