Extend your home: 6 Cost-Effective Ideas To Use When Extending Your Home
Five of the best ways to extend your home
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Posted by Sophie Baylis
- Extensions
Extending your property gives you the chance to tailor it to your needs and boost its value. We explore some of the most popular options.
It’s common to find that your home doesn’t quite work for you any more. Perhaps your family’s outgrown it, or its layout is dated or no longer suits your lifestyle. Whatever the reason, you have plenty of options. Moving is one of them, but it’s a daunting proposition, especially if you like the area and your kids are settled at school. A more manageable choice is to invest time and money in an extension: it’ll give you the house you need in the area you love.
Could a side return extension create the space for that kitchen-diner you’ve always dreamed of? Will a conservatory provide the year-round connection to your garden you crave? We look at some of the most popular extension types to help you make the right decision for your property and lifestyle.
1. Consider a side extension
If your period terrace or semi-detached house has retained its original kitchen, this will probably be separate from the main living rooms and tucked away in a narrow rear projection known as a closet wing or outrigger. This rear projection results in an L-shaped garden and a side return, a redundant strip of land at the side of the house.
This interior layout often doesn’t work for 21st century living, which is why many homeowners are opting to extend the kitchen into the side return. By reclaiming this space, you can create an open-plan kitchen and family room without sacrificing too much of the garden.
More good news: if your side return extension is considered to be permitted development, you won’t need planning permission as long as the work satisfies certain criteria. However, all side return extensions need approval under building regulations. These are different from planning permission: they set standards for the design and construction to ensure safety. Your design may need to incorporate a structural engineer’s calculations, which you submit together with drawings as part of your building regulations application.
You can apply for building regulations approval from your local authority building control service by submitting a full plans application or a building notice.
Discover more about permitted developments, planning permission and building regulations for side return extensions.
John Lewis of Hungerford added large bi-fold doors along the back wall of this side return extension to increase the light into the room and lend focus to the outside space.
2. Invest in a rear extension
Another popular way to create more living space and add significant value is with a single-storey rear extension. To make it successful, you’ll need to make sure you have the right people on the project from the start: single-storey rear extensions are relatively simple, but a small mistake can quickly add stress, delays and cost.
Start by finding a good builder with a callout to friends and family for recommendations. Ask for references from builders who seem right for your plans, and always follow them up. Ideally, check out projects they’ve worked on too, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Make sure your renovation runs smoothly with our guide to finding the right people.
Just because a rear extension is fairly straightforward doesn’t mean it’ll be plain sailing. There are some legal steps you need to follow, and whatever their size, single-storey extensions can still be stressful to manage and prone to costly errors.
Read on for our tips on navigating the obstacles and keeping your building project stress free.
This generous rear extension has made space for an open-plan kitchen and living room. Sliding doors from Express Bi-folding Doors establish a seamless connection with the garden. For more ways to create an indoor-outdoor kitchen, click here.
3. What about a wrap-around extension?
A side return extension combined with a rear extension results in a large, L-shaped space that wraps around your home to create living space on two sides.
This may give you the modern open-plan room you want, but it could feel empty unless it’s zoned carefully in areas for cooking, dining and relaxing. Identifying these zones will also help you keep the room organised and cohesive.
Need inspiration? You’ll find plenty of tips and tricks in our guide to zoning an open-plan kitchen and living space.
This Edwardian terrace was extended to the side and rear to house this super contemporary Record Cucine kitchen featuring a mixture of materials to help ground the design. Designed by Hub Kitchens.
4. Add a conservatory
Conservatories are relatively quick to build and flexible when it comes to use. What’s more, they’re a cost-effective way to extend your home – provided you get the build quality right.
“A conservatory should last for decades and be totally useable day and night, 365 days a year, allowing you to recoup your outlay,” says Mark Caulfield of The Caulfield Company. “Good glass extensions also add value to homes when they’re sold – buyers see them not just as an extra room but also as a lifestyle-enhancing space,” he adds.
Always use a reputable company registered with a governing body such as the Glass and Glazing Federation or FENSA. Also, check that the company you choose offers a guarantee covering the major parts of the build.
If you already have a conservatory, you can can change it into a room that keeps cool in the summer and warm in the winter and can be used all year. Here is how much it would cost you.
We answer some common questions that’ll help get your conservatory plans off the ground.
This traditional conservatory by The Caulfield Company replaces a long-lost glasshouse, the outline of which could still be seen on the outside wall of this Grade II-listed Georgian vicarage. Bespoke designs from
5. Do you want a double-height extension?
A two-storey extension creates space for a new kitchen-diner with scope for an extra bedroom or bathroom on top. Alternatively, leave a void between the floors to create a stunning double-height space.
Similar to a single-storey extension, if your property has full permitted developments rights attached to it, then you may be able to extend over two storeys without planning permission. As before, this is subject to limits and conditions. For example, extensions greater than one storey mustn’t extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres (the term “original house” means the house as it was when it was first built, or as it stood on 1 July 1948).
Take a look at neighbouring properties if you need inspiration. This will also give you a good idea as to what’s feasible and allowed. Remember though, this doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have an application accepted or be able to build under the permitted development rules. You should always check with your local planning office before getting started on an extension project.
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Looking to take your living space to the next level? Extend a Home is the ideal designer and builder for homeowners just like you who want to enjoy an easy, efficient experience of extending a home. Adding more room to live and grow is simple, straightforward and stress-free with Extend a Home, residential renovations.
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First Floor Additions
Our dedicated designers and builders specialise in high-quality first floor additions. We are determined to bring your vision to life with an extension that exceeds your expectations. When done right, extensions can be a fantastic investment for your family, and we make sure this project is done promptly and professionally.
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Ground Floor Extensions
The trusted Extend a Home team will guide you through the entire process of ground floor extensions. This should be a pleasant, easy process for you, and we will handle all the work so you can relax and focus on your daily life. We pride ourselves on efficient services, and we even offer a guarantee for our customers. If you feel like your home extension project with us was more stressful than expected, Extend a Home will pay for a relaxing weekend getaway for you and your family.
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Major Home Renovations
Residential renovations are designed to enhance your lifestyle and give you more space to live and entertain. In order to achieve the best end result, you need to enlist the help of professional renovators who focus on extensions day in and day out. We have served countless clients over the years and our impressive project portfolio is a testament to our amazing building abilities.
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Your Pre-Approved Design
Whether you have existing plans in place or you need new plans drawn up, we can help. Our brilliant building designers have the technical knowledge and expertise to turn your ideas and inspiration into a beautiful addition to your home. Tell us what you want to see in your extension, and we will make it happen. We love working together with homeowners to ensure the finished project suits their lifestyle and makes the house feel more like a home.
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What Our Clients Say
Project: When the house was renovated by Extend a Home, I felt as if we’d doubled our house size. I just felt this was realy the home the would set us up for the next 10 years. The way they designed and built into it, it felt a lot larger, like we got a lot more bang for the buck than we expected we would
Trent & Emma
Project: I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven in this house.I walk in, and it’s a sense of peace ’cause the openness and the light. It’s like people rent a place like this for their summer holidays and I feel like I’m here.
