There is a time in every household where almost overnight it seems as though there is no longer the space you need in your home for your growing family, but moving can be an expensive option.
So, why not consider an extension instead? By contacting recommended builders to come and help you on the project you may have it finished in next to no time – although there are points to take into account before the first brick is laid.
The initial step is to carefully evaluate what your motivation for expanding your property is. It may be that you simply need the additional space, or it could be that you are keen to add value and attract buyers – whatever the reason, you need to think about how you will best achieve this ambition.
Next, you should decide what extension it is you want – and there are so many to choose from.
As the heart of the family home, kitchen annexes are particularly popular.
While in rural farmhouses it is common to have a large kitchen, many city terraces were designed with small rooms that were quick and inexpensive to heat.
Often, the kitchen was among the smallest of these, meaning that sometimes there is barely room for you to put in a table and chairs for your family to sit around.
However, by extending your kitchen out of the back of your house you could have the extral floor space you need to really make this a hub for your household.
In addition, if you build a groundfloor extension, there may be scope to do the same on the floor above, using the new structure as a foundation.
Today, the bathroom is one of the biggest draws for buyers but in the UK, but traditional properties often have washrooms of a very limited size – they don’t refer to it as the smallest room in the house for nothing.
However, you could have the large and luxurious bathroom you have always wanted if you extend, or you might even choose to build a second washroom so that arguments over it are banished!
First floor extensions can also be built over structures like garages and in addition to a new bathroom you could use this added floor space as an extra bedroom, a den for the kids, an office or even a home gym – the choice is endless!
All of these extensions are designed to provide you with practical and functional spaces in your home, but it may be that you simply want a new room in which to relax and not do much.
In recent decades, thanks to the widespread adoption of central heating, conservatories have become exceptionally popular.
By building a structure like this you can benefit from beautiful views of your garden and plenty of natural light flooding into your property, as well as making your living space larger.
Of course, there are much smaller options available to you that could still increase the value of your property if that is what you would like.
For example, a porch is a great addition to a house and bricklayer jobs like this don’t take much time to complete. It helps to prevent all of the warm air flooding out of your home every time you open the front door, while it also provides an additional layer of security.
Once you have decided what you want, your next step is to check whether you will need planning permission and then apply for it.
Extensions like porches sometimes do not require council approval as long as they meet the size requirements, but it is important you always check, because if you go ahead without authorisation you can be made to take the new structure down.
Another consideration is whether your scheme will effect a party wall – a boundary shared by you and your neighbour – in any way. If this is the case you may wish to rethink your plans as you might have to give them notification and get their consent.
In terms of your neighbours, there are other things to keep in mind. Will your extension overlook their property? Will it block the natural light that reaches their home and land? All of these points must be addressed before you go ahead.
Of course, you could always avoid these issues by opting for a conversion rather than an extension, such as by transforming your basement, garage or loft.
However, by planning correctly you should be able to settle on a great extension that provides you with everything you are looking for.
Once you have done this, you can get on with looking for qualified tradesmen to get started on the brickwork or plastering walls.
Before you know it, you will be able to make use of your new extension and take advantage of all that new space.