Whether you’re expecting a child, have a house full of adolescents, or just want a quiet retreat, a house extension is a great additional option to expand your living quarters. Even if you don’t plan on selling your home in the near future, an addition might increase its value.
If you’re on the fence about whether or not expanding your house is a better option than relocating, we’re here to assist! We are aware that any renovation of your house entails a considerable financial commitment, and that you must be very certain of your choice before any work is scheduled to begin. If you’re wondering whether or not house additions are worth the money, this information is for you.
Each home improvement project takes careful thinking and forethought to make the most of your newly renovated living space. It’s also important to think about the purpose of the space and whether or not you have adequate land to allow a house addition. In order to assist you to decide whether or not a house addition is the right option for you, we have answered the following questions.
Is It Better To Move Or Extend My Home?
There is no wonder that more homeowners than ever are asking themselves, “Should I move house or extend?” as the average Irish property price has climbed 83% over the last 10 years making the average house cost now €291,000. The best alternative for you will depend on your specific situation, thus there is no definitive answer to this issue.
For example, adding an extension can be a good choice if you enjoy your neighbourhood and feel at home there. It will also be a lot less expensive, and you’ll have a ton of alternatives for personalising the new home. On the other hand, your land is limited and expanding would result in the loss of a garden, you may want to think about moving up to a larger house. If you reside in a historic district or conservation area, you may not be able to get planning approval to expand your home. These are just a few of the numerous considerations you should keep in mind while deciding which course of action to take. In addition, we urge that you ask yourself these questions:
What’s your financial plan? How much room is there in your budget for further expenditures?
Is there a deadline that you must meet? to make room for a new baby who will be born in just a few months. Do you think you’ll be able to stay in your current house for a long time? Getting an extension is a terrific idea if you can, but saving the money to go toward a move is a better option if you can’t. How much additional room do you really need? In order to determine whether an extension is sufficient for your purposes, you need to consider the following.
Homeowners are increasingly reluctant to move because of the rising cost of housing and pandemic limitations that have been in place. Some people have taken advantage of their present area and reworked it to make it more personalised for themselves and their families. Listed below are just a few of the many advantages of adding an extension to your home:
- Increases the value of your home
- Provides an alternative to relocating
- Customise the design to meet your family’s specific requirements
- You don’t always need permission from the planning department
- Increases the amount of available living space
Increases the monetary value of your residence
Extending your house may significantly increase the value of your property, whether you want to sell it or simply want to keep it for your own use in the future. Increasing the amount of living space in your house is a certain way to increase the value of your property, as well as the amount of money that potential purchasers are ready to put down, making a home extension a worthwhile investment.
In order to add value to your home, remember that the quality of the build is a major factor in whether or not it will be desirable to potential purchasers. Buyers will not be interested in purchasing a home with a badly planned expansion that is riddled with difficulties. They won’t be able to see the room’s potential since they’ll see a mountain of repair and remodelling costs on top of their house deposit. It is critical that you only work with reputed contractors if you want to get the most out of your home extension.
Moving isn’t always the best option
If you don’t want to move, one of the greatest ways to add square footage to your house is to add a house extension. This, of course, saves money and eliminates the stress of transferring from one place to another. Instead, you’ll just have to put up with a few months of building work until you can move into your new house. You’ll have saved a lot of money that you may use to decorate your new extension.
A house extension rather than moving is a better option if you have a growing family that is already established in the neighbourhood. Changing schools, nurseries, and colleges can be a stressful and scary experience for children and young adults alike. Staying in the same neighbourhood allows youngsters to stay with their friends and finish their education without having to start over from scratch.
Adapt to Your Family’s Requirements by Customising the Design
With the help of a skilled building firm, you can customise the design of a house expansion to fit your family’s demands. From the doors and windows to the entire design, a conservatory may be customised to meet your exact needs.
Extending your home should always be done with the help of a professional architect who can help you realise your vision for your new home. If you want to know exactly what your house extension will look like when it’s finished, architectural drawings are the best way to get a clear picture of what it will look like before the construction begins.
Planning Permission Isn’t Necessary Every Time
In most circumstances, a house extension does not need a permit from the city to expand your home. The vast majority of extensions fall under the category of ‘permitted development’, which allows homeowners to make improvements to their properties without obtaining approval from local authorities.
Except for individuals who reside in “designated zones,” most property owners shouldn’t have any issues getting planning authorisation. To begin development on your property, if you reside in a protected area such as a National Park or Conservation Area, you may face obstacles. A house extension can be scheduled even if you don’t fit into one of the categories listed above.
Boosts the Size of Your Home
One of the most sought-after advantages of building an extension to a house is the possibility to give more living space immediately. For those who are beginning to outgrow their current house but don’t want to relocate, a home extension is a great option.
When deciding what to do with your new home, think about your family’s needs and then make a final selection. Do you need a home office now that you’ve begun working from home or started that new business online? Were you thinking of building a playroom for your children? Do you desire a place where you can host parties and have people over?
With so many options, you may change your extension into whatever space you choose. A large-scale open-plan room may be created by merging your new extension with your current house. Anyone who dreams of having a kitchen-diner that flows seamlessly into the living area will be thrilled with this. Adopting an open-plan living style is becoming increasingly popular, in part because it encourages family members to interact instead of isolating themselves in their own rooms.
For the sake of future-proofing your extension, we recommend that you keep the room’s design simple and neutral. There will be no need for a total redecoration of your extension if you change the usage of it in the future by painting the walls and floors in a neutral colour palette. Instead, you’ll have a canvas to work with, ready to be embellished with your chosen theme’s furnishings, accents, and finishing touches. Choosing a neutral colour palette is also a great way to make a room appear larger. Colours that reflect both natural and artificial lighting allow the light to bounce about the room rather than being absorbed by dark colours.
Create the Home of Your Dreams on Your Own Backyard.
Your time and money will be saved and you’ll be able to enjoy an expanded house with endless possibilities when you add an extension to your current home. Extending your present house is a great option to relocating if you are outgrowing it. Everything about your conversation can be tailored to meet the specific demands of your family, so you don’t have to worry about having to sell up to get the house of your dreams.
Check out our simple garden ideas as well.