Deidre
Project:
I felt like my dream had come true. This is a house that we can leave our sons with confidence so it was an investment as much as it was a lifestyle change. With renovating and extending,we’ve got more storage, especially the study and the library. As a handyman myself, I was looking for attention to detail.in the work they did, the quality of the work, so nothing is too hard and it sort of just ran smoothly
Steve & Jane
Project:
When the house was fully renovated, I felt like it was somewhere that I wanted to stay for the rest of my life it really is a friendly home to be proud of, My experience working with Extend a Home was far more pleasant than I ever thought it could be
Michele & Glen
Project: When the house was newly renovated by Extend a Home, we fet so happy, we finally got the property that we’d actually envisaged in our minds and that we always wanted. Its delivered everything that we expected and more
Richard McPartlin
Project: When Extend A Home extended our home I felt that everything was under control while they are managing the project they know what they are doing and I feel that I’m safe in their hands.We needed the space for our relatives that come over and would like to live in this place a bit longer
Wilson & Lisa
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13 Tips
to Planning Renovations
These tips have been formulated as solutions to the most common mistakes homeowners make when undertaking their ground and first floor extensions. We have devised this guide through our knowledge and experience in the building industry, combined with feedback from our client’s experiences over many years of working with them to improve their homes.
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5 Reasons To Extend Your Home With Extension Architecture
1. Add value to your property
One of the most obvious reasons for extending your home is that it increases the value of your property. Here at Extension Architecture, we provide you with creative and innovative design solutions that are practical, aesthetically pleasing and matches the style of your existing house.
2. Adapt your house to your lifestyle
Extensions are a great way to gain that extra valuable space needed for your growing family without the stress of uprooting and disrupting your current lifestyle. Adding extra living space allows for increased family quality time, with more space for your family to spend time together. Extending your house can modernise and improve the efficiency of your home, with more people deciding to create open plan kitchen and living areas, making larger sociable spaces.
3. Avoid the hassle and cost of moving
Moving house can be very stressful, especially when you also have to worry about moving your kids to a different school and juggle between work. Settling into an unfamiliar area can be difficult and takes time, deciding to build an extension means that you can avoid this problem and allows you to stay in the area you know and love!
4.
Utilise your existing space
Make use of the space you already have, such as in the loft. Deciding on a loft conversion means that you could gain an extra bedroom and possible en suite for your home, further adding value to your property. Optimising the current space you have is an efficient way to gain the most out of your home.
5. Design tailored to you
After living in your house for so long there are always some aspects you wish you could add or change, such as having that little bit more space in the kitchen or having a walk in wardrobe in your bedroom. Extending your home means that you can choose what to do with the new added space and gives you control of the design.
Extending your home is easier than you think. We, at Extension Architecture, are here to guide you through the process from planning through to build. Our in house team of architects, planning consultants and interior designers will always aim to find you a creative solution, no matter how large or small the project.
Let Extension Architecture help you create the extension you want!
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Extension Architecture
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1. Add value to your property
One of the most obvious reasons for extending your home is that it increases the value of your property. Here at Extension Architecture, we provide you with creative and innovative design solutions that are practical, aesthetically pleasing and matches the style of your existing house.
2. Adapt your house to your lifestyle
Extensions are a great way to gain that extra valuable space needed for your growing family without the stress of uprooting and disrupting your current lifestyle. Adding extra living space allows for increased family quality time, with more space for your family to spend time together. Extending your house can modernise and improve the efficiency of your home, with more people deciding to create open plan kitchen and living areas, making larger sociable spaces.
3. Avoid the hassle and cost of moving
Moving house can be very stressful, especially when you also have to worry about moving your kids to a different school and juggle between work. Settling into an unfamiliar area can be difficult and takes time, deciding to build an extension means that you can avoid this problem and allows you to stay in the area you know and love!
4. Utilise your existing space
Make use of the space you already have, such as in the loft. Deciding on a loft conversion means that you could gain an extra bedroom and possible en suite for your home, further adding value to your property. Optimising the current space you have is an efficient way to gain the most out of your home.
5. Design tailored to you
After living in your house for so long there are always some aspects you wish you could add or change, such as having that little bit more space in the kitchen or having a walk in wardrobe in your bedroom. Extending your home means that you can choose what to do with the new added space and gives you control of the design.
Extending your home is easier than you think. We, at Extension Architecture, are here to guide you through the process from planning through to build. Our in house team of architects, planning consultants and interior designers will always aim to find you a creative solution, no matter how large or small the project.
Let Extension Architecture help you create the extension you want!
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6 Reasons to Extend Your Home Rather Than Sell It
After years of comfortably living in your home, you have a dilemma on your hands. Maybe you want to start raising a family. Kick start your own small business. Or simply give yourself a new space to call your own. Regardless of the reason, your existing house just isn’t big enough anymore.
When this happens, you have two options: move in to a new home that better fits your needs, or build a new house extension. While each of these two options have their own distinct pros and cons, there are key advantages to building a home extension that makes it a more sensible choice.
Here are 6 reasons why it’s often better to stay on home turf and upgrade rather than move out.
Stay Where You Love:
Chances are you have probably spent a few years living in your current suburb. And, unless you have some major issues that cannot be overlooked – for example, the crime rate is high or the location is inconvenient –, then you have probably grown quite fond of the existing area.
Simply put, you know where everything is. Your house is conveniently located near all the shops, your children’s school, your job, and your close circle of friends. Perhaps there are some great parks and recreation areas nearby too. As a result, you know exactly where everything is and the best route to get there.
By investing in a house extension, you get to enjoy the benefits of a bigger home and continue to stay where you love. You don’t have to change jobs, schools, or make any other major lifestyle changes. How’s that for convenience?
Avoid the Hassle of Moving:
Moving house can be a long, painstaking process. You have to advertise your home on the market, host property inspections and the auction, negotiate with potential buyers and go through the settlement process.
On top of this, you have to find a new home to live in which involves going to your own house inspections, bidding at auctions, and going through the entire sale process. With this double-whammy of commitments, it can really bring your life to a screeching halt.
In comparison, a house extension is much easier. Sure, there are things you have to do – such as attend meetings, design the extension with a draftsperson, get council approval, acquire funding, and go through the building process –, but overall the process is less time-consuming and you get to keep living in the same house afterwards.
Freedom of Design:
When it comes to buying a new home, unless you plan to buy a plot of land and build a new home from scratch, you are ultimately limited to pre-made homes that – although technically proficient – may not ‘quite’ fit your lifestyle needs.
How many times have you been initially impressed by a prospective home only to be let down by a minor flaw? For instance, you find a great looking 3 bedroom house, only to discover the third bedroom is far smaller than the other two. Or perhaps it has one too few bathrooms to fit your exact needs.
With a house extension, however, this is no longer a problem. You get to keep everything you love about your existing home and make it even better. You have the freedom make an existing room bigger, build new rooms, and even add a new first-floor addition.
As a result, you can build rooms that you previously couldn’t have – for instance, a personal gym or home theatre – and repurpose existing rooms to better fit your lifestyle needs.
Boost the Resale Value of Your Home:
Adding a new extension to your home is pretty much guaranteed to boost the overall value of the property. Of course, how much value it adds will depend on the type of room. For instance, a secondary bathroom will most likely garner a higher resale value than a dedicated pool room. Again, this depends on what rooms your house already has and what the market perceives to be of value.
By far, the best way to find out what kind of extension is right for you is to speak to a local designer/builder. They can assess your existing layout, listen to your ideas, and propose a custom extension that fits your lifestyle needs and is guaranteed to boost the overall value of the property. You can also speak to your local estate agent to find out what type of extensions are currently in demand.
Keep in mind, you should always focus on what rooms you think will make your home life better. Don’t just go with an extension that an article told you would yield the highest resale value. Consider the specific needs of your family and how an extension can fill in the gaps of your current lifestyle.
More Affordable Than Moving:
Both moving into a new home and a house extension each have their own unique set of costs.
When you move, you are not only banking on the profit you earn from the sale of your home, but you have to consider associated costs like estate agent fees, stamp duty, title searches, survey fees, removalist costs, and the potential cost of refurbishing the new place.
