Questions to ask before you build an extension

Building an extension to your home can be a great option for people who want a bit of extra space without the hassle of moving. There are a few things to consider though, before you jump in and start getting quotes. There may be planning and financial points to consider, as well as neighbour relations.

In their article, we’ll take a look at some of the key points to consider before you build an extension. Ask yourself these questions and you’ll be in a good place to start your next steps.

Do I need permission to build an extension?

This is the most important thing to find out before you do anything else. You absolutely do not want to find yourself having to pull your extension down once you’ve built it. A lot of extensions in the UK won’t require planning permission – they will fall under something called permitted rights development. These allow rear extensions under certain conditions. Extensions must not take up more than half of the original land around the property and they should be built of similar materials.

There will be different rules for homes that have listed property status or that are in conservation areas. You may also need a party wall agreement if your home is connected to another property. Suffice to say, it’s important to check before you start as to whether you need planning permission.

Will my extension add value?

This is an interesting question. Most people would prefer that an extension pay for itself in the sense that the property value increases by more than the project cost. For others, this is actually less important. The value comes instead from the convenience of not having to move, of staying close to schools and work and designing an extension that works perfectly for you.

That said, if you want to sell at some point in the future, it’s good to know you’ve added some value. A simple place to start with this is to use a value my property tool online to get a baseline for what your home is worth now. You can then look at other homes that have sold locally with extensions or ask local agents for estimates of the value once your home is larger.

Can you cope with the upheaval?

You may long for a bigger kitchen and an extra bedroom, but do you have the mindset to manage a big renovation project at home? Building works are always stressful. They cause a lot of mess and, let’s be honest, often end up going over budget and over time.

If you feel confident that you can handle this, then great. Be realistic though. Not everyone is cut out to have such a level of disruption going on around them for months at a time. Short-term renting could be an option if it’s affordable and the work is going to be very intrusive. Alternatively, see if you can plan a holiday midway to give yourself a break!

Once you’ve given each of these questions some thought, you should have a solid foundation in place.