1. How Much Will An Extension Cost?

The quality of the finish, the number of stories you are adding, and the location’s construction codes and regulations will impact the extension’s costs. Nevertheless, a 2x4m single-storied kitchen extensions will set you back £10,000-£20,000 while a project with two-storied addition with two 4x4m room could cost roughly £80,000-£120,000.

2. Where Do I Start?

The success of a good project is based on having a solid plan. In the case of an extension, you must work with an architect or a building design company to help draw the extension’s blueprint. However, you might need a structural engineer or try this company that offers precision utility mapping in Ireland, depending on how the extension is to be built, e.g., above the garage, to assist with the calculations when producing the blueprint and ensure the structural changes comply with your location’s building codes and regulations.

3. Rules, Regulations, And Permissions

Additionally, find out if you must get planning permissions for the extension, which might fall under permitted development that does not require additional planning permission, or it might not. The permitted development requires to adhere to include:

• For a detached property, extend its rear by 8m if it is a single-story building and 3m if it is a 2-story.
  
• When extending a single-story, the addition should be under 4m in height on the eaves and ridge, with the latter’s height not exceeding that of the existing property.
  
• The rear boundary should be roughly 7m from the edge when it comes to a two-story building extension.
  
• As for extending the side of a building, this is only permitted for s single-story and by no more than half of the existing structurer’s length and limited to no more than 4m in height.
  
• The building materials for the extension and the existing property should match.
  
• The extension does not apply to the front side of the building.
  
• The new addition should not take up more than half the backyard or garden.

Suppose your property is in a natural park, conversion area, a listed locality, or an outstanding area with natural flora and fauna. In that case, you might have to contend with some extra planning permission that addresses these constraints.

You are required to comply with the building regulations even if you need planning permission or not, meaning a full plan submission will be necessary. It should adhere to the recommended practices and low the chances of discovering issues of non-compliance when building that will later be a costly fix.

4. Find A Reputable Builder

You most likely will have sorted this bit if you settled to work with a reputable design and build company. However, you should do some extensive background checks if you decide to engage an architect to actualize your plans.

Get a few recommendations from trustworthy sources if you want to find a reputable builder, preferably people that have used the company or architect before. Once you have a name to approach for the services you need, run a few background checks to ensure the contract is a decent professional. Some of the traits to look for are:

• Evidence of adequate insurance cover, having current policies that show all risks are covered
• Providing enough information that gives you an idea of the job’s timeline and costs
• Offering a payment schedule instead of asking for up-front payment
• Not suspiciously cheaper than others from whom you source price quotes
• Should offer a warranty on their work
• Must have a VAT number and can provide VAT receipts
• The contract should be comfortable when you ask or talk about past clients

5. Financing Your Extension

When it comes to financing the project, your saving will probably be your first consideration. However, it is not the best option. Below are some of the more realistic avenues worth considering when you need to borrow money to finance the construction.

If the addition is not that significant and will run into the thousands but not tens of thousands, go for a 0% credit card with an interest-free period of about one to two years.

You can use a personal loan to cover up a mid-sized extension that is anywhere within £25,000. Consider going for a bathroom and kitchen on a 0% finance deal. Nevertheless, always take note of the total repayments you make monthly and ensure you can afford them.

Re-mortgaging or a secured loan will be an ideal option for larger projects. Also, consider talking to building societies if the mortgage company does not play ball. Most of them offer better terms for home improvement loans.

6. What Do I Need To Order And When?

The contractor you hire should handling the issues of ordering the necessary materials like plasterboard, bricks, cement, and the rest for the building. But you also might want to take care of some of the things needed, and take note of the following:

• You can order the kitchen and bathroom, which you must do weeks or months before the installation date. It will be a crucial step, especially when it comes to checking the lead times and ensuring that you plan accordingly.
• Keep in mind that windows and roof lights have a lead time ranging from 8 to 10 weeks.
  
• When ordering new furnishing or finishing touches necessary for creating that dream space, try to hold off on doing it until they are needed. It will help avoid straining your cash flow and finding an area for them more so when your property is cramped and disorganized by the ongoing construction. Wait until the dust settles then bring in the finishes that will complete on the new addition.
  
• The made-to-order items (bespoke) often have extended lead teams and require adequate planning to ensure you do not find yourself stuck waiting for that new couch you ordered to arrive.
  
• Ensure that all that your order is under your name, not the contractor.

7. Tradesmen And Installers

You might consider hiring independent tradesmen and the main building contractor to handle different aspects of the project. For instance, you might know of an excellent plumber or a contractor specializing in installing windows and roofing.

You should communicate your ideas and desires upfront and handle much of the aspects of coordinating their visits if one is unwilling to take on extra responsibility for the other due to disparity concerns is skills or another reason.