When you extend, how much you pay will depend on the size (per square meter), the type of extension, including other associated costs like paying the builder, council approval, site surveys, excavation, and the cost of materials.
Which one is right for you? Again, this is not an easy question to answer. It depends on the current value of your home, and what the value potentially could be if you were to extend. Your best bet is to seek out a few estimates from your local builders and take on-board their expert advice. You can also review properties in the market that are of a similar type to what you want.
Personalise Your Home:
Have you been living in your home for a few years yet it still doesn’t quite feel like home yet? Extending is the perfect chance for you to truly ‘own’ your home. Whether you want to build extra bedrooms, a private office, or a second living room – an extension lets you tailor the home to suit your individual needs and taste.
On top of this, you can update the interior and exterior design of the home as well to give it a personal touch. Or, if you are already happy with the style of your home, you can make sure the extension blends in seamlessly with the existing design. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Should You Extend Your Home Or Sell It?
After years of comfortably living in your home, the time may come when you must consider whether to sell or extend your current property if you are in need for extra space. This is a common dilemma for many homeowners who are either desperate for extra space or want to create major changes to the property where they currently live.
There are several reasons why homeowners get to a certain stage in their lives and decide that they need more space. Perhaps you’ve grown your family and the space that you once shared is now too small and cramped for everyone to enjoy. Perhaps you want to have an extra room for a home office, maybe a workshop room to practice your hobbies, or even a home gym! All of these options are becoming more and more common and popular in a new Covid19 world where we all spend more time at home and so many of the places we once used to love visiting, such as the gym, are still shut.
Regardless of the reason, there’s a lot to consider before deciding on the next step. Whether it makes more sense to sell or to extend depends on various factors – the costs, your plans in the future, your emotional attachment to the house, the area you live in and on the current state of the housing market.
In this post, we’ve cited some considerations that you should be making to figure out whether it’s better to opt for a home extension and improvement or a sell up and move up.
Home Extension
A house extension could be an affordable and cost-effective way of improving your property’s market value. The opportunity to add value to the property will depend on the type of the extension you’ll decide to build. For instance, a three-bed house that’s been upgraded to four-bed will likely bring in a higher resale value.
Before embarking on your extension project, here are some of the extension types homeowners usually consider:
· Single storey or rear extension
· Double or multiple storey
· Kitchen extension
· Garage conversions
· Loft conversion
· Wrap around or L-shaped extension
· Basement conversion
The costs will widely depend on the location, type of extension you choose to construct, the size and the quality of the works. The bigger the home development, the more expensive it can get. Don’t forget to factor in these extra costs that you might incur as well:
· Architect’s fees
· Planning Permission fees
· Property surveys
· Building regulation checks which are typically 10% of the extension cost
With these associated costs in mind, it’s very important to think about whether your investment is likely to pay dividends in the long run. It’s important that you speak to a professional too to help you assess whether what you want to do is actually viable.
In the UK today, the housing market is unpredictable and unprecedented, and the supply of housing has not been keeping up with demand which is why many people might consider staying in their current home and improve it rather than moving. That is a way practical and a smart option for now as growing families seek more space and the house prices continuously grow.
Selling & Relocating
Building an extension can be exhausting and the costs involved are undeniably significant. If you think it isn’t the best option for you and you don’t have any intention to stay in your property for the long-term, then selling your home and moving into a new property might be the answer.
The dilemma of whether to move or not is a complicated one and families and individuals will often take months or years or deliberation before they actually put their property on the market. In the UK, it is currently a sellers market which means, in short, that the demand for properties is outstripping the supply. In theory, you will therefore have a higher number of people viewing your property if you decide to sell it and in turn, a higher probability of selling it quickly for the price you require. The challenging part is finding a new home to move into all at the same time. It is important to work closely with estate agents you know and trust to help make the move as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
It is important to understand the local trends in your housing market and the total costs involved in selling a home. Hiring an estate agent could also help you set a fair and competitive selling price for your home. Just like building an extension, there are plenty of costs involved in selling too, for example:
· Property survey – starts from around £400
· Average house deposit – you need at least 5% to 20% of the purchase price
· Estate agent fees – usually 1% to 3% of the sale price
· Legal fees – legal works comes up with fess typically £850-£1,500
· Valuation fees – cost can be £150-£1,500 based on the property’s value
· Surveyor fees – survey costing ranges around £250 to £600 or more
· Removal costs – range from £300-£600, although you could rent a van do it yourself
· Stamp Duty
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a home mover, it is important to know about these costs and be prepared so nothing leaves your surprised or out of pocket.
The Pros and Cons of Extending and Selling Your Home
Extending your home
Pros
· Cost-effective option – the cost of relocating from your owned property to a new one can be far higher than if you were extending.
· Increased property value – properties with an added extension becomes appealing to potential buyers.
· Adding more space without relocating – having an extra space without stressful process of selling and moving.
· You don’t have to leave the area that you love, where you know the neighbors and have friends.
· You work with an architect and builder to create an extension of the right size and design for your family.
Cons
· ROI is not guaranteed for some properties which may be subject to restrictions that prevent them from being extended or converted.
· Expect everyday disruptions when the construction begins. There will be some disruption while the extension is being built – it’s inevitable.
· Trouble with neighbors – you will need to inform your neighbors of your extension plan and you may require a party wall agreement to continue.
· Rogue builders – you may have never needed a local bulder before and it can be tough to find a decent one. Check out our blog post for tips on how to find a great builder.
Selling your home
Pros
· Financially more viable – if you move to a cheaper location, this can actually prove more cost-effective for you or even help you make a profit.
· You have the freedom to find the right house in the right place – it just depends on its availability within your desired area.
· If you are capable of buying, you don’t have to experience any disruptions from builders.
Cons
· Moving house is expensive and the costs really mount up between stamp duty, estate agents fees, etc.
· Packing and the cost of physically moving everything could also add to the stress.
· You may be needing a bigger mortgage to fund your dream home with an extra space you wanted
· You might be parting with friends in the neighborhood and extended family.
Final thoughts…
Selling your home can be a long and stressful process much like extending it — both can take months to process. With the cost of selling rising and a housing stock shortage in the UK, a lot of people often choose to “do-up” instead to “sell up”. However, some people find it more convenient to move into a new house and start over entirely, while others would rather not sell it and do extend.
Both options should be considered and the final decision will truly depend on individual preferences and individual situations.
How to extend your home WITHOUT planning permission
LOCKDOWN restrictions have left us itching for more space to relax, work and socialise in our own homes.
In fact, more than half of homeowners said they were planning to improve their homes this year by adding bedrooms, an office and even their own private bar, according to a survey by Rated People.
1
Many home extensions do not need planning permissionCredit: Getty
If you’re thinking of extending your house, you can pick a project that doesn’t need planning permission saving you time and money.
Convert your unused space
Converting an attached garage can cost from £5,000 to £7,500. If you’re using an architect or there are structural questions like whether the foundations are sound, then costs can rise.
You shouldn’t need planning permission unless you add new external windows or doors or there is a planning restriction in your property deeds that bans a conversion.
Loft conversions are another way of making use of wasted space. Depending on the type of conversion, style and finish, prices range from £17,000 to around £50,000.
Not to mention the two-month wait for approval.
To keep costs low, don’t make changes to external walls like adding a dormer window.
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Loft conversions are classed as a permitted development (PD). Householders are given permitted development rights to alter or extend their homes without planning permission.
This saves you a £206 application fee and the cost of professional advice and drawings which in total can set you back around £2,000.
But be warned, the permitted development rule book is big and complicated.
