If you need more living space, you have two options; improve or move. Moving can be expensive and stressful, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners are choosing to improve and not move. An extension can be a great way to add some much-needed square footage to your home.

Whether you want a simple kitchen extension or are planning to go all out with a full, two storey build, read our guide below on how to plan your house extension.

How much does an extension cost?

A kitchen or side return extension can cost somewhere between £30K-£50K and a double storey extension can cost upwards of £75K. Of course, how much your extension will cost, will depend on build specifications, the proposed size of the extension and the materials used. For more information on cost, take a look at our extension costs page.

If you are adding an extension to add value to your property, be mindful of the ceiling prices in your area; you do not want to spend more than the house is worth. So, make sure you research this if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future.

Planning permission for an extension

You don’t always necessarily need planning permission for an extension; however, you may need to get planning permission if:

• You will exceed your permitted development rights with this work
• You live in a conservation area
• You live in a listed building
• The extension is more than half the area of land around the original house

Permitted development rights means you can carry out a certain amount of building work and changes without having to make a planning application. There are certain conditions and rules which include:

• The rear wall of a detached home can be extended by up to 8m to the rear of the property, for a single storey extension.
• For a double story extension, a rear wall can only be extended by up to 3m
• The rear wall of a terraced or semi-detached property can only be extended by up to 6m
• A single-storey extension cannot be any higher than 4m at the ridge and the eaves
• The ridge height of any extension cannot be higher than the existing property
• A double story extension cannot be closer than 7m to the rear boundaries

There can be local variations to these rules, so make sure you check with your own planning department. If you use a specialist extension builder, like us, then we can help you with any planning considerations.

Building regulations for an extension

All building projects, including extensions, must comply with building regulations, whether or not you need planning permission. Building regulations cover a range of factors that include fire safety, drainage, insulation, plumbing and electrical safety, amongst others.

As homeowners, you are legally responsible for ensuring that your build conforms to current building regulations. Building control has to be appointed by yourself independently from the builder, so they remain impartial. You can either employ someone to inspect the build from your council or from a private firm. This will need to be done at the start of the project as they come at various intervals to inspect the work done. Once the build is complete, they will issue a building control certificate.

To live on site or find other accommodation

When undertaking renovation work on your house, such as an extension, you have to consider whether or not you plan to live in the property while the build is being carried out. It is often possible to live on site throughout the project, but this can mean that the build may take longer to complete. Expect there to be some mess, dust and noise. If you are not prepared to live with the disruption, then it may be best to find alternative accommodation. Options include:

• Staying in a short-term rental
• Moving in with family or friends
• Travelling while the work is being carried out
• Staying in a hotel

If you want to improve your house with an extension, contact us today for a free site survey.