7 Reasons to Extend Your Home A happy home is often disrupted by demands for more space, whether due to kids running around, an elderly relative moving in, or simply the desire for additional room. This raises complex questions: Is an extension more time- and cost-effective than moving? When you weigh the pros and cons of home investment, extending your home often proves to be a practical choice. Here are seven compelling reasons to consider extending your home. 1. You Need More Space When it was just you and your partner, a two-bedroom bungalow might have felt perfect. However, as your family grows, you may need an additional nursery or playroom. A home extension can help you supervise your children without stress, allowing for a layout that lets you keep an eye on them from the kitchen. An extension might provide the quality time you’ve been yearning for. 2. You Want to Improve Quality of Life The quality of your home significantly impacts your overall quality of life. Key areas like your family room and kitchen are heavily used, and revamping these spaces can greatly enhance your living experience. If your bathroom has plumbing issues or is simply outdated, an extension can address these problems. While extending your home is a large project, it is often more economical and effective than continuously making minor changes. 3. You Want to Restore Your Home’s Character Older homes may lose their charm and structural value, but they can be exquisite gems waiting to be polished. Hiring a home designer can help modernise your property while preserving its original beauty. A thoughtfully extended and revamped home can beautifully blend modern amenities with historical character. 4. You Want to Raise Your House’s Value Investing in your home can significantly increase its market value. Simple additions like an outdoor entertaining area, new bedrooms, improved living spaces, or kitchen upgrades can make a big difference. Carefully constructed extensions and remodels will enhance your home’s attractiveness, both inside and out, making it more appealing to potential buyers or renters. Such improvements are often well-regarded in the real estate market, giving you a competitive edge. 5. You Don’t Want to Move Moving can be an overwhelming and costly process. The time and effort involved in finding a new place, coupled with the emotional toll on your family, can be significant. Your children may also wish to keep their old friends rather than starting anew. A well-designed extension can transform your existing space into a home that meets your current needs and future aspirations, making it a more viable option than relocating. 6. Adapt Your House to Your Lifestyle An extension can provide valuable extra space, helping to reduce stress and family conflicts. More space creates opportunities for improved family interaction and privacy. Many homeowners have chosen to extend their kitchens and living areas, modernising their homes and enhancing their overall living experience. 7. You Want to Earn by Renting Out If you’re considering generating additional income by renting out part of your home, an extension may be necessary. This allows you to create a separate, private space for tenants while maintaining your own privacy. These are just a few compelling reasons to extend your home. Before embarking on a project, prepare a plan based on your budget, current needs, and lifestyle. It may also be helpful to seek advice from neighbours who have undertaken similar projects.

A Simple Guide to Loft Conversions Creating extra space to accommodate more people or belongings can seem daunting. If you’re looking to add extra space in your home, a loft conversion is an excellent option. Whether you need an extra guest room, bathroom, kitchen, or study, a loft conversion can effectively solve your space issues. Loft conversions aren’t limited to residential properties; non-residential buildings like former warehouses and factories can also be transformed into habitable spaces. Below, I will explain how to go about a loft conversion with a simple DIY guide. What is a Loft Conversion? A loft conversion, often referred to as an attic conversion, involves transforming an empty space into a functional room. This new space can serve various purposes, such as a bedroom, bathroom, study, gym, or garage. Loft conversions have become one of the most popular methods of home improvement over time. The perceived complexity of loft conversions often discourages homeowners from attempting a DIY approach, leading many to hire specialists from loft conversion companies. Cost of a Loft Conversion As of 2021, a loft conversion typically costs between £20,000 and £50,000. The actual price will depend on the extent of the alterations needed and the size of the space. More extensive work can push costs up to £100,000. Types of Loft Conversions Roof Light Loft Conversions This is one of the simplest conversion processes, requiring only the addition of one or more windows to the roof to allow natural light into the loft area. Expect to spend around £15,000 for this type. Dormer Loft Conversion A dormer loft conversion involves creating a box-shaped extension of your existing roof, increasing both floor space and headroom. This type is ideal for houses with small attic spaces, as it maximises space. Budget approximately £35,000 for a dormer conversion. Mansard Loft Conversion Best suited for larger houses with significant roof space, a mansard loft conversion is more costly but can beautifully transform your home. This type adds another storey and changes your roof’s slope to the industry-standard angle of 72 degrees. Costs typically range from £35,000 to £45,000 or more. Hip to Gable Loft Conversions If you own a detached or semi-detached house, a hip to gable loft conversion is effective for expanding your living space. This process utilises the hip and gable sections of your roof and typically costs between £25,000 and £30,000. Top 3 Loft Conversion Tips Tip 1: Examine Neighbouring Conversions Before starting your loft conversion, take a close look at houses on your street that have undergone similar projects. This will help you understand what to expect and prepare for your own DIY conversion. Tip 2: Check the Slope of Your Roof Determining the slope of your roof is essential to ensure you have enough headroom in your new room. You don’t