There isn’t a one-fits-all option when it comes to building your home extension. It can be fraught with danger if you do not know what you are supposed to know when it comes to extending your kitchen, renovating or upgrading your bathroom, or a full house renovation.
Your extension is going to be unique to you and your home is more important to you than to anyone else on the planet whether it is worth €100,000 or €1m.
Picking the right design, the correct builder, and a budget that you can afford are all important, and it is better to avoid mistakes at the initial stage. They are all part of the planning part of an extension or renovation. Managing all of the above can mean the difference between a seamless build and a stomach ulcer from stress!
Whether you opt for a single or two-storey extension or a complete wrap-around, it is important to get the management of the project right.
It’s the process of getting a sketch you did on a piece of paper right to walking into your new home; because when your extension is finished it will be a new home!
Here is a short guide on what you need to consider to get from the sketch to moving in.
Check if you need planning for your house extension
The rule of thumb here is to assume that you do until you know otherwise.
So you need to check what the planning laws are in your locality and whether there have there been any changes that might affect either the ability to extend, the scope of extensions allowed in your area, and the legal requirements for any extensions under new planning regulations.
Pick a builder with a track record
There are lots of building ‘cowboys’ out there who are happy to take your hard-earned cash. Don’t be afraid to ask your builder for the names and phone numbers of previous clients.
Good builders will have that information on their websites with pictures of the build.
In the current climate, people may be afraid to ask this question because of the shortage of builders or the builders’ waiting list. The wait could end up saving you thousands of euros.
Once you have a contact name and number, make sure to contact the client and ask if they were happy with the work carried out and if it was finished on time and within budget.
Again, good builders will give you a clearly defined quote when it comes to the time of quoting for your extension.
Make sure you leave some wiggle room
Even the best of builders can come across unforeseen problems so make sure it is a bit extra available over the budget for such contingencies. For example, builders aren’t able to see underground when they are carrying out their initial examination of a site and could encounter a problem with sewer connections that weren’t envisaged in the original budget.
Agree on material and labour costs
One of the biggest problems encountered at present in any build is the materials and labour costs. Because of escalating prices, make sure you agree on your material and labour costs when the quote is being finalised.
Builders that would traditionally be given a month’s validity on costs are now giving just 2 weeks at present. Certain building materials such as timber are in short supply at present and that can have a huge impact on your cost.
Flexible timescales
It is important to factor in extended timescales with your extension project. You may not be able to get your builder of choice to start your project for six months to a year and the weather in Ireland can extend timescales at the other end of the project with delays.
If you have to move out of the house while it is being renovated, then this is an important factor. Depending on the complexity of the extension, you could plan for a six-month disruption to your home.
Have a realistic budget
We can all daydream about getting a €150,000 extension done for €50,000 but that’s all it is: a daydream. Remember the adage: pay peanuts, get monkeys.
You have to be realistic about your budget and it is important to do your research on materials especially. The difference between the two types of flooring could be as much as €5,000 so research is essential.
It is also important to figure out before you even talk to a builder about what size budget you can afford and factor in a cost of €3,000 per square metre for your extension.
Design can also have a huge bearing on your extension cost so have a good idea of what kind of design you want before you start your research.
