James Max

The dos and don’ts of building an extension

  • From Spectator Life

House prices are increasing at their fastest rate for seven years, jumping by as much as 10.9 per cent according to the Nationwide in their most recent survey. Is now the time to stay put and extend rather than go through the hassle of moving into a supply constrained rising market? And if you do extend, is it guaranteed that you’ll add value? Adding an annex or a loft extension, according to Shawbrook Bank, a home improvement loan provider, indicates that you’ll add 5 per cent to the value of a home and separate research by Nationwide suggests that 20 per cent of the value can be added if you build in a double bedroom and en-suite bathroom.

However, if you really want to make sure you’re adding value, a national statistic doesn’t mean very much when it comes to specific properties. You’d be wise to consider that some elements of an extension will add more value than others. And in some cases, you could destroy value.

Here are my top seven tips to help you make the most of any works you undertake:

Why are you doing these works in the first place?

    There are generally two right answers to this question. The first is to create more space and the second is to create better space. It’s amazing how many home extensions have been bolted on to a home simply to add more space without much thought as to why. If your extension doesn’t achieve these two aims, you’re unlikely to increase your property’s value.

    Where is the space going to be added?

      It may be more expensive to add a basement than a loft extension. However, upstairs is likely to add more value than down. Unless your subterranean space has access to natural light (through a lightwell, glass ceiling or dug out garden space) this ship has sailed.

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