4 Key Factors to Consider Before Building a House Extension
- Aug 19, 2016
- 3 min read
We have carried out some research to identify the steps you need to consider, dependent on what your requirements are, before you get an idea of what kind of cost is involved when building a house extension.
We have put together a number of points that will help you to focus on what your priorities are, within your particular budget, when you are considering building an extension:
1. Floor Area
To start with, you will need to determine the optimium floor space (sq m2 or sq ft2) that you ideally want. When you ask for a consultation, your building contractor will want to know you will be asked for the floor space of the associated renovation works.
2. Type of Construction
Option 1 - Basic level construction is a more simple and straightforward build design.
Option 2 - Standard level construction will have some structural and/or site elements that are a little complicated.
Option 3 - High level construction implies that there is an increased level of complexity, the materials involved are also of a high quality and there can be difficulties anticipated with the site and/or the structure itself.
3. Finished Appearance
This is really the 'face' of the room and how it's going to look aesthetically once your extension has been built. There are a number of choices that you can have at this stage. Again, this will come down to factors such as budget and even time. For example, painting your room will cut down on costs and also allow you to invest in other things that you feel are more important to get right. However, if you don't have the time you could be looking at an uncompleted space for a while. The services that you can request from a building contractor can range across a fairly broad spectrum including:
a) Only painting and floors.
b) Basic finishing involving slight changes.
c) Average finishing to include some plumbing, electrical, structural and decoration work.
d) As above, the result is an average finish but would also include the installation of a kitchen.
e) An element of luxury finishing including extensive tiling, hardwood floors and handmade joinery.
f) Upper end luxury finishes including for example stone flooring, underfloor heating and high specification for any sanitary ware.
4. Green Considerations
Decisions regarding whether to include 'green' aspects has become much more popular now not just because we've all become much more aware of the need to conserve our natural environment. It also has the potential to benefit homeowners in terms maximising energy efficiency as thus helping to reduce utility and consumption costs.
a) Solar thermal panels.
b) Ultra efficient thermal glazing.
c) Mechanical heat recovery ventilation system.
d) Home energy management systems.
e) Insulation.
f) Heat pumps.
g) Photo-voltaic solar panels.
h) Rain-harvesting, storage and recycling.
i) Wind turbine.
The summary above will guide you through the initial thought process so that you are clear in terms of what you need and what your project objectives are. This means that when you go to your list of contacts to get quotes you will be able to provide them with a much clearer picture in terms of what you expect to achieve. In turn, it will give you a better idea in relation to transparent 'like for like' costs. Good luck!
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