Are you content with your current living situation but yearn for more room to stretch out? It’s the wave of the future to enlarge your current dwelling. Here are some guidelines to follow if you want to add on to your home, keeping in mind that every house is as unique as the people who live in it.
Get All Approvals First
To solve this problem, we need the help of professionals. Don’t freak out if you need to apply for planning permission for your new extension because of its size, shape, or scale.
Finding a designer who is willing to go above and beyond is essential because there is no foolproof formula for designing extensions due to the fact that each local council is unique. It’s not a system to be mocked that most council websites provide a lot of information and design guides to make sure architecture enhances rather than detracts from the local area.
Building Regulations Approval is required to ensure that your extension complies with national construction standards even if it does not require Planning Permission.
It’s always preferable to avoid unprofessional procurement and the dreaded “cowboy builder,” so building regulations are put in place to protect designs by ensuring that buildings are constructed correctly and inspections are conducted along the way.
Talk to Your Neighbours
Win over the neighbourhood! A planning application’s chances at approval are sometimes determined by whether or not neighbours object to it, and this is not always the case. Show them what you have in mind, talk to them about the design, and explain why this is your ultimate goal. They will have a much better chance of understanding your proposal afterwards.
Set a Budget
This may seem like a minor step in the direction of making your dream a reality, but it is easy to go over budget on even the smallest of projects. A good rule of thumb is to budget between 1,000 and 2,000 euros per square meter, with an additional 10 percent to 20 percent for unexpected costs.
Consider not only the cost of the construction itself, but also the costs of architects, engineers, consultants, value-added tax, and any permits required by regional, state, or federal agencies.
You should set reasonable goals for your spending if you want to build your dream house, which involves more than just adding on a new room. Beautiful and practical environments are the result of a multitude of factors coming together.
What Is the Purpose of the Extension?
Most people believe they know the answer to this question, but the reality is that there are often more viable options than can be accommodated within the available space and budget.
It could be a peaceful retreat after a long day at the office for one person, or a lively gathering spot for friends. Because of this, you should think about the people who will be using the space, as well as the times and activities that will take place there. Do you long for the privacy of an extra bedroom, or would you rather build a house extension with an open floor plan and a larger kitchen, dining area, and living room?
Consider the Location and Setting
The location of your home plays a significant role in determining the look and feel of the addition you build. The best extensions are either in harmony with their surroundings or provide a striking contrast to them.
No matter where you’re building an addition—a rural village or a city suburb—the environment is bound to influence the final product. You must be near a brook, right? An area near a train track that is often noisy. What kinds of animals live in the woods? Urban street life?
Research Different Materials
The extension’s material finishes are just as important as the structure itself when it comes to the design process. Do your research before entering the minefield, because there are many options to choose from.
If you want your new addition to have a rustic look and feel, consider using timber cladding, which is gaining popularity as a building material. Large panes of glass and a combination of white render and grey slate would create a contemporary extension with a clean, crisp appearance.
Think Outside the Box
Since an extension can go in any direction—upward into the loft, laterally as an addition, or downward into a basement—there is no such thing as a “standard” extension.
If you want your extension to stand out from the crowd, consider including some unique features, such as an unusual shape or a concealed glass panel at the junction of old and new. Always remember to show them why residential architecture is so exciting by pushing the limits further and further.