Over the last year or so, people have become acutely aware of how much space their home affords.
After all, many people are turning their attention to the countryside, favouring a sense of freedom away from the oppressive confines of the cityscape. As the population craves more space after months of stifling lockdowns, others will undoubtedly weigh their options when it comes to extensions also.
Still, the process of building an extension is filled with many factors one must consider. You’ll find some of the things you need to think about below.
Research and Referrals Matter Greatly
It’s important that you hire only the best for the highest quality of build possible.
You should start the process by asking trusted family and friends for a referral to a builder. In 2018, the Federation of Master Builders estimated that cowboy builders cost the UK economy £10bn a year, which highlights just how important it is to get everything right the first time. Mistakes in this arena are hugely consequential and hard to course correct.
If your extension has been built with a shoddy or even hazardous finish, you may experience council authorities demanding it to be demolished. Minor levels of poor quality can present problems too, especially if you’re looking to sell your house on in future. Surveyors will want to see documentation to see that extensions have been built properly, and savvy prospective buyers will spot a bad build easily and be deterred. The ramifications of a bad finish can be long-lasting indeed.
Only engage with services that have proven results with your personal network. As you pursue a referral, double-check that those who’re recommended have the correct insurance and qualifications. Additionally, ensure they comply with building regulations also. This way, the build process will be straightforward and stress-free.
You’ll Need Other Services
Many people wanting an extension presume that they just need a builder alone.
However, other services need to be used for a job well done here. For example, you will need an electrician to install lights in the new build. Not only this, but many people often have trouble illuminating their gardens, so you can install lights in any of the extension’s overhanging soffits also, enabling you to sufficiently illuminate your garden for evening gatherings.
It may also be a good idea to hire a gardener. They can dig out special plants that you really prize, then safely put them into pots for safekeeping. Otherwise, there’s a chance that they will be trampled, covered in dust, or otherwise damaged over the course of the construction process. You can then replant them once the building work is complete. Additionally, it might be that the roots of trees and shrubs present problems with plumbing logistics and that some careful landscaping work needs to take effect. Underground space may need to be cleared for new pipes to feature too.
As well as fixing blocked drains in Bromley, companies like Drain Detectives can also conduct build over surveys, ensuring that suitable plumbing arrangements can be made and that your plans comply with the law. They also use camera systems to ensure that all existing pipes are structurally sound, which means if problems occur later, you then have evidence that your building works were not to blame. If your extension is also expanding on your kitchen, for instance, then services like theirs are good to have in a supporting role over a prolonged period in maintaining your drains.
Your Roof Choice Matters
When it comes to extensions, a common choice must be made between flat or pitched varieties.
Sticking with the theme of drainage, a pitched roof will mean that rainwater will run down and off it harmlessly. However, flat rooves however are more prone to leaks as rainwater accumulates atop them, even dangerously so in intense storms. If a flat roof’s asphalt surfaces are not suitably covered with stone chippings, then leaks are even more likely to happen, so constant vigilance is required here also.
Moss and weeds grow in abundance on flat roofs too, which regularly need to be culled to keep everything in order. Ultimately, by having a flat roof, you may be signing up for a larger commitment than you initially realised, so a pitched roof could be best.
The Materials You Use Matter
Traditional conservatories can get too warm in the summer if they’re south-facing.
Therefore, using bricks and tiles will help you control the heat of your extension better than materials such as plastic and glass. You will also minimise or even eliminate invasive sun glare. Moreover, you can also put foam blocks between the bricks, providing better insulation in the colder months.
Another reason to use brick is that it may look more consistent with your home, whereas more traditional conservatories can standout rather starkly. Of course, this may be your intention, but it may be worth thinking about if you want your home to have more aesthetical flow.
