At least once in our lives, we all run out of space in our homes. Starting off as a young couple with our foot on the first rung of the housing ladder, the first property is, for most people, quite small. After all, it is not the intention that we spend the rest of our lives there. We start a family and space in our home begins to dwindle. The next property we buy may be the one where our roots are deeply set. We usually have a lot more freedom of choice when buying our second house as our existing home will often provide good deposit, and a boost when moving up the ladder. Our families begin to grow in number and size. It is time to think about extending the home again. Perhaps we love the place we live, or maybe the thought of moving is just too horrific. Whatever our reasons, it is time to move on to the next stage in our suburban lives and build an extension.
I will give an outline here of the process you will need to go through when planning to extend your home.
Architect
The first step to take is to source a good architect. Ideally they would be found from trusted recommendation. The architect will begin the process of your build and help you through to the end. Firstly, they will survey your home and discuss possible solutions for your extension. They will take account of services running underground and all of the local building regulations. Detailed plans, material lists and estimated costs will be drawn up for you. The architect can often recommend a suitable, trusted, building company to carry out the work for a fair price. The architect will point out costs that you may not have considered; such as delivery charges, utility feed relocation and even waste removal by companies like Smith Recycling Skip Hire and other reliable companies online. If you’re looking into it and find yourself asking “What size skip do I need?” then other companies in the industry like Red Skip Hire may be able to answer your questions.
Planning Permission
You are highly likely to need approval from the local planning department before any ground is broken. Starting the work prematurely can be a costly mistake. Extensions, or even whole buildings, regularly have to be demolished because people thought they could get away without permission. The planning department will inspect the plans and accept, refuse, or ask for alterations to them. The architect will then alter the plans as needed.
Inspection
The day comes for breaking ground. It is an exciting time, though it may be a while before you can relax, now work has begun.
The foundations will be excavated in accordance with the building plans.
The building inspector will have to be notified. Sometimes the concrete can be poured or the inspector may need to see the trench first. The decision is largely down to the inspector. The build will need to be inspected at various stages and signed off by the inspector before any further work can proceed. It is best if you can cultivate a good relationship with them as they are often able to advise you if problems occur. They are looking after your best interests.
Breaking Through
Possibly the most exciting time in the build is when all the work has been carried out, that can be, outside. The day has come to break through and link the extension to your home. Watch out though, this is the point where dust finds its way into every nook and cranny of your home for the next month or two.
Success
The process will now involve various tradesmen, visiting at different times, to carry out their part in the project. If your project is particularly ambitious, then you might even need to use this time to research skip sizes to ensure that all of the waste from your construction site can be removed effectively. Stay positive, you are on the last leg, and it is all uphill from here.
At last you are the owner of a magnificent extension that has provided more room and added value to your home. Then, one by one, the kids grow up and move out. Before long you have more space than you know what to do with. You can’t win.