For example, the rules say a loft conversion cannot extend higher than your roof and it can’t be more than 50 cubic metres (40 for a terraced house), which is enough space for a bedroom.
Adding a room
A single storey rear extension is the most popular and easiest building work to carry out using your rights. The average cost is £35,000. Here are the PD rules:
- Detached homes extensions can be up to four metres long.
- Semi-detached homes or terraced houses are restricted to three metres.
- Neither can be higher than four metres
- Larger single-storey rear extensions of up to eight metres for a detached house/ six metres for a semi or terrace are allowed with prior approval.
Applying for prior approval is almost like a full planning application but has a cheaper application fee of £96.
Adding a home office in the garden
Working from a home has become a way of life for many families.
Gregory Smith, property expert at priceyourjob.co.uk, said: “If you have garden space you may well be able to add a shed, garden office or outbuilding so long as it does not exceed 50% of the garden area.
“It cannot be used to live in but would be the perfect answer to home working.”
Other PD limitations include a height restriction of 2.5 metres to the eaves and four metres overall.
It costs between, £15,000 to £17,000 to erect a single room office in the garden.
Exceptions to the rule
Flats and maisonettes, converted houses or houses in conservation areas are among the properties that don’t have PD rights. Check with your local authority to find out.
You also need to know if any extensions or alterations have already been made to your home.
Whatever work has taken place since 1948 will count towards the total amount of work you can do under PD rules.
Check your local authority’s online planning portal for historic applications. You can also see what planning applications your neighbours have made to give you some ideas.
Legally sound
A Lawful Development Certificate gives you certainty in the eyes of the law that your project is a permitted development.
Andrew Cann, director of Planning Direct, said: “The PD legislation has so many exemptions and is poorly worded you might think you don’t need planning permission when you do.
“Obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate will help you avoid a costly demolition process or being unable to sell your house in the future.”
You’ll need to provide full details of your intended project, with plans, to your council and explain how it fits within your rights.
“It costs around £1,250 for all the work including an application fee which is half the cost of a full planning application fee.
Simple solutions
“Keep it simple because if you start to complicate the design, construction and building materials your costs will spiral,” Mr Smith added.
“Try hiring self-employed tradespeople to save on VAT costs too.”
His tip to cut down on professional fees such as architects, planning consultants or structural engineers is to find one who will produce planning and Building Regulations drawings for a fixed, all-in one price.
Use websites like Checkatrade.com, mybuilder.com or priceyourjob.co.uk to compare costs of hiring a professional.
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How to increase the area of a private house?
Some time after putting a private house into operation, many owners become short of living space. In such a situation, many questions arise: how to increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe house, is it possible to expand a private house and how to do it with maximum efficiency.
Construction of an extension to a private house allows you to expand the usable area of the building. Most often, an extension means the creation of additional rooms at the level of the basement or attic. The expansion of a one-story building to a two-story building is a laborious and costly process. Therefore, even at the design stage of the structure, it is worth considering whether it will be necessary to expand the facility in the future. In the project, it is important to provide for the possibility of converting the attic space into living rooms. At the same time, it must be remembered that the expansion requires compliance with all formalities, which will allow construction work to be carried out in accordance with the law.
Use the search in the Building Companion catalog to select the right contractor who is thoroughly versed in building codes and regulations for low-rise housing construction. The profile of each company contains the necessary information, portfolio, reviews, you can place a request for an estimate of the cost of the service.
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How to increase the area of the house due to the extension?
There are three ways to expand a building. Most often, the owners choose one of these two solutions: an addition to the side or the creation of an add-on. Sometimes, with very large investments, both types of expansion are carried out simultaneously or a lateral expansion is performed while adapting the attic to housing needs.
If an addition to an old building is being considered, the owners often decide to make significant changes to the interior layout of the rooms. Thanks to the extension, they can be enlarged and adapted to modern architectural trends. Basically, we are talking about interconnecting living spaces – living room, dining room and kitchen. As a rule, partitions are completely abandoned or they turn into transparent walls, which allows you to optically illuminate and enlarge the interior. It also allows you to create more comfortable conditions for family members to live together.
How to make an extension in a private house?
When extending a house, it is necessary to remember that all formalities are observed so that the actions performed are not regarded as a building violation. Before performing any action, you should find out if such work is possible under specific conditions. Just a few years ago, expanding a house required a building permit. Currently, if the extension does not violate the boundaries of the site, and the structure is located in accordance with the rules of distance from the boundary of the site, the owner just needs to notify the local structural unit for urban planning and architecture of the intention to expand the house.
An important element in preparing for an extension is familiarization with the current local zoning plan or building conditions prepared individually for the site, if it is not included in the plan. Often the plan determines the maximum height of the building or its maximum volume.
To select a suitable expert for documentary support of the construction of a house, we recommend using the search for companies in the Building Companion catalog. The profile of each contractor contains the necessary information, portfolio, reviews, you can place a request for an estimate of the cost of the service.
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The next stage of the expansion is to check its technical condition. This is especially important for old buildings. The analysis will allow us to assess whether the expansion will be safe or whether other work will have to be done before we proceed with the expansion to adapt the building to our needs.
As in the case of building any structure, in order to expand a private house, it is important to create a quality project that will take into account all needs. It is important that it is prepared in accordance with current building regulations. This will optimize the cost of expanding the building, which can be significant depending on the amount of work, as well as the materials to be used.
Addition to a private house: construction costs
Adding a one-story house, as well as an attic or two-story building, is a major investment that should be carefully considered. As a rule, expanding the building to the side is more expensive. Some construction companies that have their own websites provide clients with a “construction calculator” application that allows you to estimate the initial investment costs.
Such applications do not take into account the cost of materials and labor. They can vary significantly based on the region of the country in which the expandable building is located. The cost of the expansion will also be affected by the price of the project and the preparation of the facility for further work. It is also important to take into account the additional costs if a technical examination of the building or land is not carried out.
This information is not an official recommendation and is taken from open sources. The material of the article is not a guide to the legal rules for registration of land, property, erection and decoration of walls or construction. The manufacturer is not responsible for legal advice, as well as for defects in the structure or its elements that arose during or after the completion of construction work based on this information. To carry out such work, use the services of certified specialists in the field of law and construction.
The article used photos from the site
http://s-stroit.ru .
Animal Crossing: New Horizons home upgrade guide
How much do you need to spend to get which upgrades
Image: Nintendo EPD / Nintendo via Polygon
Houses in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch are no different from previous games: you get a house and go into debt to upgrade it.
While you don’t have to rush to pay off your mortgage, it allows you to expand your home and create more space to fill it with furniture. In this guide, we will teach you all about it.
Contents
Upgrading Your Home
Moving to an Island
Animal Crossing: New Horizon Home Improvements
- Upgrade from Tent to Home 9007
- House upgrade
- Rear room addition
- Adding a left room
- Right room addition
- Second floor extension
- Cellar extension
- Free Exterior Repair
How to improve your home
Tom Nook will accept Nook Miles as payment for your first loan (which covers your trip to the island and includes your tent). You will then switch to Bells for all subsequent mortgages and payments you make through ABD Nook Stop .
House improvement is not automatic. Before you can enlarge your house, you must talk to Tom Nook and get a loan. After paying off the loan, you will be able to build the next house improvement (by taking a new loan).
Upgrading your home to the maximum will require a lot of time and millions of bells. The total amount to upgrade your home from start to finish in New Horizons is a whopping 5.696 million bells.
Transfer to the island
Upon arrival on the island, Tom Nook will provide you with a tent and charge you 5,000 Nook Miles for the pleasure of living there (while in the tent). You will have to pay for this before moving on to the next updates.
