Building an extension

There’s a lot to think about when you are planning building work. We can help you understand what you need to know when you are planning to extend your home or make changes to the building.

 

Steps for getting started

Doing building work on your home can mean the difference between moving and staying put. Find out more about:
 
  • why preparation is key
  • the costs involved
  • planning permissions
  • the things to consider before you start.

Steps for getting started

Adding the extra space you need or just making the most of the space that you have.

Preparation is key

Do your research. There are plenty of builders that will do the work for you. But you need to look for a builder you can trust. Get recommendations or go onto the Federation of Master Builders for guidance and recommendations.

What will the space be used for? This is important when you are planning as you’ll need to consider the layout of the room, positioning of plugs and electrics and possibly any plumbing or heating that’s needed.

Make sure you have a budget. Before you start, you’ll need to have an idea of the costs involved and make sure that they fit within your budget. Make sure you set some money aside for any unexpected costs.

Get an idea of the costs

The cost of the building work will vary depending on size, material costs and location. Get a few quotes from different builders to compare.

Don’t forget to include costs for architects, planning permission and a structural engineer to survey the building, if you need them.

Planning permission and building regulations

Always check on the government website whether you need planning permission before you start any work.

Building regulations cover fire safety, insulation, drainage and structural checks. You’ll need to send your plans to the Local Authority to get your work approved and signed-off. You can find more information on building regulations on the government website.

Ways to pay

If you're looking to understand ways to fund building work, it's a good idea to speak to your mortgage lender. They can help you understand your additional borrowing options.

Or, you could take out a loan, depending on how much you need to borrow.

Credit is subject to status.

Additional borrowing

You could lose your home if you don’t keep up your mortgage repayments

Things to consider before you start

Make sure you’ve covered all bases before you start. Here’s some things you’ll need to think about.

    • Site access - Make sure there is access to get building materials and equipment to the site. Your builder can help you with this.
    • Ground quality - The ground needs to be good enough to hold any new walls. Ask your builder whether they’ll use a surveyor to check the ground. They’ll need to make sure the land is not liable to subsidence or flooding.
    • Utilities - You’ll need to connect your new space to gas, electricity, water supply and sewerage. You’ll need the details of your existing utilities and then work with your builder on how it’ll all come together.

  • Sit down with the figures and be realistic. You may want to add an extra 20% to your budget to cover for any unexpected costs.

    Get an itemised quote from your builder for the overall project, and make sure you get a warranty. They are then responsible should there be any defects in the work or issues down the line.

  • Will you need to move out during construction? If you need to leave the property while work is underway, try to stay somewhere close so you can check in on it easily.

  • Make sure you have all the permissions you need in place before you start.

  • By adding more space to your property, you could be putting extra strain on your existing energy supply. If your heating system or electrical circuits are old, you might want to look at improving them before you begin on the next stage. Get a quote for the work you may need.

  • Talk to your builder about what jobs they’ll be doing. They may be multi skilled and can do your plastering, electrics and plumbing. Or, you may have to find other trade specialists to finish the parts that your builder can’t.

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