The pandemic has us all craving for some time alone, away from all the commotion in the home and into an escape hole. Those working from home can truly feel the need to have a separate room for ourselves, don’t we? Or, maybe you’re looking to add a nursing room for your newborn? Instead of moving out to a new place, adding an extension to a house is a great idea.

We often see homeowners asking, “is it worth extending my house?” to which we reply, 一 yes! Extensions are the perfect solution for creating a new space within the existing home and enhancing your house. Adding an extension to a house is not only cost-effective but also adds to your property value!

We understand that building an extension in your house can be a huge investment and very risky to some. But, worry not! We’re here to list down every reason why extending your house is a worthy investment. 

Is It Worth Extending My House?

Home extensions require careful thinking and planning to pull it off. 

That’s because you already have a home that you’re comfortable living in. When the construction of the extension begins, there will be a lot of noise as contractors will be at your house almost every day for a certain period. These situations must be considered before you decide to build an extension, especially if you have children. 

Is it better to move altogether, or do I just build an extension? 

The answer to this question varies from place to place. 

For example, if you’re living in a listed property or conservation area in the UK, building an extension is no longer an option. That’s because acquiring planning permission in those places is quite tricky. 

Then again, if you’re living in a property that has limited space and thinking about an extension, then consider the following question: will I have enough room for my garden? If the answer’s no, we would suggest moving to a more spacious home. 

Deciding between moving out and adding an extension to your home can be a tad bit overwhelming, depending on how urgently you need the space. So, here are some further questions you can answer: 

  • Do you have a budget?
  • Do you have a timeline in mind? 
  • Can you see yourself using that space for the years to come? 
  • Exactly how much space do you need?

Why Should You Add An Extension If You Have The Opportunity?

We won’t lie: many homeowners think of how much value an extension adds, and for a good reason. Single-storey extensions can add up to 5-8% to the value of your home. And, if you’re on a limited budget, and want a new space, then moving into a bigger house won’t help either as house prices are increasing exponentially. Some people have to wait for months before their application is processed. 

That’s why extending a house may just be the best option out there, and here’s why:

You Don’t Need Planning Permission

You don’t need to have planning permission to build an extension for the most part. The majority of the constructions fall under “permitted development”. Permitted development is a category of rights given to you as a homeowner to make changes in your home without contacting the local authorities. You don’t have to worry about getting permission to build an extension in your house aside from those who live in “designated areas” such as national parks, conservation areas, or world heritage sites.  

However, there are some regulations your extension plan has to follow. These are:

  • The extension does not have any raised platform such as a balcony or veranda.
  • The extension does not have a satellite dish such as a microwave antenna.
  • The extension does not take up half of the property’s land.
  • The top of the extension does not exceed the highest part of the existing roof. 
  • The extension does not include a vent pipe installation such as a flue or chimney.
  • No changes will be made to the existing roof.
  • The extension will not be made forward of the side elevation if it’s facing a road, nor a principal elevation. 

There are more rules and regulations regarding permitted development, which we will suggest to take a look at if you want to know more. 

The Extension Adds Value To Your Home

Adding extensions to your home is a guaranteed ROI(Return-On-Investment). The bigger the house, the more buyers will be willing to pay! 

In order to attract buyers, your home extension needs to look as appealing to them as possible. However, just having an increased living space is not enough. Having a poorly designed extension project means there are many potential repairs and renovations that the buyers will have to pay for. That alone will make the buyers more hesitant towards buying your home.  

To ensure that your home extension project is done by trusted professional builders who have experience. 

It just so happens that JGCCSs LTD has been in this sector long enough to have that kind of experience! We’ve been designing and building quality home extensions guaranteeing clients that their house projects are in safe hands. 

Extensions Are A Great Alternative To Moving Houses

Shifting houses are no joke. Some people spend months trying to get a house that suits them. That’s why home extensions are a great solution if you’re looking for a bigger space and don’t feel like moving out of the area you’re currently in. There are also different factors to consider. For example, if you’re a growing family, moving houses becomes difficult as you don’t just have to look for houses. Now, you have to look for educational institutions for your children, check the crime rate for the area, etc. Above all, you have to look for a place that’s convenient for you(geographical distances of supermarkets, schools, your workplace, etc.). 

By staying where you’re currently residing, your children get to enjoy time with their friends, and you get to be stress-free! Not only that, but you can also save a ton of money that you can use to invest in building an extension. 

