Adding an extension to your house is an exciting prospect for any homeowner! If you're itching to get started, well, we don't blame you. Home extensions contribute much-needed space, improve storage options, and add comfort for your growing family and value to your property. However, they can be costly and time-consuming, causing some disruption to your routine along the way.
Good planning and clear expectations are essential to ensure you get the best results for your next home renovation project. That's why we've highlighted the five most important steps to take before adding an addition to your house. Keep reading to learn all about them.
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5 things to consider before adding an addition to your home
How to make the most of your home extension
Ready to start planning? Read through our top 5 home extension tips below!
It may be tempting to take a sledge hammer to that rusty old shower enclosure you've grown to despise. But before you start ripping your outdated bathroom apart, read through these important tips for adding a new addition to your home.
Before you start knocking down walls and picking out furniture, it's a good idea to plan your next remodel with trustworthy home addition builders to ensure that your dream sun room is even possible. Nobody wants to get halfway through a home extension only to realise the job cannot be completed, or worse, finish and realise the measurements or materials they used were wrong.
Depending on the scale of your home extension, you will need project management and expert knowledge to pull it off. Additionally, a professional builder can guarantee that your home extensions are structurally sound and that all site conditions and building codes are up to compliance.
Always check with your local council regarding necessary approvals or regulations before starting your home extensions. Whether you're doing a ground floor extension or second-storey house extensions, your local council (or even state government) might have something to say about what you can do on your property.
This could be in the form of a height restriction or a limit on the changes you can make if you have a heritage property. This may simply require a formal planning process with close liaison with your building surveyor, or you may just need to submit your plans for approval to the appropriate municipal body.
In the process toward your dream home, you may need to move out while plumbing, electrics or structural changes take place. If you don't have the extra space or don't want to crowd your family room, it's important to have a backup plan for accommodation so you don't find yourself in a difficult situation.
Even if your renovations are happening at the other end of the house, the noise and dust might be too much to bear, and it may be unsafe for you to stay. Working with your builders, you should be able to get a picture of your timeline and keep communication open so that you can plan in advance. Perhaps this is the perfect time to take that holiday!
Give your neighbours advanced notice of your building plans to ensure they know there will be some extra noise and dust coming from your house. Not only is it polite; in some case, it's the law. Disgruntled neighbours have more power than you might think, stopping construction in its tracks and costing you precious time and money with just one complaint. There may even be consent forms your neighbours need to sign, and your builder can give you a clear idea of the construction timelines so your renovation goes according to plan.
It's no secret that a well-planned home addition can increase the resale value of your home. So, unless you've found your forever home, consider how you can increase your house's property value with your next home extension. As a bonus, any custom home build or renovation that you complete will allow you to tailor your house's floorplan to your family.
On the other hand, try to avoid anything that will devalue your home, such as a floor plan that limits the flow or cramps the space. Instead, consider what you can add to improve comfort and liveability, such as temperature and lighting control. Investing in high-quality fittings and finishes will make your home addition worth it when it comes time to sell.
You're likely performing a home extension because of some specific pain points in your current design or floor plan. Perhaps your house's style is outdated, or the floorplan causes consistent traffic jams during the morning or afternoon rush out the door.
Whatever your reason is for renovating, keep this goal at the forefront of your plans. With so many options before you during a custom home build, it can be easy to get distracted by new paint jobs and fancy fixtures, forgetting the reason you started in the first place.
The addition should blend seamlessly with the rest of your home, so you, your guests and future buyers alike can't even tell that the addition is new. Cohesion is key, and high-quality workmanship will create a blend of old and new that improves the bigger picture. The only way to achieve this is by working with a professional crew of builders who have worked on homes just like yours.
Your search is over with A-Class Building & Construction.
As home extension experts, we can create designs that are both functional and beautiful, finished to the highest standard. Too often we see DIY jobs go wrong and engaging with a professional team from the get-go will give your home extension the best chance at success. We can provide complete service from the concept and design to construction and after-build care.
We are here to help you realise your dream of a spacious, beautiful home with a stress-free, straightforward building process. Our experienced team works closely with you throughout the journey, so you will feel confident and communicate well at every step. With our experience and passion, we will find a solution for every hurdle and a way to make your dream come to life.
In order for us to get a clear picture of your goals, please fill out our short quote questionnaire here, or give us a call on 0414 183 503 to chat about all things home extensions.
