Homeowner’s In-depth Guide to Home Extensions
Own a home in a neighbourhood with everything you need, but wish you had more space? An extension can be a great option. A home extension can add value to your current property and enhance quality of life if executed properly. Adding to any residential property can represent a significant investment, so it’s important to understand what could be involved.
Read on to discover some important points about creating additional space, improving functionality and potentially increasing the value of your home. We have compiled an in-depth guide here to ensure you are properly informed.
Benefits of a Home Extension
Besides adding space and value, choosing the right builder for an extension can help you access a few other benefits.
Improved Energy Efficiency
A contemporary extension can incorporate better insulation, up-to-date glazing and other energy-efficient technologies, designs and materials. When adding an extension, consider incorporating updates in other parts of the house to help keep carbon footprints and energy bills down.
Avoid Relocation Hassles
Avoid the hassles of relocation by extending your current property. Aside from the cost of moving and the stress of going out house-hunting every weekend, kids can stay in the same school, you can remain connected to friends and family nearby and keep using the same services and amenities.
More Customised Space
Choosing a home extension means an opportunity to get the home you have always wanted. Think about the current spaces and work on a plan for how they can be improved to be more enjoyable to use or more fit for purpose.
Planning an Extension: What to Consider.
The right construction team will guide you towards the best approach and materials for your home extension. They will also work out a timeframe and budget to tailor-make the space to the new specifications.
- Budgeting: Allocate a realistic budget for your home extension, including construction costs and any permits and consents required. Think about fixtures, fittings, and sub-trades that need to be hired. Set aside a contingency sum so you won’t be caught short if anything has been missed from the initial list.
- Consents & Local Regulations: Councils in different areas have different requirements, so enquire about what is needed for the project. Home extensions in New Zealand typically require a building consent. In some cases, resource consent will also be needed.
- Thinking Long Term: When planning a home extension, don’t just think about today; take some time to explore how needs may shift up ahead. Factor in growing children, working from home, caring for a parent, or a hobby or interest you plan to take on.
- Selecting a Timeframe: A temporary relocation may be necessary depending on the project’s scope. Essential services like electricity and water may need to be shut off, or privacy or security may be temporarily compromised. Think about what time of year this might work best, talk to your builder and make a plan. Think about staying with friends or family, looking for alternative accommodation nearby, or taking a holiday!
Choosing the Right Builder
Choosing the right builder for your home extension is vital. Extending any property can be complex and intricate. Choosing a team with relevant experience will ensure the job comes in on time and within budget. Here are some essential points to consider when choosing a builder.
Accreditation: Look for a construction team accredited by the Master Builders Association. They thoroughly vet all their members, so picking an MBA builder offers peace of mind.
Impeccable Communication: You will get a fairly good indication from an initial meeting and the resulting communications if the builder will be a good fit. A home extension can uncover unexpected tasks that must be added to a project. Knowing upfront that proactive communications are prioritised is essential.
Specialist Experience: Choose a builder with extensive experience completing home extensions. Don’t compromise here; an extension can be trickier than you think. A specialist will have come up against every imaginable issue, so it won’t be a problem when the unexpected happens.
Contact Harrison Building Company: Home Extension Experts
So there you have it, an in-depth guide to home extensions, major takeaway? Choose the right builder! We’ve been planning and building house extensions for decades, we value 100% customer satisfaction, we prioritise clear communication, and we are Master Builders, LBP qualified and members of the Totika Scheme that recognises our commitment to health and safety.
Get in touch now to chat about your home extension project with the right builders for the job.