Do you want to build a home extension but don’t know how to go about it? Then this guide is for you. The cost of building a home extension depends on the size of the extension and your needs. Besides that, there are other aspects involved in building home extensions that you need to know about.

How Much Does Building an Extension Cost?

The financial requirements of building a home extension largely depend on several factors, such as your location, the size of the extension, the number of storeys you are building, and your taste level.

For a usual home extension, you should budget about £1,000–£2,000/m2. Going further, if you want to build just a single-storey extension, you will be spending the following.

• Basic quality: £1,000 to £1,680
• Good quality: £1,680 to £1,920
• Excellent quality: £1,920 to £2,160

However, building a two-storey extension won’t cost much, but it will require much work.

How To Build A Cost-Effective Home Extension

The easiest way to build a cost-effective home extension is to ensure that the design and shape are simple, cheaper than complicated designs and shapes. You can also ensure that your home extension is cost-effective by choosing an affordable construction system and building materials.

How To Build A Home Extension Without Planning Permission

You will be able to build a home extension without planning permission if you are under a Permitted Development (PD), which implies that you won’t have to go through the application process of seeking planning permission. You should note that if your home is in a National Park or a Conservation Area, the level of work under Permitted Development if often limited. Under Permitted Development rights, specific works can be done without planning permission if you satisfy some criteria like:

• You can extend your detached home by 8m at the rear if it’s a single-storey extension.
• A single-storey extension can’t be greater than 4m on the ridge and the eaves, and the ridge heights of a new extension can’t be greater than that of the old home.
• Two-storey extensions must not be closer to each other than 7m to the rear boundary.
• Side extensions can only be a single storey with the greatest height of 4m and a width of not more than half of the old extension.
• All new home extensions must be built in the same manner and material as the old home.

Do You Need a Lawful Development Certificate to Extend Your Home?

Even if your home extensions project can be carried out under PD rights, you must apply for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) from your local authority to affirm that the extension was legal and satisfy PD requirements and doesn’t need planning permission. This is necessary if you plan to pack into the home too. A lawful development certificate only costs £103, half the price of a planning permission application fee.

What You Should Consider Before Building a Home Extension

There are certain things you should consider before building a home extension. Below are some of these important factors.

The Design

Do you have a wonderful design idea but don’t know who can sketch it on paper? You can hire a building and design company or collaborate with an architect or architectural technologist. If you are experienced with CAD, you can sketch your designs yourself; however, if your design is complicated, you should give it to a professional.

Site Access

When building a home extension, you should ensure that deliveries can be made to your home easily. You’ll have to figure out how trucks and lorries will locate the property and deliver large items and building materials. You’ll also need to decide where workers will park and keep their tools.

What Building Regulations Do You Need to Obey When Building a Home Extension?

It doesn’t matter if your home extension needs planning permission or not. You will need to ensure that you obey all Building Regulations. You can choose to submit a Full Plan Submission or a Building Notice to adhere to the Building Regulations.

Full Plan Submission

Send a full plan submission to your local authority building control or licensed local inspector before the building extension for permission. The local building inspector visits your building at different development stages to see the work as it progresses.

Building Notice

This statement informs the local building authority that you will adhere to the regulations in building your home extension and gives the building control department a 48-hours notice of your intention to commence the work. Local building inspectors will see the work at different stages and will tell you about any problems.