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3 things you should know about home extensions

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Zara, Staff Writer

Friday, 25 June 2021

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about what your house could look like, if only you had a little more room? 

Adding a home extension to your property comes with a tonne of benefits including extra space and added value. But, with that comes a lot of new things to think about. How much will a property extension cost? Do I need planning permission? Where do I find the best builder for the job?

We’ve set about to shed some light on some of the most important things that you should know about extending your home, so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Oh, and when the time comes, searching Bark for experienced professionals in your area takes just a few minutes. 

1. You might need planning permission for your home extension

Before any building can take place, you may need to secure a permit and planning permission for your home extension. Although planning permission and permit laws differ across Canada, it is likely that you will always require a form of planning permission for an extension on your home. When you hire an experienced building contractor, they will have a good understanding of local building requirements and will be able to advise you on your unique situation. 

Generally, you’ll need a permit if you’re adding an extension that is larger than ten meters squared, if you are constructing attached or detached garages, or making any other structural changes. Don’t forget to budget for the charge of submitting your planning permission application to your local authority too! 

2. Understanding the costs of a home extension

We know doing the maths can be boring, but you’ll need to know how much a home extension costs before you can go ahead and get started. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question. The cost of an extension can differ hugely from one project to the next and is generally affected by the overall size of your extension.

For example, if you are planning on carrying out a one-storey addition extension, you are likely to pay around $260 per square foot. However, you are simply constructing a carport onto your home; you will pay approximately $80 per square foot. Again, this price can vary depending on your location and the contractor you decide to hire.

3. Setting aside enough time for your home extension

Waiting for an extension to be built in your home can be an exciting, but also frustrating period of time in your life. Even the planning process can take a few months, or even half a year in some cases! To keep your stress levels and anxiety at bay, you’ll need to think about how long the project is going to take, and even arrange alternative accommodation in some cases. 

We’d recommending giving yourself at least a couple of months to complete the survey and design stage. Then you’ll need at least two months for planning the building, receiving the technical drawings and submitting them to the planning commission. Only then can the building begin! Understanding every stage of the process will make sure you have a realistic time frame in mind for when you can start decorating your shiny new home extension.

To sum up 

Understanding these three critical points before going through with your dream home extension ideas is critical to a successful and stress-free project. Taking into consideration the planning permission stage, the overall cost of your building project and the time it will take to complete will ensure you enjoy the process, rather than get stressed out by it. Happy extending!

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