2 tips for those who want to add an extension to their home
Posted on: 29 August 2018
When done to a high standard, home extensions can add a lot of value to properties and make them a lot easier to sell. If you're thinking about building an extension onto your home, you may find the following tips to be helpful.
1. Find some temporary accommodation to stay in for the duration of the extension process
It is generally best to live elsewhere whilst the extension is being built. Whilst it would certainly be cheaper to remain in your home throughout the construction process, doing so may have a serious impact on your quality of life and perhaps even your health.
There are a few reasons why it is not advisable to stay at home during this process. The first is that you and your family members are likely to find the constant stream of loud, repetitive noises created by the tools your contractor uses to be extremely distressing.
You should not underestimate how difficult this will be to endure; whilst most people can tolerate loud noise for short periods of time, the vast majority will find it extremely stressful to listen to constant sawing, hammering and drilling for weeks on end. This noise may not only be upsetting but also highly distracting, which could be very problematic if you have children who need to do their homework every day, or if you work from home.
The second reason is that the timber and plaster dust that will be ever-present during the construction process may leave you and your family members coughing and wheezing continuously whilst you are inside your home. This could be especially unpleasant for anyone in your household who suffers from conditions that result in breathing difficulties (like asthma, for instance).
As such, it is best to stay somewhere else whilst the extension is being built. Ideally, you should try to find a place that is relatively close to home so that you can visit your property and monitor the progress of the building work on a regular basis.
2. Advise your neighbours of your plans
It is also sensible to advise your neighbours of your plans to add the extension. The reason for this is as follows; both the construction of the extension and the end results of the process may affect your neighbour's ability to enjoy living in their homes.
They may find the construction noise unpleasant and may be upset if the finished extension overlooks their garden, or casts a large shadow across a suntrap in their outdoor area.
If you don't discuss your plans before your contractor starts building the extension, your neighbours may complain and even try to put a stop to the entire construction process (they may, for example, decide to sue if they believe that the extension will have a negative impact on their property).
Given this, it is worth taking the time to sit down with your neighbours and explain your plans. This will give them a chance to voice their concerns and will ensure that you can take their needs into consideration when your contractor begins the process of drawing up the plans for the extension.
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