Tent to House Upgrade
Once you’ve paid the 5000 Nook Mile to move to the island, talk to Tom Nook again and he’ll offer you to turn your tent into a house the next day.
This upgrade gives you a six-by-six lattice house with one room. It also unlocks 80 storage slots for your items and also allows you to decorate your home from a bird’s eye view. You can access the vault by pressing the right button on the D-pad, and you can access the advanced decorating system by pressing the D-pad.
The cost of this upgrade is 98,000 bells and you will not be able to make any additional house improvements until you repay this loan.
House Upgrade
This will upgrade the main room of your house to an eight by eight grid. It also unlocks 40 more storage slots in your home, for a total of 120.
This upgrade costs 198,000 Bells and you can’t make additional additions until you repay the loan.
Back Room Addition
Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon
This adds a six-by-six grid to the back of your home, as well as an additional 120 additional storage slots, for a total of 240.
This upgrade costs 348000 Bells , and like previous upgrades, you won’t be able to add more rooms until you pay for it.
Adding a left room
This will add a six by six room on the left side of your house. This adds 120 storage slots, bringing the total to 360.
When you get your left room, you can also start setting up mailboxes and roof color of your house. To do this, simply talk to Tom Nook about your house and select “I want to customize”. The repair costs 5000 bells and all changes will take place one day after you place an order. Tom Nook cannot repair housing while your home is in the process of being upgraded.
After getting the left room, you can also take your mailbox and move it. Just walk up to it and press Y, just like with other furniture.
This supplement costs 548000 bells , and although you will be able to set up your mailbox and roof, you will not be able to add more rooms until you pay this bill.
Right Room Addition
This will add a six by six room on the right side of your house. This adds 40 extra storage slots to your home, giving you 400 spaces.
Adding the right room also allows you to personalize your doors.
This extension costs 758000 bells and although you can customize your house before you pay it off, you will need to pay off this loan before adding a second floor.
Second Floor Addition
Image: Nintendo EPD / Nintendo via Polygon
This adds a wide second floor room to your home with a ten by six grid. This adds 400 storage slots for a total of 800.
Adding a second floor will also allow you to set up siding for your home.
Image: Nintendo EPD / Nintendo via Polygon
This upgrade costs 1,,248,000 Bells and you will need to pay for it before you can add a basement to your home.
Basement Extension
According to ProsafiaGaming’s video, this adds a basement which, like the second floor, is a ten by six grid. This update also adds 800 more storage slots for a total of 1600 slots.
This is the last payment that requires payment of 2,498,000 bells .
Free Exterior Repairs
Once you pay off your last mortgage, you can make changes to your home’s exterior for free once a day. While paying out over 3 million bells may not be worth it for some, it will be necessary for finishers.
How to legally build two houses on one plot: answers from a lawyer
Together with lawyers, we figure out whether it is possible to build two houses on one plot and how to do it
Photo: B-D-S Piotr Marcinsk/shutterstock
No direct ban
Russian law does not explicitly prohibit the construction of more than one house on a plot for individual housing construction (IZhS), a garden plot or a plot of personal subsidiary plots (PSP), lawyers interviewed say RBC Real Estate.
“But each city, village or district has its own rules for land use and development (PZZ), which determine the maximum and minimum parameters of the land plot, the maximum percentage of its development, and the standards for indentation from the boundaries of the site. And here there may already be restrictions, ”explains lawyer Volodymyr Postanyuk. Therefore, much depends on the specific locality, he adds.
www.adv.rbc.ru
Information on the possibility of such construction and the LPP should be clarified with the local administration, since within the same region there are different minimum parameters of the site and the maximum percentage of development. For example, according to the PZZ in the Leninsky urban district of the Moscow region, the minimum size of a land plot is 400 square meters. m, in the city district Serebryanye Prudy of the Moscow Region – 500 sq. m, and in the urban settlement Rodniki of the Ramensky municipal district of the Moscow region – 600 sq. m, gave examples of the legal adviser of the suburban real estate department of the real estate company “Inkom-Nedvizhimost” Gulnara Saburova. “In all these districts, the maximum percentage of development is 40%, and the minimum indent from the boundaries of the site is 3 m,” she noted.
And, for example, in the PZZ of the Volokolamsk city district of the Moscow region, it is stipulated that the land plot for individual housing construction is intended for the construction of one residential building and individual garages and ancillary structures. “Before making a decision on construction, the owner of the site must definitely familiarize himself with the PZZ. It is also very important to calculate the percentage of existing development, since its excess is one of the grounds for refusing construction,” explained Gulnara Saburova.
From PZZ it will be seen:
- is it possible to build a second house;
- in what place of the land plot and with what parameters construction is possible.
It is important that the construction of houses complies with all the requirements of town planning regulations. This applies to the area of the house, the minimum indentation from the boundaries of the site, the height of the building, they added in the Cadastral Chamber. So, according to Art. 1 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the IZHS facility should have no more than three above-ground floors, and its height should not exceed 20 m. “If the requirements are not met, such a building may be in the unauthorized category,” the department explained.
Before making a decision on the planned construction of a second house, the owner needs to familiarize himself with the LPP. It is very important to calculate the percentage of existing development
(Photo: gopixa/shutterstock)
How to build two houses
If the law allows you to build two houses, then you need to fulfill the requirements during the construction itself. “It is necessary to comply with building density standards, check that the dimensions of the land plot allow the construction of two houses without violating the rules on the permissible distance between them (from 6 m, depending on building materials) and from houses to the boundaries of the land plot (at least 3 m)” – said the lawyer Volodymyr Postanyuk.
Before starting construction, you need to send a notice of the start of work to the organization that deals with these issues in a particular locality. As a rule, this is the town planning committee. The notification is submitted through the MFC, the public services portal or by mail. It should contain information about the developer and the land plot, the characteristics of the house and its schematic representation on the site.
For each house, a separate notice is sent indicating that it is planned to build another property on the same land plot, Vladimir Postanyuk noted. “If a land plot has two owners and each intends to build a house, they should conclude in writing an agreement on the procedure for using the land plot, where there will be an agreement on the construction of each of their own residential building. If it is not possible to agree, then the court will determine the procedure for use,” he added.
Upon completion of construction, a notice of completion will be required. “If the construction is completed and as a result another residential building has appeared, it must be assigned an address even before registration of the right. The object will have the same number as the main building, only with a letter or fraction, ”said the legal adviser from Inkom.
If the law allows the construction of two houses, then a number of requirements must be met during the construction itself
(Photo: Radovan1/shutterstock)
Realtor’s comment
Tatyana Maksimova , head of the suburban real estate department of the real estate company Inkom-Nedvizhimost:
— Construction of two houses on one plot is not such a rarity. As a rule, they build a small house, move into it, and later build the main one. In the future, a small house is used as a guest or housing for staff. Similar objects are in demand in different segments:
- in economy class, this allows you to separate the generations of one family – no one interferes with each other and everyone is nearby;
- in the business class, there is also an element of generational separation. In addition, in the second house there may be premises for housekeepers, a bathhouse, etc.;
- in the elite segment, the second house can accommodate a spa complex, rooms for assistants, guest rooms.
Difficulties with sale and registration
Difficulties in the construction of two houses on the same site may arise during the design of such objects, especially if urban planning standards have been violated. “Although the law does not directly prohibit the registration of two residential buildings on the same plot, Rosreestr will not register the ownership of a second residential building within the same plot of land,” said lawyer, real estate expert Daria Korovina. Such an object can be recognized as unauthorized construction and demolished – the owner will demolish it at his own expense.