You Can Customise However You Want

The best part about adding an extension to a house is that you get to customise it however you want. From the windows to your choice of wall panelling, every part of your extension can be made bespoke to what your needs are. If it’s within the scope of construction regulations, then you’re free to tweak the design to your and your family’s needs. 

If you’re in Essex or near it, you can opt for any of our renovation services! Our team of expert designers and builders will be at your place whenever you’re free and work with you to bring your ideas to life. Our designers will make sure that your ideas are reflected accurately on the design blueprint as accurately as possible while following development regulations. 

How Much Value Does An Extension Add?

Although we discussed it to some extent, we need to talk about it in great detail because adding extensions in a home isn’t free. As extensions are supposed to be ROI, it’s only natural that you know exactly where you’re spending your money. 

How much an extension will add to your home’s value in the future depends on the property’s location, not to forget the style, size and complexity of your home’s extension. 

For example, in the UK, let’s say that you have an average 3-bedroom house with an extension that has another bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. That extension alone can add 10-12% to your property’s value. 

You have to understand the impact an extension will have on your house. For example, adding double bedrooms and bathrooms usually boosts the most value in a home. It’s essential to do some research before you ask for a professional builder’s service. 

If you’re looking to know exactly what kind of extension can be added to your property, then you should consult local property experts and builders for their advice. It would help if you also looked up the current market value of your home and the future market price once you’re done with building an extension. 

You can take a look at this next section, where we will talk about some of the most valuable home extensions in the market:

  • Single-storey extensions

Single-storey extensions are widely popular amongst homeowners in the UK and often add a solid 5-8% to your home’s value. They are commonly used to extend living rooms or kitchens to increase the living space. 

  • Double-storey extensions

Although double-storey extensions aren’t as popular as single-storey ones, they can add up to 12% to the value of a property. That’s because not only are you increasing living spaces, but assuming you are also adding bedrooms and bathrooms, which is ideal for adding value to your property. 

  • Loft Conversions

Loft conversions are among the most affordable home extensions that people get in the UK. It’s cost-effective and tends to add some 20% to the value of your home. Some people tend to use such lofts as an extra bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, which most buyers appreciate. 

  • Conservatory

Conservatories are for homeowners looking forward to increasing their living space on a budget. In the UK, the average conservatory costs somewhere around £9,500. People who add conservatories to their homes add 5-7% to their property’s value. 

  • Garage Conversions

Did you know that most people in the UK don’t use their garages as garages? They either use it as a storage space or decide to convert their garages into an area that is more useful. Those who convert their garages into bedrooms can see a steady increase of 20% in their property’s value. However, those who plan to convert their garages into anything other than a bedroom should know that there will be some 10% increase in their property’s value. 

What Adds More Value: A Conservatory or An Extension?

In general, an extension is known to add more value to your home than any other renovations done in the house. However, it all depends on the style and size of the conservatory or an extension. 

How Much Does An Extension Cost In The UK?

As mentioned before, the value of an extension of your home will depend on its size, style and design. Although there is no definitive set price for how much an extension costs, you can use the following to structure your budget:

  • 20m2 Small Extensions start from £25,000 and end somewhere around £50,000.
  • 30m2 Medium Extensions start from £37,500 and end somewhere around £67,500.
  • 50m2 Large Extensions have a costing range between £62,500 and £112, 500
  • Premium Extensions can cost you somewhere between £52,500 and £100,000

Things To Know Before You Get An Extension

As extensions tend to be expensive, there are some things you need to know about before you hire a professional construction builder. 

One of the first is being sure of what you want. It would be best if you had a clear idea of how you want to use your extension. Suppose you want to add value to your home, great! However, it won’t be useful if you can’t utilise it.

Secondly, see if you need to ask for permission. Although this has been discussed before, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Last but not least, let your neighbours know that you are getting some work done in your home so that no one can object to it later. 

In The End, The Choice Is Yours To Make!

No matter how many factors or points we list down, ultimately, the decision is yours to make. Building an extension is quite an investment; thus, making the right choice is paramount. To ensure that you’re making the right decisions, it is imperative to get an insight from experienced professionals or people who have had extensions done in their houses. 

Gaining knowledge from other people can help you prepare for a house extension. If you don’t have someone who might help you out, you can contact us for a house extension inquiry. 

If this article helped answer your question. “Is it worth extending my house?” then we hope that you’ll check out some of our other blogs about home renovations and constructions!