5 things to consider when extending your home

There is some great news for those looking to add an extension to their home in Greater London. The government has permanently extended permitted development rights. 

 

In May 2013, the government increased the size limits for the depth of single-storey domestic extensions for detached houses from 4m to 8m and from 3m to 6m for all other houses.  

 

This move was originally planned to last for three years and sparked a spike in domestic building projects in and around the M25 as homeowners sought to make the most of soaring property values by adding loft conversions, ground floor extensions and other remodelling work to increase a home’s size.  

The government then extended these rights until 30th May 2019, which had homeowners rushing to extend their family’s living space. Thankfully, you do not have to act with such urgency now. 

 

The only limit is on large extensions which must be approved by local authorities using the neighbourhood consultation scheme. For planning enquiries in New Cross, Forest Hill or Deptford visit Lewisham Council’s planning information website. For planning enquiries in Peckham, check with Southwark council’s website. 

 

If you wish to take advantage of the permitted development rights and add an extension, there are a few things you need to consider first...

1. Is my budget realistic?  

Unless money is no object to you, the cost of the building project is one of the most fundamental questions that needs consideration.  

After all, there’s little point in spending £100,000 on a home extension if it will only add £50,000 to the value of your property.  

Before you start buying breeze blocks or arranging skip hire, set yourself a reasonable budget. Remember, most professionals in the construction trade will not include VAT in their quotes, so factor that into your cost calculations.    

Helpful tip #1 

Labour costs make up between a half and two-thirds of the budget for a typical extension in the London area. While doing some of the work yourself could help you save on labour costs, it will take much longer and the quality of the extension could suffer.  

2. What do I want from my building project?  

Do you want your building project to provide space for a growing family, a home office or gym? Do you want to make better use of your home’s current layout or even add off-street parking?  

According to Mortgage Saving Experts,  

"Taking time to consider what you want your building project to achieve will help you ensure it delivers maximum value for money". 

3. Will I need professional help?  

Yes. When you think you know what you want, you will need to have professional plans drawn up.  

Helpful tip #2  

The Architects Registration Board has a searchable database of 34,000 professionals around the country at arb.org.uk.  

The Royal Institute of British Architects also has a ‘find an architect’ service available at architecture.com.   

And if your building work affects a shared wall or is within 6m of your neighbour’s property, you will need to comply with the Party Wall etc Act 1996.  

Many building firms now employ their own architects and have legal specialists to deal with all the legislation involved in such projects. They will also arrange the delivery of any building materials the project requires. However, this will add to their costs.  

4. How long will my home be a building site?  

The bigger the project, the longer it will take to complete. Even though you do not need planning permission, you still need the consent of your neighbours. Under the aforementioned neighbourhood consultation scheme, your local authority must give your neighbours the opportunity to object to your plans after it receives them. In fact, it can take about four weeks for a local authority to give your plans the go-ahead.  

When building work gets underway, it can take up to three months to complete even a single-storey extension. And if you intend to fit a bathroom or kitchen in part of your new living space, this can also add to the time it takes to complete.  

5. Has a timetable been set? 

Once you have picked your builder, it is vital that you make sure you know the terms of your arrangement by completing a formal contract. You should agree on a timetable with a predefined completion date. Although it is best to keep this as flexible if possible, as it may be subject to the availability of certain materials, weather or changes you make to the extension's plans.   

Although most building firms have a cashflow and credit with local building suppliers, if your builder asks for a down payment you should only agree to pay for the first stage of work in advance. And once the building work is finished, make sure you are fully satisfied with the work before paying the outstanding fees. 

Helpful tip #3  

To avoid disputes, maintain a dialogue with your builder and raise any issues when they first become a cause for concern. 

Space has overtaken location as the first and foremost concern for homeowners, according to new research. 

Bigger rooms topped the list of the most important criteria when shopping for a new home, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners by Ratedpeople.com. And one in six people are dissatisfied with the size of the rooms in their home.  

While the cost, time and disruption caused by a major building project can be daunting, the benefits of extra space and the value this adds to your property will be felt for many years to come. 

if you require help recycling your household or commercial waste in the Peckham, New Cross, Forrest Hill, Deptford and Southwark areas contact us.