Difficulties may also arise during the sale, even if the objects are legalized, lawyer Volodymyr Postanyuk added. There are usually few people who want to buy two houses at once. You will have to either separate the plots, or sell the houses separately. For example, assign a new address to the second house or deal with the registration of rights to a land plot. “When buying one house out of two, the buyer will not be able to count on the entire land plot, but only on 1/2 of the share in the ownership of it. In the future, the buyer may have to go to court to establish the procedure for using the land. Not everyone will agree to such conditions, and again there will be a need to divide the land according to all the rules, ”the lawyer warned.
Difficulties in the construction of two houses on the same site may arise during the design of such objects, especially if urban planning standards have been violated
(Photo: Reinhardt and Co/shutterstock)
Legal example, lawyer Vladimir Postanyuk:
— A man built several houses on his land for each of his children. No one divided the plot, the yard and the entrance to it were common. After death, the heirs divided among themselves the houses and shares in the ownership of the land. But as often happens, the heirs quarreled while dividing the inheritance, and decided to fence off their plots. As a result, one of the houses turned out to be blocked, that is, it had no access to common lands. The right of passage through the sister’s plot (servitude) to our trustee had to be established through the court. Therefore, even if you do not plan to sell houses today, it is better to think about it in advance.
Alternative ways
There are alternative ways that allow you to build two houses on the same plot. One of the options is to divide the plot into two independent ones and put them on the cadastral register, and then build a second house. But dividing a plot is a rather laborious procedure: it requires land surveying, removal of the old plot from the cadastral register and setting up two new ones, Anastasia Shevereva, leading lawyer at the Yurlov and Partners law firm, warned. During the division itself, it is necessary to determine the location of each of the land plots, to provide an exit from the plot to the common lands. All these procedures will need to be carried out before construction begins.
It is also important that the requirements of the PPP regarding the minimum allowable size of the plot are observed. This information must be verified with the local administration. “If you have a plot of 13 acres, then you divide it into two plots of 6.5 acres each and build a residential building on each. If you have a plot of only 10 acres, and the minimum allowable for your area is 6 acres, then you will not be able to divide it into two, ”explained lawyer Daria Korovina.
If the regulations do not allow the division of the land or the construction of two houses on it, it is possible to build one block of flats. In the common people, such a house is called “for two owners,” added lawyer Vladimir Postanyuk. It consists of several blocks that have a common wall without openings and their own exit to the common area (yard). Another possible option is to build a non-residential building, such as a summer house. Such a building will not have its own address and it will not be possible to sell it as an independent object, but it will be easier to register it as an outbuilding.
The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation explained how to properly legalize an extension to the house – Lawyer in Samara and Moscow
A very useful explanation for many citizens was made by the Judicial Collegium for Civil Cases of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, when it studied the dispute between the owner of the dacha and municipal officials who did not agree to legalize extensions to the house, which were erected by the hostess.
Today it is almost impossible to find a private house or cottage, the owners of which would not eventually decide to enlarge their house. The scale of construction depends both on the owner’s wallet and on the flight of his imagination. Therefore, in the summer months, shops and building materials markets are overflowing with those who have started building and those who continue this exciting process. After all, it is almost impossible to complete the expansion of your possessions.
Owners of houses, in order to increase their real estate, attach attics, verandas and all kinds of other buildings to housing.
But only after the construction is completed, the owners of these objects may experience difficulties in recognizing the ownership of them. How to properly legalize such buildings, and when it will definitely fail, the Supreme Court explained in the case of the Bryansk owner of a country house.
Her story began with the fact that our heroine expanded her private house, first adding a shed to it, and later a veranda.
After the construction was completed, the citizen decided to legalize these buildings in court. In her lawsuit, it was said that her new objects are on her own site. Justifying her demands, the citizen explained that the erected real estate does not violate anyone’s rights and does not pose a threat to the life and health of citizens.
What was her surprise when, first, the first instance, and later the appeal was denied to the woman. The local courts referred to the fact that the extensions to the residential building are partially located on the land of a natural monument of regional significance. Accordingly, the erected structures “violate the rights of an indefinite circle of persons to a favorable environment.” So the first instance recorded in its decision and the appeal agreed with such a verdict.
But the owner of the veranda and the shed decided not to give up and went to challenge the decisions of the Bryansk courts further and higher – to the Supreme Court.
What was the surprise of the owner of the house and land when, first, the first instance, and later the appeal refused to legalize her extensions
There, the materials of the civil dispute were carefully studied and declared that their regional colleagues made the right decision. The Supreme Court emphasized that the territories where our heroine built a barn and a veranda have been a special regime zone for more than 20 years. On this land, new housing construction and completion “with the gradual vyhoschivanie housing and resettlement of residents in environmentally friendly areas” are prohibited. This is stated in the decision of the administration of the Bryansk region (dated April 25, 1994 years No. 31). Due to the presence of a special zone, the Supreme Court said, the plaintiff will not be able to legitimize the objects. The Supreme Court recognized the acts of lower instances as legal.
Lawyers who specialize in such civil disputes have some advice for owners who may be facing a similar problem. So what is the right way to do it?
The first and most important thing is that the site of a citizen, on which he decided to start construction, must be his own. Then you need to get a building permit and a town-planning plan, which will reflect all the restrictions on development. But this is the longest way. There is a simpler option – it was possible to build a barn and a veranda as outbuildings that are not real estate.
Of course, you can do what our heroine did – legalize objects through the courts. But it must be borne in mind that in most cases the courts do not satisfy claims for recognition of the right of ownership of an unauthorized building, if the developer did not take measures aimed at legalizing the object before the start of construction. That is, he turned to officials, but they refused or did not answer him.
According to the Town Planning Code, extensions to residential buildings may not be classified as capital construction projects. When building such extensions, such as a shed or garage, a building permit is not required. True, after the completion of work, one must not forget to make changes to the technical documentation.
There is another difficult moment when a permit for construction or reconstruction is refused due to the presence of water protection and “other sanitary protection zones”. The latter often refers to land near airports.
Courts usually refuse if the owner did not try to resolve the issue with officials before the start of construction. Compliance of construction parameters with the requirements of urban planning regulations. And the absence of violation of the rights and legitimate interests of others. As well as the safety of the erected object.
But we must remember that the court will almost certainly ask for evidence of the land owner’s attempts to obtain the necessary permits before starting construction work.
The material of the article is taken from open sources
Relevance date of the material: 08/01/2022
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House with perspective | Building the house of your dreams! How to build your house, landscaping
Do not be sad that there are no funds for a luxurious mansion. You can start building your home with a comfortable and cozy small house, and put your dreams into a project in order to realize them in the future. The rationality of building an overly compact house with an area of \u200b\u200bonly 40-50 m2 may be in doubt. It is not customary to erect such small buildings for housing (except for cottages with a simplified layout, not equipped for comfortable winter living). Nevertheless, it can be quite comfortable in a house with an area of 50 m, since the secret of comfort is not only in the number of square meters per person, but also in the rational organization of the internal space, high-quality technical equipment, as well as the active use of the surrounding area.
The advantages of a small house include the following: it can be built quickly and without borrowing money, it is easier to “build up” vertically or horizontally as needed and possible. However, given these conditions and plans, the successful design of a mini-building turns out to be no easier, and even more difficult, than a large one. The area of personal living space is an important factor in the physical and psychological comfort of a person. The minimum size of a comfortable home for a small family (two adults with or without a child) cannot be strictly defined, but for hygienic reasons, at least 20 m of the total area should be per person. It is also important to have at least two living rooms isolated from each other in order to provide privacy if necessary. A house with an area of 40-50 m (as a small two-room apartment) will create sufficient comfort, provided that it is divided into day (25-30 m) and night (15-20 m) zones. According to the layout, the building can have up to three rooms and be one-story or attic.
