When considering whether to build a home extension, it is important to balance cost, value, and enjoyment.
Building an extension is a significant undertaking, so it is important to make a list of your requirements and set a budget. A professional can then work with you, in order to create the perfect space.
Home Extensions
Increasing house prices and stamp duty requirements now mean that many are looking to extend their home when they feel they may have outgrown it, rather than move.
In the UK, a house extension can cost from anywhere between £2,000 and £3,500 per square meter. However, a single storey extension can boost the value of a home by up to 20%. This future proofs your investment.
They also help to create a completely tailored space that is bespoke to your requirements, without the need for moving home and the disruption and costs that this entails.
Extensions are also a great way to streamline indoor and outdoor space, or create an environment perfect for open plan living.
Home Extension Specialists
Building an extension requires careful and professional planning. Building regulations and planning permission needs to be carefully considered, as well as ensuring that your build has access to power and water mains supply.
Companies specializing in home extensions Painswick, such as https://precisionbuildersltd.co.uk/services/home-extensions/painswick/ can help turn your plans into a reality.
By enlisting the help of a dedicated professional, you can be sure of a high-quality build finish, which is paramount in ensuring that you get maximum value from your extension investment.
Loft, garage, conservatory or garden room
An extension does not always mean building out across the garden. A loft conversion works within the existing structure and can add an extra bedroom, with an en suite shower room if you want one.
Converting a garage is another way to use a structure you already have. It keeps costs down and takes none of your land, and the space can become a dining room, a granny annexe or a playroom.
Many conservatories do not need planning permission, and they bring in plenty of light as well as extra room. A garden room is another option that often avoids planning permission. Because it is separate from the house, it works well as a home office, a bar or a guest bedroom. Whether the extra space is for a growing family, an elderly relative or working from home, weighing these options against your budget is part of deciding whether an extension is worth it.
Planning a timber framed extension
A timber framed extension can be a lovely addition to a home, but it needs careful planning if it is to look right and fit well. Start by settling your budget, then work through the design choices, such as the floor area, ceiling height, the type of wood, the width of the windows and the hardware for the doors.
Choosing the right contractor is the next big decision, especially for oak. Many contractors build the frame on site in one continuous project, which lets you keep an eye on the work as it progresses and raise any concerns before it is finished.
Check early whether the extension needs planning permission and make sure everything is in place before work begins. A reputable firm will usually ask you to confirm this first. Look for a company with plenty of references from past clients, as getting the paperwork and the builder right from the start prevents problems later on.
Why oak frames add value and character
Any extension adds space, but an oak frame brings character and charm as well. Oak is widely seen as a luxury material, so it can raise a home’s resale value further, helping the extra building cost pay for itself.
Oak is attractive, strong and reliable, and it creates a warm, cosy feel. It is also a sustainable choice, since offcuts and waste wood can be reused. It suits a wide range of homes, from post-war houses to period cottages, and works for barn-style extensions and oak frame conservatories alike. It also allows features such as glazed gable ends and vaulted ceilings, and a well-built frame can last for hundreds of years.
Oak extensions are often quicker to build too. Most of the frame is made and pre-assembled off site while groundworks go ahead at the house, then it is put together in days or weeks depending on its size and complexity. Because oak is much lighter than concrete, the foundations can be simpler.
