The decision to buy your first home is largely based on what you need and can afford in the present. As time goes on your life is going to change, and the home that once suited you is no longer a good fit.
There are a couple of options ahead of you in this scenario. You can get up and move to a different house, or extend your property. Extensions are a solid option if you only need a bit of extra space, and it can increase the overall value of your home. However, there are some things that are worth keeping in mind when choosing to build an extension. This article will look at a few common mistakes that you should try to avoid.
Forgetting A Building Permit
A building permit acts as a licence to do renovations on your property, and you will need to apply for one of these before starting your extension. These permits require that you detail everything that you plan on doing to your plot of land. It sounds tedious but these permits are put in place to ensure that additional building work does not impede on the property of others, or reduce the appeal of the neighbourhood.
The process of applying for a building permit varies from town to town. Some are decided upon by a governing council and others are considered by a homeowners association. If you are ever unsure, get in touch with a real estate agent. Try visiting https://www.ezhomesearch.com/wilmington/ if you have any concerns about real estate in Wilmington. Other areas will have their own realtor associations.
Forget Where Your Important Objects Are
Your home will have been built in such a way that everything inside it works for the current layout. This means that electrical wires, water pipes and your boiler were all placed to accommodate your house at the size it is now.
Therefore, you might need to rethink the current layout of these important items as you extend the property. By working with a professional, you can decide on where best to move, or re-lay, some of these important amenities so as not to cause brownouts or a drop in water pressure. It may make the job more expensive but it is worth it in the end.
Take The First Offer
The average price of a home extension is not something that the general public is familiar with. That is why you will need to get the help of a professional to price up the job for you.
Be advised; however, that if an offer seems too good to be true it most likely is. A low price may reflect a poor service, so try to get a number of estimates for the job before making a decision on a contractor. It may take longer, but having a set of quotes will highlight any outliers that are offering an unfair price.
Looking At The Wrong Dates
Builders will try to work as often as possible. They want to finish your extension and move on to the next project as soon as they can. Unfortunately, Mother Nature can prevent some of this progress.
Bad weather can hinder a job. Heavy rain will make it impossible to mix the necessary materials, and icy conditions can make the building site unsafe. Try to plan your extension around the weather. These projects take a long time but aim to have your builders working in the winter months as little as possible. This planning will rapidly speed up the job and prevent any unnecessary stops.
Fail To Have A Contingency Plan
It is likely that your home extension is going to carry on without a hitch, especially if you have taken the correct advice. Unfortunately, things don’t always go to plan. The foundations of your home will have stood untouched for a long time, which means you never know what might happen when you start poking around.
Some extension jobs can run longer than planned, can increase in cost, or require that the family move out while a problem is fixed. All of these situations come with the territory, so try to plan accordingly for every outcome. It is impossible to have a solution to every problem, but try to research as much as possible and create a contingency plan for if the design goes askew.
Let The Professionals Work
The extension process is an exciting time for any family and you will want to be involved in every stage. While your enthusiasm is going to be appreciated on some levels, your input isn’t needed at all times.
While it is your extension, you have hired the professionals because you do not know anything about building work. Try to remember this when the project starts and trust the process. The professionals are there to do the best job they can, so let them crack on while you relax.
Summary
An extension is a great way to give your property the additional room it needs, and it might be the best thing you can do if everything goes right. Follow the advice in this article to ensure that your home extension is as perfect as it can be.