A very compact house suitable for housing for a young family, temporary shelter in the lap of nature for the elderly or city dwellers who also have an apartment. However, it will become uncomfortable with the growing up of the child or the increase in the family. Therefore, when deciding on such a construction, it is advisable to immediately take into account future needs. It is also worth considering the source of funds for expanding housing in the future: savings, income from a successful business, selling an apartment, receiving an inheritance, etc. Scenarios for increasing living space – what the house will be like after completion, what it will cost and where to get finance – it is advisable to determine in advance. This approach will partially determine the design and planning features of a small house and facilitate further work. And perhaps the analysis will show that it is more profitable to immediately build a bigger house.
To make a home beautiful and comfortable, you must first design it in its entirety, and then break the project into stages of construction. The result of each stage should be a finished view of the building, so that if the completion for some reason does not take place or is postponed, the house looks attractive and is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. Such a project can only be carried out by a specialist.
Typical scenarios
1. ATTIC DEVICE. In a one-story house, an attic is initially arranged, which is then turned into an attic. This is the simplest and least expensive “development” option, allowing you to increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe house up to 90%.
What to foresee. A gable roof is the most beneficial for expanding a house. The exploitable attic area will be larger with a steep slope, as well as with a broken, so-called mansard roof shape. The pitch of the rafters (60-70 cm) should allow in the future to lay insulation boards between them. In the attic floor, it is necessary to provide an opening for the stairs, and on the ground floor – a place for its placement (at least 3 m). On the ceiling from the side of the attic, you need to lay a hard insulation, which will later serve as soundproofing.
2. COMPLETION OF THE SECOND FLOOR. The option is justified if there is no room on the site for horizontal expansion of the house. It is technologically complex, as it will require disassembly of the roof, rapid erection of walls and re-assembly of the roof. In this case, it will be possible to increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe house by at least 100%.
What to foresee. The rafter system and the roof of a small house must be suitable for disassembly and reuse (metal, natural or polymer-sand tiles are suitable for roofing, and bituminous tiles are excluded). The bearing capacity of the foundation and walls should be calculated taking into account the load from the second floor. The walls of the superstructure can be built from a lighter or the same material as the walls of the first floor.
3. ANNEX. FURNITURE. The original house and new volumes can be one-two-story, independent in form from each other. Attached premises are classified both as living rooms and as a garage or workshop. Thus, you can increase the area of \u200b\u200bthe house up to 100% or more.
What to foresee. The shape of the roof of a small house should allow docking with the roof of a new volume. Convenient gable structures that are easy to connect along the gable line or by continuing the slope over a one-story extension. A small house with a shed roof is possible, to which you can later add a slope above the extension (this is convenient when it is located on the long side of the small house). Since one or two external walls of a small house will later become internal, it is advisable to make them thin, using insulation, which will then be removed and reused (this is what the “ventilated facade” system allows). To connect parts of the house with each other without destroying the walls, doors can be made in place of windows or terrace doors, however, enough windows are also located on the wall of the house that is not subject to construction. In blind walls to be built, lintels should be laid in advance. To reduce the risk that the foundation of a small house is deformed from the pressure of the new volume on the ground, it is better to lay the base of the extension in advance. The expediency of such a step will be prompted only by a specialist, since the decision depends on the materials used, the size of the original and future buildings, the nature of the soil on the site, etc. In a reserved area, you can, for example, temporarily make a terrace.
4. CONSTRUCTION OF A MANSARD OR COMPLETION OF THE SECOND FLOOR TOGETHER WITH THE ANNEX. This option is easy to implement in several stages, it does not require a lot of space for an extension. At the first stage, the development of the attic or the completion of the floor will increase the area by 100%. At the second stage, a small 1-2-storey extension will be sufficient with the addition of another 50% of the area. There is an opportunity to create comfort for both young and old people. For example, day rooms are left in the volume of a small house, night rooms in the attic, rooms for parents, guest rooms, an office, etc. in the annex. What to foresee. The above measures are necessary, which are taken into account both with vertical and horizontal expansion of the house.
Selecting the number of floors
When designing a small house, you should first determine its number of floors. A one-story building is much preferable because it will allow more efficient use of space. All rooms will be equally accessible during the day and at night, and there will be no need to spend time cruising from level to level. One bathroom is enough, the connection of all rooms with the site will become closer, and this, in turn, will allow turning it into a more functional area in the warm season and “unloading” the house. A terrace, a veranda, a landscaped courtyard will help to expand the living space.
The approximate dimensions of the house can be 6×8, 6×9, 7×7, 5×10 m, etc. (the built-up area will be 10% larger than the total area of the house due to the thickness of the walls). At the same time, there remains a significant reserve for increasing the building – the ability to complete the attic or second floor, as well as an extension. When developing the attic, the area will be 80-100 m, another 20-50 m will be added due to the extension. In the case of an attic or two-story small house, the premises on the second floor will be used less intensively than on the first, functionally more loaded. Therefore, the upper floor can be made purely private. For example, you can place an office there, in which the owner will not be disturbed (and at night it will become a bedroom). In a two-story small house, you should not make two bathrooms, but it is desirable to have a bathroom on each floor.
The minimum width of such a house, which allows creating a comfortable interior space, is about 4. 5 m. . However, in order to increase a small two-story house to 80-100 m, for a two-story extension, it will be necessary to allocate the same site on the site as the already built-up one, and even more.
Organization of space
The basis of comfort and coziness in the house is a successful zoning. Planning solutions for a small building have their own characteristics. Here, the functional load on each room increases, since all rooms (very modest in size) are operated with high intensity. You should not be wasteful of space – it is important to correctly combine zones for different purposes, as well as get rid of corridors and halls. For example, during the day the room is an office, at night it is a bedroom, the living room is used both as a recreation area and as a dining room combined with a kitchen, etc. A house with an area of up to 50 m2 accommodates a standard composition of premises: entrance hall (4-5 m2), living room (16-18 m2), kitchen (6-8 m2), bedrooms (10-15 m2), bathroom (3-4 m2) . When combining the living room and kitchen, they get a room with an area of about 25 m.
After expansion, one or two more bedrooms (12-30 m2), an office (12-20 m2), a second bathroom (3-5 m2) can be added to this suite. Redevelopment of the original premises will help to raise the level of comfort, for example, increasing the area of \u200b\u200bthe living room and kitchen by moving the bedrooms to the upper floor or to the annex, allocating a separate dining room, enlarging the hallway, and installing a dressing room. For such future “manoeuvres”, partitions in a small house are best done in frame structures that are easy to dismantle. An important component of a compact building is a terrace, on which many life processes are transferred in the warm season. It is used as a summer living room – for eating, relaxing, meeting with friends. Sufficient area – about 10-15 m.
Planning techniques
When organizing the interior, it is useful to use a number of techniques:
– The premises of the house should be well lit with natural light, visually “opened” to the site (for example, through glazed terrace doors or large windows). This will create a feeling of spaciousness.
– It is advisable to get rid of extra doors and partitions between rooms. This will allow you to see most of the house at the same time, and also save space. For bathrooms and pantries, sliding or folding doors are convenient, requiring no space in the opening radius.
– To get two small bedrooms instead of one, you can make a partition of wardrobes that combines the functions of storage and separation. In this case, two windows should be provided in the room.
– From the living room you can not enter the bedroom, bathroom or bathroom.
– It is better to access the terrace from the living room or kitchen.
– Under the stairs to the second floor, you can equip a pantry, install a built-in wardrobe.
– If a second bathroom is planned in a house with the prospect of completing the floor, then it should be designed strictly above the bathroom on the first floor. This will help reduce the length of the pipelines and avoid problems when laying them in the finished interior.
