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Undoubtedly, there will be a time when your situation and lifestyle dictates that you need more space. Whether you’re creating a family playroom or an office-at-home, or gaining a self-contained ‘granny annex’ or a guest bedroom with en-suite, your choice is simple: move to a larger house or extend your existing property.

Each option comes with different cost and it always pays to shop around for professional advice and an idea of price before deciding what to do.

Thinking of moving?

Moving to a bigger place could be the solution, as it may bring added benefits, such as a location that suits you better with the perfect sized garden.

That said, this can prove expensive because of ‘hidden costs’, ie fees for:

• estate agency services

• legal work by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer

• stamp duty land tax, which varies with the property’s value

• rearranging your mortgage, not to mention any increased mortgage repayments

• removal services.

It may be possible to make savings by doing some of this work yourself, eg selling your home, taking on the legal work and moving your possessions.

Thinking of staying put?

If you have enough room – plus any necessary planning permission and building regulations approval – and don’t mind living in what is effectively a building site until the work is completed, a more cost-effective option might be to extend outward, upward or downward

Of course there are necessary expenses to consider, including:

• your architect’s fee for drawing up the plans

• money due to the council for planning permission and building regulations approval

• construction work*, which, in addition to your builder’s original quote, could include extra charges for a:

• structural engineer to calculate the size of RSJ (rolled steel joist) needed to support the wall above any new gap created by knocking down an outside wall to form the entrance to your extension
• quantity surveyor to calculate the cost of the RSJ
• change to the original job specification, eg for additional work underground

• fitting out and decoratingyour extension

• possible re-landscaping of your garden.

* You could help keep the costs in-check by doing some work yourself and/or asking family and friends to lend a hand.

Costs checklist

Many factors will influence the final price of your project, including how much you’re willing, and able, to take on; this checklist is a useful reminder about the aspects you’ll need to consider.

Don’t forget, if you’re unsure about how to tackle something, or if you have any doubts about your capabilities, it could be less hassle to hire a professional.