need an architect for this; you can estimate it by visualising yourself walking inside the room to see if the conversion is feasible with minimal effort. Tip 3: Invest in a Professional DIY Loft Conversion Guide Having a professional DIY guide is invaluable for executing the loft conversion process smoothly. There are many resources available in printed, audio, and video formats. Make sure to thoroughly study and understand the guide before starting your project. Conclusion A loft conversion can be both challenging and rewarding if you have the right guidance. If you wish to create additional space in your home, the tips shared in this article will be beneficial. About Muse We are your Residential and Commercial Architects At Muse Architects, we offer a wide range of local architectural services to clients in Manchester and beyond. From building control in Manchester to office design project management, our team of experienced architects has the skills and expertise to handle any project. Whether you’re looking for commercial building architects or residential architects near you, we’re here to help. As local architects, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of designing buildings in Manchester. We specialise in Manchester residential architect services and work closely with clients to create beautiful, functional spaces. Our 3D property visualisation services, including 3D visualisation for city planning and interior design, are designed to help you bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more about how Muse Architects can help you achieve your architectural goals.

Understanding Permitted Development Rights Permitted development rights are a set of national policies that allow homeowners to carry out certain improvement and extension work, or repurpose their properties, without needing to apply for development permission from the local authority. With this pre-approved permission from Parliament, homeowners can extend or modify their properties within specific limits, saving both time and money as long as they adhere to the relevant rules. In this article, we will explore permitted development rights and their limitations. What Projects Are Covered by Permitted Development Rights? These rights permit homeowners to undertake improvements and extension work on their residential and commercial properties, provided they stay within legal boundaries. Rear Extension Projects Building work must not extend beyond the existing property’s rear wall by more than 3 metres for attached houses or 4 metres for detached houses. Must use the same construction materials as the existing house. Must occupy less than 50% of the area of the land surrounding the existing house. Must be less than 4 metres in height, or less than 3 metres if within 2 metres of a property boundary. Must have eaves and a ridge not taller than the existing house. Side Extension Projects Must be at the side of the existing house and not face the highway. Must use the same construction materials as the existing house. Must occupy less than 50% of the area of the land surrounding the existing house. Must occupy less than 50% of the width of the existing house. Must be less than 4 metres in height, or less than 3 metres if within 2 metres of a property boundary. Must have eaves and a ridge not taller than the existing house. Wraparound Extension Projects For building works that involve both side and rear extensions to create a ‘wraparound’, the permitted development rights restrictions will be evaluated according to the criteria for both side and rear extensions individually, making it more challenging for projects to fall under permitted development rights. Two-Storey Extension Projects Should not have windows in the wall or roof slope of the side elevation on different storeys. Must occupy less than 50% of the width of the existing house. Must occupy less than 50% of the area of the land surrounding the existing house. Must use the same construction materials as the existing house. Must have eaves and a ridge not taller than the existing house. Terraces must not be more than 3.5 metres higher than the next highest terrace. Garage Conversion Projects Construction works must be internal. Must use the same construction materials as the existing house. Must not enlarge the existing building. If converting a detached garage into a bedroom, living room, or office, you may require development permission. Loft Conversion Projects Must have a volume allowance of 50 cubic metres of additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses. Must use the same construction materials as the existing house. Must not include a window in any section or roof slope creating a side rise of the dwelling. The roof pitch of the primary part of the dwelling must match that of the existing house. Must have a dormer wall set back at least 20 centimetres from the existing wall face. Must have windows that are non-opening if less than 1.7 metres from floor level. Must have side windows that are obscured or frosted. Constructing a New Storey or Flat on Your Property There cannot be windows in the wall or roof slope of added storeys. You may include up to two additional storeys on the topmost storey of a detached house or existing multi-storey properties. The newly extended house must have a maximum height limit of 18 metres. Terraces must not be more than 3.5 metres higher than the next tallest terrace. About Muse We are your Residential and Commercial Architects At Muse Architects, we offer a wide range of local architectural services to clients in Manchester and beyond. From building control in Manchester to office design project management, our team of experienced architects has the skills and expertise to handle any project. Whether you’re looking for commercial building architects or residential architects near you, we’re here to help. As local architects, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of designing buildings in Manchester. We specialise in Manchester residential architect services and work closely with clients to create beautiful, functional spaces. Our 3D property visualisation services, including 3D visualisation for city planning and interior design, are designed to help you bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more about how Muse Architects can help you achieve your architectural goals.

