Common Extension Mistakes to Avoid
Undertaking an extension project is exciting. You get to design a space that meets your exact needs and fits your vision. However, the process can feel daunting and overwhelming as there are so many parts that need to be considered. In this sense of overwhelm, it can be easy to make a mistake, which can be costly and time-consuming.
From skipping planning permission to underestimating the budget or even choosing the wrong design, mistakes can severely set your project back, which is something you don’t want.
At Richard Thomas, we have been helping homeowners across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire extend their homes with conservatories, extensions, orangeries and porches since 2008. Our team are experts at the whole process and knows when the likely time for pitfalls is. Working with you throughout the whole process, we are able to guide you through the tricky times to ensure you get everything right the first time.
In this blog, we share some of the common mistakes that are made during an extension project so you can avoid them.
Common Mistakes in Extension Projects
In our 15 years of improving homes, we have seen several mistakes repeatedly happen.
Skipping Proper Planning and Permissions
Most extensions don’t need planning permission because they fall under your Permitted Development Rights.
However, there are some cases when it is needed, and we always recommend you check with your local council before doing anything on your project.
If you skip this phase and get on with building an extension, conservatory or orangery that meets planning permission requirements, you could face several consequences:
- An enforcement notice that details actions you need to take:
- Undo the changes made
- Apply for planning permission
- Demolish the extension
- Difficulty selling or remortgage
- Face restrictive covenants
As mentioned above, the solution to avoid this is to check with your local authority that you don’t need planning permission.
Alternatively, you can speak to experts, such as ourselves, who will be able to guide you through whether or not you need to apply for planning permission based on detailed drawings of your designs.
Poor Planning and Underestimating the Budget
Any type of extension project requires a lot of detailed planning, from foundations to roof types to electrical components and final interior design.
All of this planning links with the overall cost of the project, allowing you to work within your budget.
However, sometimes things don’t go as expected, and the task ends up costing a bit more than initially thought.
Proper planning will include some emergency money set aside as part of the budget, predicting where challenges may be faced so that you have the time and money to deal with them.
Without taking time to plan the project, you can’t know where problems might be, so how can you budget for them?
Of course, the last thing you want to happen is to run out of money halfway through the project.
Choosing the Wrong Design
For a seamless blend of space, you must choose a style that complements your home’s structure.
There are several types of extensions, each offering unique design styles and features. This gives you options to find a design that will suit your personal preferences and match the existing building of your home.
A mismatched extension style will create an eyesore on your property, likely reducing the ease of selling it if and when you choose to.
On top of this, you want to make sure that the space you are building maximises the space available and the interior is designed to optimise the area.
The extension will impact your house in ways you won’t consider at first, so it is important to take a minute to think about things like how the lighting blend with the existing house lighting, the flow of heating and air as well as the flow of the spaces integrating.
Avoid these mistakes by asking questions such as:
- How will the extension impact natural light entering the house?
- Do I need to upgrade the heating system?
- Will the plumbing or electrical wiring need rerouting?
- How does it fit into the existing pathways around the house?
If you are extending a specific space, for example, the kitchen, it is also important to ask how the additional space will work with the current layout of the room. Will you need to rearrange the layout to make it ergonomic?
Working with a professional extension company is also an incredibly helpful resource for this. They can bring their wealth of experience and knowledge to your project quite often, meaning they will have answers to the questions fairly quickly and can provide solutions where needed.
Ignoring Natural Light and Ventilation
The last thing you want your new extension to be is dark and stuffy.
This is why you need to think about how you are going to let natural light in and ventilate the room.
Considering these aspects of the extension are often part of the design phase, which makes the planning and design stage even more important.
While conservatories are known for being predominantly glass, these are still things that need considering, especially with more modern and energy-efficient designs.
The solution to this is to include large windows, bi-fold doors, skylights, and proper ventilation systems in your designs and plans.
Hiring Unqualified Contractors
The trade sector is saturated, and people are looking to offer the best price for the work. However, as with anything, sometimes buying cheap means buying twice.
Hiring someone cheap might mean lacking quality, meaning you run into compliance issues, aesthetic problems and stress.
When researching contractors such as electricians, decorators or others, make sure you look beyond the prices and into the person or company.
Ask to see examples of their work, testimonials, accreditations or qualifications and guarantees or warranties. These are all indicators of the quality of their work, giving you confidence in their abilities.
Failing to Consider Future Needs
An extension is going to last a lifetime, so you need it to work for you over the years as well as in the here and now.
Sometimes, getting so wrapped up in the present and your current needs can prevent you from thinking about how the extension will serve you in the future.
This can lead to some regrets further down the line, as the space becomes redundant because you can’t use it how you now need to.
The method to avoid this sounds simple, but it can take a bit of time to do.
When planning, you need to think about it with long-term goals in mind. Are you planning on expanding the family? Or will the family living in the house scale down as kids move out? Will it always be needed as a playroom? If not, how else would you be able to use the space?
The crux of avoiding this problem is to ask yourself, “If I no longer use it for this purpose, how else will I use it? Does it suit this other use? If not, how can I design it to fit both now?”
Working through this process will save you a lot of frustration in the future as you will be able to smoothly transition from one use to another without any problems.
Tips for a Successful Extension
While there are things you should do to avoid the common mistakes of an extension project, there are also a few tips for a successful project.
- Define your goals and purpose for the space
- Set a realistic budget – accounting for contingency funds
- Research and hire professionals
- Understand planning permission and Building Regulations
- Choose quality materials
- Prioritise a functional design
- Communicate clearly with your team
- Express a time frame but be willing to be flexible
- Get everything in writing
- Monitor progress
Being involved in the project and creating a good, trusting relationship with the contractors will make all the difference to your project. It will enable you to have confidence in the work that is going on.
One of the biggest tips is to use a turnkey service from a company such as Richard Thomas. This will mean the same team and company design and install your extension, keeping it all under one roof for a smooth transition, easy management and clear communication.
Successful Extensions With Richard Thomas
Avoiding mistakes such as ignoring planning permission needs, choosing the wrong design, or hiring unqualified contractors is easy with Richard Thomas.
Our team have been providing comprehensive extension services to Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire for the past 15 years.
During this time, we have become familiar with everything in the areas, from typical house designs to the planning permission regulations. This means we can offer insightful and useful guidance and advice throughout the early stages of the project, which translates into a smooth build of your extension.
On top of this, we design and install the extension in-house, meaning one team works on your project. We project manage the whole process as part of this, so you don’t have to worry about hiring and organising various contractors.
Throughout the process, specifically the design phase, our team knows all the right questions to ask, making sure you think about everything, including the impact of the extension on the house and future plans.
Interested in working with us for an extension, conservatory, orangery or porch? Get in touch with our team to discuss your ideas and get a quote. Call us on 01202 488944 or complete our online contact form to request a callback.
