Building an extension to your home is the best way to increase your property value. Not only do you get the added convenience of more living space or an extra bedroom or bathroom, you also gain a boost in equity. You could then release this to fund further home improvements.
Just about any home can have an extension of some kind. If you have the space to add a garage with an added bedroom on top you can send the value of your property soaring.
Get in contact with local builders
The best way to research your options is to get some advice and estimates from local builders and handymen. Experienced builders can advise you on the structural elements of the extension, but you’ll also need to finish the interior of the new space.
With MyBuilder, it’s easy to contact a handyman in the area that can work out the cost of outfitting the interior of your extension. This is an important part of the build for which many people forget to plan. When you’re searching online for a ‘handyman near me’, remember that there are online resources to help you find one, and it includes verified customer reviews, so you can pick a handyman upon whom you know you can rely.
Build a budget
Now you have a better idea of what you can achieve with your extension, and an estimate of the costs of building and finishing, you can start to put together a budget. On paper this is easy, but finding the money to cover the cost is the hard part.
If you already have equity in your home, you should consider releasing some to help finance this build. A home extension is a perfect use for equity as you’re investing the money back into your property. You also need to budget for planning costs. Paperwork like building plans and planning applications will all need to be completed and you should get the help of a professional.
Get your home ready
The final piece of preparation work is getting your home and the surrounding grounds ready for the building work. You may need to clear space in the garden or at the side of the home so there’s access for contractors, supplies and equipment.
The area that’s being extended needs to be cleared of your possessions and prepared for the work to begin. The room may be exposed to the outdoors when the building work is being completed, so take some steps to protect the indoor space. Use plastic sheeting to cover parts of the room that will be exposed, this will prevent plasterwork on the walls or the floor from being damaged by rain water.
With plenty of planning and preparation, and the help of some experienced professionals, extending a room in your home can be an easy project. This is one of the highest-value home improvements you can make to your house and the right design with a high-quality finish can pay for itself in property value.
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