Extensions
December 23, 2019
Home Extension Or New Build
For many homes, there comes a time when more space or rooms are required and a choice needs to be made between extending the current house or moving out to a bigger one. The decision is typically made based on various factors, including house extension costs, emotional attachment to the house, house value after the extensions and the feasibility for extensions.
A house extension or renovation can be more complicated than a new build, as there can be unknown factors that crop up as the work progresses. There may even be requirements of a change in the house plans. It is hence important to work with a Certified building company such as ours that specialise in renovations and extensions and who are highly experienced, competent, sincere and client-centric.
Sometimes based on our initial discussions and your budget, it is also likely that the best option is a partial deconstruction. This is where it may be best to demolish and rebuilt or extend parts of the house, while other sections may be retained as is or cosmetic renovation undertaken.
We work with you to explore the best options based on your current and future needs and vision.
Extend Out, Up Or Down
We undertake all kinds of house extension works; be it along the same level, a level up, a level down or even a combination of these. Extending a house can involve compliance, excavation and strengthening costs. Depending on your priorities, budget and building compliance requirements, you can choose to:
- Extend Out: These can include additional bedrooms, ensuite bathroom, open plan kitchen–dining–living area, side return extension of a duplex/ terraced house, wrap around extension, etc. Space permitting, this could be the more cost-effective than building up or down.
- Extend Up: This can be the preferred option when you want to almost double the space of your current single level house; including better views, storage space and use of the natural light.
- Extend Down: These are typically basement extensions and can be built to create additional bedrooms, rumpus room, storage space, home office, garage, etc. It is extremely important to ascertain that the building’s structure allows for this extension and take into consideration other aspects such as ventilation, lighting, drainage, waterproofing, etc.
Our House Extension Process
Our team of house extension builders can advise you on the feasibility of single-storey, double-storey or even triple-storey extensions. We can also advise you on the council requirements, time-frame, a pretty rough estimate, materials and other queries you may have. The house extension cost approximation at this stage is based on costs related to design, materials, construction, compliance and other requirements such as demolition, groundworks, fittings and finishings. The architectural design team can work with you on a concept plan for a better visualisation of the house with the extensions in place. On your confirmation to proceed with the project, the designers develop the working drawings, also known as house plans, which detail what is to be built, the dimensions, materials, installation techniques and quality standards. This is submitted to the council for approval. At this stage, we are in a position to firm up the pricing. After the approval is received, our extension builders start the build process and the project manager keeps you updated on the progress ensuring we are tracking to the agreed timelines. On build completion, we organise the code of compliance for you.