Unlocking the Potential of Property Change of Use Many landlords and landowners aspire to maximise the full potential of their properties through change of use. However, understanding how to promote or utilise your land effectively can be challenging. In this article, I will provide advice on how to unlock the potential of your property change. The UK Town and Planning Order Under the UK Town and Planning Order, land is categorised into four main ‘use classes’: Class A: This includes shops, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments (e.g., wine bars, public houses), and hot food takeaways. Class B: Buildings falling under this category include offices, industrial facilities, and open-air storage facilities. Class C: This class includes hotels, residential institutions, dwelling houses, and houses in multiple occupations (HMOs). Class D: This class comprises non-residential institutions, assembly and leisure houses. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 is a statutory order that applies in Wales and England. It outlines the various types of ‘Use Classes’ and the permissions required for land or buildings to change their use. It also establishes the necessary permissions needed to alter the use of a building from one use to another within the same class. As chartered, experienced architects and professional planners, we can help you navigate the UK planning system. It is possible to apply for a change of use without the necessary planning permission, using a system known as permitted development rights. As a leading architectural and planning firm, we assist in fully utilising permitted development rights. If permitted development rights are not applicable, we are available to guide you through the processes of obtaining planning permission. Securing Your Change of Use Planning Permission Obtaining planning permission for a change of use can be a daunting task due to the cumbersome process involved. Planning permission is the approval issued by your local authority to commence a proposed building project, ensuring that developments occur in appropriate areas. According to the National Planning Policy Framework, decisions on when and how planning permission should be issued are made in line with local planning policies. We have extensive experience working with London planning councils and understand the likely restrictions that may be imposed on your change of use application. Designing Your Ideal Change of Use Layout As experts in building and land permission planning, we have crafted a change of use design template to help you develop your design ideas. This template not only helps you create a design concept but also matches your requirements and taste. Whether you are converting from B1 to C3, B1 to D1, or C3 to C4, our templates cover these scenarios. We recognise that projects involving a change of use can be complex, but we manage the design process with your needs in mind. Planning permission may not be required when the existing and proposed uses fall within the same ‘use class’, or if the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) allows for changes of use to another specified ‘use class’. This could apply to your property. Conclusion Once you secure planning permission for your change of use from the local authority, we proceed to the technical design and building phase, followed by monitoring the construction project and contract administration. This ensures that your design concept is transformed into reality. Get Free Advice Whether you’ve already purchased a commercial property or are searching for one, the best step is to talk to us as soon as possible. At Muse Architects, we provide complimentary consultations to help you understand the ins and outs of any potential project from the start. Our team offers expert advice on: Design Planning Building regulations Budgeting Programme Construction If you’re looking for a helping hand, book your free consultation today. About Muse We are your Residential and Commercial Architects At Muse Architects, we offer a wide range of local architectural services to clients in Manchester and beyond. From building control in Manchester to office design project management, our team of experienced architects has the skills and expertise to handle any project. Whether you’re looking for commercial building architects or residential architects near you, we’re here to help. As local architects, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of designing buildings in Manchester. We specialise in Manchester residential architect services and work closely with clients to create beautiful, functional spaces. Our 3D property visualisation services, including 3D visualisation for city planning and interior design, are designed to help you bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more about how Muse Architects can help you achieve your architectural goals.