– If possible, for example in an attic with a steep roof slope, use a mezzanine.
Engineering solutions
In a house with the prospect of completion, future loads on the networks must be foreseen (so that they do not have to be re-permitted in the future) and a general input of engineering networks of full capacity must be provided. You should also design convenient outlets for all communications to the new part of the building. If it is planned to install a separate engineering unit there, then in a small house it is necessary to provide the shortest connection with it – pipelines and cables should be brought as close as possible to the border with the future extension. However, when installing equipment, it is worth focusing on current needs. It is possible that in the process of increasing the building, it will be more profitable to replace the heating and pumping equipment. If, however, systems designed for more serious operating areas are immediately installed in the main house, then as a result of constant work at low capacities, engineering networks and devices will quickly fail.
In accordance with the recommendations of experts, for heating a dwelling with an area of 50 m, a boiler with a capacity of 5 kW is required, taking into account water heating – 10 kW. However, it should be borne in mind that all rooms of the mini-building are corner, so a slightly higher power of the equipment may be required (depending on the quality of the wall insulation). When choosing between energy sources, you should pay attention to electrical systems that are functional, compact, environmentally friendly, easily regulated and can be hidden in the structure – they are most beneficial for small houses.
Life on the lot
Landscaping is especially important if the dwelling has a small area and the terrace is small or absent. For 4-7 months (depending on the region), the adjacent territory can partially take over the functions of the internal space if various zones are equipped on it. For the full use of some of them, a gazebo canopy is important, not necessarily stationary (a light metal structure purchased in a store is suitable), comfortable lighting, etc. The sites should be paved or a lawn resistant to trampling, protected from wind and draft, laid paths from home to them. In addition, you will need a closed room for storing garden tools and furniture (there is not enough space in the house for this).
Within the landscape you can organize:
– Canteen. A flat area with a canopy is needed, located near the house, with direct access from the kitchen (it is unacceptable that you have to go around the building when serving food). Required lighting. Minimum area – 6 m
– Zone of calm rest and sleep. It can be equipped with a bed, a table, an armchair, a hammock. Canopy and wind protection required. It will be possible to sleep in the fresh air, sit with a book, laptop, etc. The minimum area is 6 m.
– A place for receiving guests. It is difficult to accommodate many guests in a small house; restrictions are removed on the site. The site allocated for such purposes should be equipped with a barbecue oven or barbecue, it is desirable to conduct electricity and water to it. You can place this zone remotely from the house and combine it with a gazebo, etc. This area should be spacious.
– Playground or playground. Suitable lawn, sand or rubber coating. The size of the territory depends on its content.
How much does it cost to add a second floor to a ranch?
How much does it cost to add a second floor to a ranch?
Can you add a second floor to the ranch? That’s right – adding a second floor to a ranch can help meet your lifestyle needs or desires. Along with expected costs, consider contingencies such as the decision to change the original floor plan, replacing standard materials with more expensive upgrades, and dealing with unforeseen construction issues.
How much does it cost to turn a ranch into a two-story house? A partial second floor can cost $90,000 to $120,000 for 500 to 700 square feet. This is enough to comfortably accommodate one or two rooms. However, this is big money!
Should I add a second story? Benefits. There are many reasons to consider adding a second floor to your home. Aside from the benefit of having extra space, extending your home vertically is a better use of space than extending outward into your yard, especially if your yard is small.
Can my foundation support the second floor?
To comply with building codes, the second floors require structural support, which includes adding plywood and steel joints to the main level walls and continuing down to the foundation and/or installing additional bases or columns.
How much does the 20×20 add-on cost?
Most homeowners spend between $42,000 and $88,000 to add a 20×20 room with an average cost of $65,000. Building a 20×20 room extension can give you the extra space you need in your home, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying a new home. Most homeowners spend between $42,000 and $88,000 to add a room this size.
How do I know if a second story can be added?
In my opinion, the first thing you should do is visit your local local government. They should be able to tell you if you are allowed to add a second story. Ask them about the overall height of the structure. Many building codes and zoning codes allow the top of a structure to be several feet above ground level.
How much does it cost to add a second floor to a one-story house?
A second floor extension may cost less than a first floor extension, but it’s still a big expense. Estimates vary, but renovators who have gone through the process estimate the cost of adding a second floor at $1,850-$3,300 per square meter.
Is it cheaper to build or start new construction?
Construction will cost much less than construction. On average, expanding your home’s area outside of your home costs between $140 and $180. When you build a second or third floor in your home, you can expect costs to range from $180 to $250 per square foot.
How can I expand my house cheaply?
DIY projects can save you a lot of money when you build your home extension. Some of the best DIY home extension projects include painting, tiling, laying floors, adding a window seat or installing a closet and finishing work.
Is it possible to build a two-level house?
It is difficult to add height to duplex and duplex houses. Height additions should be planned by a professional. Simply adding another floor to an existing living space destroys the smoothness of the roofline and makes the home uneven and unattractive from the street.
Is it possible to build a second floor in the garage?
If you have a separate garage, you might consider adding a second floor to it. A room above the garage provides privacy and is generally a more cost-effective solution to increase square footage than adding a room at ground level.
What is cheaper to add a basement or a second floor?
Generally speaking, construction is generally cheaper than a basement. However, not so long ago lumber was at an all-time high and basements were the best option. Check with your builder and they can advise you on the pros, cons, and cost of each.
How long does it take to add a second story?
But for a complete second floor extension, the typical range is six to 12 months. Partial addition may be completed in three to five months.
How long does it take to add a second story?
How long does it take to add a second floor? A typical second floor, which includes at least a bedroom and bathroom, takes at least three to five months, according to Tami, Sweeten’s contractor in Los Angeles.
How to strengthen the foundation for the second addition to the story?
If the foundation of your house is unable to support the second floor in its current state, and you are determined to the second floor, you may want to consider a foundation. The foundation requires digging along the foundation of the house, replacing the block in small sections at a time.
Is it possible to put the second floor on 2×4 walls?
Existing 2 x 4 walls do not exclude a second floor, but should be carefully inspected (visually and structurally) to ensure they will accept the additional load. Your home’s foundation system may or may not accept an extra floor.
How much does the 12×24 supplement cost?
So, how much will it cost to add a room? According to HomeAdvisor, homeowners spent an average of $11,520 to $28,000 on a 12 x 12-room addition and $32,000 to $80,000 on a 20 x 20-room addition.
Do I need an architect for the extension?
It is common for homeowners to hire an architect before hiring a contractor. While this can be nice, in most cases it is not necessary to hire the architect who designed the plans to oversee the addition or renovation. So, if you have a limited budget, it makes sense to deal with the contractor yourself.
How expensive is it to add a second floor?
But how much does the second floor cost? A second floor addition will typically cost between $1,800 and $15,000 per square meter depending on the “degree of sophistication” of the work required, according to three builders who specialize in second floor additions and additions.
How much does it cost to add 2 floors?
A two-story extension is one of the most expensive home improvement projects you can undertake. Costs start at around $100 per square foot for a simple, no-frills extra room and can go up to $500 per square foot, depending on the complexity and planned finishes and amenities.
How much does it cost to add another floor to the house?
Building a second floor typically costs $100 to $300 per square foot. It can cost up to $500 per square foot depending on the quality of the materials and the complexity of the project. A second floor addition often involves adding an entire floor to your home rather than just an extra room.
Can I expand my house up?
If your existing home has two or more floors (excluding basements and attics), you can expand your home upwards and add two floors in accordance with the new building rights permit. If the building is currently single storey, you may only add one more storey under the new permitted building rights.