6 Tips We Use When We Build Home Extensions in Surrey
thunderbolt on May 10, 2019
NBC Construction have completed many home extensions in Surrey to date, and as such know that many property owners may feel overwhelmed when they start to consider having one. But don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it seems – just remember to follow these 6 tips, and you’ll come out the other side unscathed, and with a shiny new extension to show for it.
1) Be Prepared
The finer details can be worked out later, but you shouldn’t be winging it for the majority of your extension. Have clear ideas of what you want, or at least what you will be using the extension for so that an architect or other construction professional can help you. Just like a building, all the best ideas have a strong foundation!
2) Know When to Compromise
Unfortunately, some elements of your dream extension are better left as just that – dreams – due to the impracticality of attempting to implement them in real life. Some things are simply not feasible for your home, or may lie outside of your price range. It’s hard to hear, but there may be some things you have to compromise on to stick to something else (forgoing certain extras to stay on schedule and budget, for example).
3) Speak Up / Communication
Communication is key in any situation, and it’s important that you’re comfortable speaking with the people that you’ve hired, so that everyone can be in the know and prevent any surprises later on. Communicate clearly when it comes to your budget, time scales, scheduling conflicts, and don’t be afraid to questions if you’re confused or voice any concerns you may have.
4) Do Your Homework
There’s a fair amount of paperwork involved in construction, and you want to make sure that your extension is fully legal and follows all the regulations it needs to. Check if you need planning permission, a party wall agreement, or anything else – after all, you don’t want any nasty surprises halfway through construction. Your local council or chosen construction company should be able to guide you if you are unsure what to look for.
5) Balance Aesthetics With Function
You want your new home extension to look good, but you also want it to be fit for purpose! Don’t get carried away with either factor, and instead consider both – try and keep things energy efficient and flowing as well as pleasing to the eye
6) Think About Access
You may run into access issues depending on where you live (those with a detached property and private driveway will have far less to worry about than those trying to extend a terraced house).