Extending your property comes with many benefits, whether you are looking to live in the house long term or whether you are looking to sell it. We have put together a few of our top tips to keeping down the costs of your extension.
SQM
The finished floor area which you are working on will be one of the main impacting factors when it comes to extending. It is important not over extend and blow your entire budget on the biggest extension, because you also want to ensure the costs do not outweigh the profit gained when selling. Whilst extending your property, you should also consider how the rest of your ground floor will be used. If you are left with unused space, you may want to think about how you can use your existing area efficiently and incorporate it with your extension.
Glazing
Glazing can be one of the most beautiful additions to your home, changing the entire environment and bringing in more light. It is key to be realistic with your budget, as glass is more expensive than using traditional materials such as bricks and block work, especially when working with large bespoke sizes. If you are trying to maximise the amount of glazing whilst keeping the costs down, it may be worth looking into openings and skylights which come in standard sizes, such as Velux windows. You’d be surprised at the effect a large Velux window can have on your room, and if finished well it certainly doesn’t have to look like the budget option.
Structure
The structure of your extension can link back to the SQM you are adding on. If you are building a large or long extension, you may require much larger steel beams to provide the necessary supports. The larger the beams get, the larger the costs. Speak with your designer or structural engineer to create a solution which uses steels of a shorter span or does not require as much. You can keep this in mind right from the get go when designing your new space.
Party Wall
You may have to notify your adjoining owners when building an extension, which requires them to consent to the works. You can save costs by talking to your neighbours about your scheme and understanding any concerns which they may have so you can address them beforehand. A dissent from your neighbours can increase the costs as they are able to appoint their own independent surveyors, whose costs you will be liable for.
Costs in the long run
The costs of extending don’t only include those immediate design and build costs. There are numerous ways the save costs in the long run by doing thing the efficient way from the start. Firstly, ensure that your initial build is built to a high quality by contractors who are experienced with the construction. A lack of competent builders can leave you with problems later on which can all add up, costing you more than doing it to a high standard the first time. Insulating and draft proofing your home will protect it against heat loss. Using double glazing is also an effective way of retaining heat which can save you some money on the heating bills. Opting for more energy efficient appliances when choosing boilers, fridge freezers and washing machines can also reduce your energy bill. Although these appliances have a high initial cost, you will most certainly get the return on them.
If you are looking to extend your property within a specific budget, our design team would be happy to guide you and offer specialist advice through the process. If you would like to begin your own project, get in touch with our team today on 020 7495 6561.
