We’re all familiar with the phrase “new year, new me”, why not adapt this to read “new year, new space”? Building a home extension is the perfect project to commence the new year with, keeping you occupied and allowing you to start afresh. Many of us have started the year with either remote or hybrid working, meaning that we’re spending much more of our time at home. So, whether you’re in need of working space, relaxation space, or something else, building a home extension is a great new years’ project. With all this being said, what does an extension project actually entail?
Table of Contents
Preparing the Ground
First thing’s first, the ground that you’re planning to build on will need to be prepped. This process includes the clearing of the ground and the laying of foundations; without these measures, the ground won’t be safe or suitable to build upon.
When it comes to prepping the ground, you’ll need to contact a demolition contractor. Whether your project is set to take place in California or Essex, demolition services are a must in anticipation of any extension. These services will include leveling slopes, removing rocks, and cutting down trees. Once this has been done, the soil will be excavated and rough graded using heavy machinery. As a final measure, erosion prevention and drainage control will be installed.
Choosing an Architect
Unlike a demolition company, an architect isn’t an essential measure, but it could save you a lot of time and stress. This is because they’ll take on the duty of creating your designs, resulting in more professionalism upon the project being complete. Of course, this will incur further costs, usually around 15% of your project. Therefore, if you take the route of an architect, you’ll need to factor it into your budget.
An architect is certainly worth considering as their professional eye may spot opportunities or hindrances that you’re unable to see from your perspective. Similarly, you might find that it’s easier for an architect to deliver what you want from the extension. This is particularly true if you choose an architect with a specialty that is suited to the needs of your space.
Finding a Builder
Another essential person when it comes to building an extension is, of course, a builder. A builder should be someone that you trust as you’re effectively leaving your home in their hands. The best way of deducting whether you can trust a tradesperson is by using comparison sites, wherein people can detail their experiences with certain builders. You should always opt for someone with plentiful reviews, and these reviews will need to be almost wholly positive.
If you find that a builder charges a significantly smaller fee than their competition, you’ll need to ask yourself why. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Therefore, a small price will often result in poor service. You should always be mindful of this when granting someone full access to your home.
Obtaining Quotes
When on the hunt for any service, you shouldn’t simply settle for the first thing that you find. Instead, you should browse various firms to find the best price and service. Typically, you should gather the information of five firms to provide you with a solid idea of what the cost should be. During this process, you’ll be able to sift out ridiculously expensive solutions and worryingly cheap ones.
Establishing a Budget
Setting a budget is always difficult, especially when excitement is involved. With this being said, extension projects can be expensive, so a budget needs to be established. As well as this, you should always allow for wriggle room.
