Home extensions and renovations Planning your renovations
It's crucial to plan your extension carefully
Extending your property is a great way to get the house of your dreams. More space, an extra bedroom, an en suite bathroom or a beautiful new conservatory can transform your home.
But it’s important to plan carefully, working out the best way to get more space, and booking contractors in plenty of time. It is also essential to go through the correct planning procedures, so you don’t trip over any legal hurdles.
Planning permission and building regulations
Most major changes to your home, such as an extension, need consent - known as planning permission. The government guide to planning permission will give you an idea of whether you need consent for your extension or conversion. However, your local authority decides how planning is managed in your area, so you will need to contact your local planning office.
Building regulations set standards for certain building jobs. For some jobs this means that you will need to have them checked by your local authority to ensure that they meet these standards.
Neighbours and party walls
It is important to consider your neighbours and what effect your extension or conversion will have on them – they may lose sunlight or become overlooked. Talk to them before you seek planning permission.
You might also need a party wall agreement for semi-detached or terraced houses and flats, building on a boundary or excavating near a boundary – see our guidance on party walls.
If you have adjoining properties, your neighbours might be interested in extending in the same way, so you could cut the costs. You’d need to draw up a contract between you and then with the builder, just in case one party has difficulties paying or you disagree on how to move forward with the extension or conversion.
Choosing a tradesperson
The best way top find a tradesperson is by recommendation, so ask friends and family. You can also use Which? Local to find recommended traders in your area.
For more information about avoiding cowboys, see the Which? guide to tradespeople. You should also make sure you draw up a contract in case anything does go wrong.
Key questions to ask before embarking on extensions or conversions
Is building an extension or major conversion work the only way to achieve what you want?
Investigate all the options - there may be a way to create the extra space that's less hassle and cheaper than building an extension. For instance, check that you are using all the space in your property to the best effect. More than 80% of people use their garage for storage rather than parking, so consider converting this instead of extending.
How long are you prepared to put up with major disruption?
Most of us underestimate the hassle involved in an extension or conversion. Your house will become a dusty building site for weeks or months, and the first law of building is that there are always unexpected problems during construction .
What is your minimum and maximum budget – and how much can you put aside for contingency funds?
What is the extra space going to be used for?
If you are creating a games room with a snooker table, or a dining area, your extension or conversion will need to be a minimum size. Don’t forget to consider how you will heat the new room and what appliances you are likely to need, so you can assess what electrics are required.