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Thinking about extending your home? Here’s what you need to know


It’ll be pricey, stressful and may take over your life - but being prepared is your best bet to get the job done smoothly. By Luke Rix-Standing.


F


rom the grandest penthouse to the humblest converted garden shed, extensions have become


an increasingly popular option among homeowners looking to upgrade. Inflated property prices have made moving more difficult than ever, and enhancing an existing property with a conservatory, loſt conversion or basement build can be a more affordable, if not necessarily less stress- ful, alternative to a full-on relocation. Naturally, projects can vary wildly - but whatever your extension of choice, there are a few issues every would-be renovator will face. From paintwork to paperwork, here’s what you need to consider...


14 / PROPERTYMAIL


A FEW HOME TRUTHS Let’s start with the bad news. Extensions are expensive, time-consuming, and oſten headache-inducingly complicated, so it’s essential to go in with the right mindset. Every extension is, to a greater or lesser degree, specific to home and homeowner, so you’ll need to be closely involved in the project, right up until the last brick is laid. During longer projects, it’s tempting to slip into a hands-off approach, but constant communication is a must to ensure that you and your tradespeople are working towards the same goal. Secondly, you’re in it for the long-haul, and must be ready for the stress and disruption that will inevitably ensue.


Unless it’s a very small project, you can expect about 20 weeks’ worth of paperwork from the moment you submit your designs, followed by three or four months of building work at least. Most of all, you need to be very clear on what you want. Are you trying to add value to your home? Are you creating a self-sufficient space for a lodger or relative? Are you trying to fulfil your own domestic ambitions? All of this should influence the decisions you make and how much you’re prepared to spend. Any designer worth their fee will ask these questions, and the more detailed your answers, the happier you’ll be with the result.


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