Builders Extension Types

The choice is yours

 

However you choose to gain more space, ie a basement or loft conversion or an outwards extension of one or more storeys, and whatever its purpose, ie for home or business use, before starting your project you should always:

 

• check your title deeds to make sure they don’t contain any restrictive covenants that could affect your proposed extension, eg its height or use; if any doubt, contact a suitably qualified solicitor

• talk to your neighbours as soon as possible to discuss any concerns they may have, especially if planning permission is needed and it means you can avoid altering your plans once your application is being considered

• get any necessary planning permission and building regulations approval

• tell your mortgage lender and household insurer about your extension in case it affects the nature of their interest in your property or the terms of their business with you.

 

A traditionally built extension

 

Traditionally built extensions made from materials such as brick, flint or stone remain popular compared with modern PVCu double-glazed constructions like conservatories.

And although likely to be a more expensive choice, planning regulations can dictate that traditional materials and construction methods are used, while on other occasions mixing old and new just won’t look right.

 

The benefits of a solid construction include: 

 

• easier creation of:
• multi-storey extensions
• separate rooms
• better insulation, thanks to having cavity walls, ie inner wall; cavity, which can be filled with insulating material; outer wall

 

They’re likely to be cheaper because it’s easier to:

• conceal services, such as electricity cables and water pipes
• install finishing touches, like electrical sockets, cupboards and light fittings.

 

Such room(s) will take longer to build and – because of the materials used – be more expensive than a conservatory-type extension; buildings regulations approval is also necessary.

 

A multi-storey extension

 

If you’re considering extending your home, it’s probably worth giving some thought to stretching upwards as well as outwards.

 

Although a multi-storey costs more to build more than a single-level extension, it won’t be double the price because:

 

• the roof – which will cover all storeys – is a large part of the cost
• economies of scale can be achieved by buying bigger quantities of raw materials and reducing the cost per square metre
• of reduced labour charges, thanks to the craftsmen and sub-contractors having more work to do, with consequently less waiting time

• some costs are unaffected by the number of storeys, ie:
• Planning Permission 
• ground clearance and subsequent re-landscaping.

 

* while more expensive, a pitched version will offer a better return on investment as well as looking nicer than a flat roof; for more information, please visit our roofing website at www.roofing.quotatis.co.uk

 

Adding an extra floor and using it to create a master bedroom with en suite, for example, can substantially increase the value of your home, possibly taking it in to the next price bracket. But you should be wary of out-pricing your property: people may be unwilling to buy yours because the surrounding homes are significantly smaller.

You will, of course, have to connect your new upper storey to the rest of the house. Unless you can access it from a landing, the solution is to add a corridor but, as well as creating an uninviting dark space, this will mean making another room smaller.

 

A conservatory

 

Conservatories are an increasingly popular extension option, largely due to:

 

• improvements in double glazing technology that have made PVCu constructions very price-competitive, compared with a brick-built or wooden versions;

• their use to bridge the gap between home and garden, which is very useful for variable climates like the UK

• being exempt from many building control regulations, subject to limits and conditions listed at each UK country’s planning portal:

 

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

 

Of course, your choice of materials will be influenced by the importance of your extension’s final look and your budget.

 

For example, wooden window frames are more expensive and higher maintenance than their PVCu equivalent, which are inappropriate for some homes.

 

Similarly, conservatory roofs can be made of plastic – this is a cheaper option than glass and will discolour quickly. But, for safety reasons, all conservatory sides have to be glazed.

 

Building a dwarf wall for the lower third of your conservatory will make it look and feel integral to your property but also increases the price.

 

As for the ‘style’ of your conservatory, every manufacturer has its own label for each of its designs, making it a good idea to decide which elements appeal and finding the model you like best, eg one with simple geometric windows.

 

And the layout of your house and garden can affect the shape – and price – of your conservatory: basically, the simpler the look, the cheaper it will be, but don’t forget to budget for electricity, heating, fixtures and fittings.

 

How about a garden room?

 

An alternative to a conservatory comes in the shape of a stand-alone garden room, ie a living area in the garden that isn’t attached to the house.

 

This type of extension can provide much-needed extra space, eg a guest bedroom or home studio, at fraction of the cost of moving to a bigger property and without the associated hassles.

You can be very creative in your choice of design and materials… Anything from a wooden tree house to a brick-built summerhouse or a stylish steel and glass office – your ideas are only limited by your imagination and getting the planning permission and building

regulations approval that’s needed for most garden rooms.

 

If it’s is to be used all year round, your garden room will be more expensive because of the need for damp-proofing, insulation, lighting, heating and ventilation, not to mention any integral kitchen or bathroom facilities.

 

An office at home

 

With more people working or studying from home, not to mention the increased use of computers for recreational use, there’s a big demand for a ‘proper’ office area, instead of using a corner of any room with a spare power supply and some kind of desk.

 

While using the smallest bedroom will probably be OK for home-based study – particularly if wireless internet connection is available – somebody who runs their business from home is likely to need a larger area with multiple power supplies – for a printer, phone, fax, shredder etc – and plenty of storage space.

 

An office’s position is important. A business that is likely to received clients or deliveries may be better placed in an extension at the front of a property, possibly with its own entrance, while a creative individual might need a quieter aspect, eg with a view of the back garden.

 

Don’t forget, if you’re also after extra sleeping quarters for guests, a good quality sofa bed will double-up as a relaxation area in your office.

 

Making the most of your garage

 

As is common with an integral garage – and any outbuilding – the space could converted into something more useful than a home for your vehicles, eg a hobby or utility room or office.

 

The argument is even stronger if this room is already connected to the existing electricity, heating and plumbing supplies because and it shouldn’t take too much work to make it habitable.

 

Similarly, an attached garage can be built over to provide a first floor extension, such as an extra bedroom. And if there’s enough space, the ground floor could be extended to provide a workshop area.

 

Don’t forget, a garage can be added to your property as an extension in its own right.

 

A home gym

 

Having your own gym facilities on site is a good way to make sure expensive leisure centre fees aren’t wasted because of having to travel to use equipment at specific times.

Including a shower room is a good idea, perhaps with the added luxury of a relaxing hot tub, if your budget will allow.

 

You can install a gym in an extension on any level but will need to:

 

• consider the weight of any machinery or any power lifting weights: a concrete floor may be necessary, making it advisable to consult a structural engineer
• check the position and strength of any ceiling joists if apparatus is to be suspended from them
• include adequate ventilation if using a basement as a gym

 

Have a sufficient electrical supply because:

 

• even simple bits equipment with programmable consoles need power
• you’ll probably want to run a sound system, TV or PC as you workout
• trailing wires are a health hazard.

 

A room for your pool

 

Although a swimming pool may be considered a luxury purchase – and one that gives a poor return on investment – building a room to house one shouldn’t be too much more than for any other extension.

 

 

The cost is reflected in the size of the pool and whether – and to what extent – it’s set below ground level, ie if a supporting steel sub-structure is need for the pool with foundations to support the walls and roof.

A conservatory-style extension offers good value for money for smaller pools but as size increases, a traditionally constructed building is a better buy.

 

You may wish to consider including a shower and changing area in the poolroom to make the swimming experience more comfortable and avoid wet people streaming through the house. And, if your budget can run to it, you could allow extra space for a sauna, hot tub or whirlpool spa.

 

Building such an extension is an expert job so you should always employ an experienced swimming pool contractor rather than a general builder.