Building House Extensions in Essex: Where to Start
Adding an extension can be an exciting project as you look to add more space to your house. However, extension projects can be technical and challenging. This often calls for the need for an expert hand to help you get everything right when building house extensions in Essex.
A successful extension project will add more value to your house, which is a plus if you plan to sell it later. However, most people don’t know where to start when working on extension projects. This guide is here to help you with a simple breakdown of factors to consider when building a house extension in Essex.
Identify Your Project Plan
This is a crucial step when working on an extension project. Do you want to convert the extra space under the stairs into a study room, or do want to redesign your kitchen to make it look more spacious? The project plan will help you when budgeting and discussing details with an architect.
Reconfiguring small spaces can be challenging. However, an architect will help you transform the space into something that will add value to your home. The architect will play a pivotal role when it comes to budgeting, too.
Project Costs
How much do house extensions in Essex cost? There is no defined answer to this question as projects aren’t the same. However, consulting an expert can help you estimate project costs based on the architect’s plans and your needs.
Material quality and location will affect the costs. Through our research, we found that the prices of house extension projects in the UK can go from £20,000-70,000. The budget will include architect fees, planning permission fees, and price for a consultant and structural engineer.
Building Regulations
These are a legal requirement in the UK. Aside from building regulations, you might need planning permission from the local authority. Now, not all house extension projects in Essex require getting planning permission.
Our advice is to always seek help from a professional before you break ground for your extension project. Starting the project without a planning permit can lead to trouble with the local authority. You might be forced to pull down the structure or pay a fine and apply for planning permission before proceeding.
Other Considerations
Review of planning permissions can take four to eight weeks. You might also need to issue a notice to your neighbours if the works will involve shared walls. Here, you will need help from a party wall surveyor to help resolve disputes if your neighbors object to your notice.
The party wall surveyor will arbitrate between all parties and issue an award that ensures that there will be no further issues down the road.
Summing Up
An extension can add value to your project making your house fetch more in the market. However, the real challenge lies in project execution. The tips in this guide will help you understand all the intricacies involved when working on a house extension in Essex.
We recommend consulting architects and building consultants if you are unsure about what you need when it comes to planning permits and party wall notices.
