- Will the house extension add any value to the property? As a homeowner its always advisable to see if adding the extension adds the same or higher value than the actual cost of the extension.
- Choose a right designer/architect to design your home.
- Will you be living on site during the build phase with the disruption, dust, etc or you plan to move out in a temporary accommodation?
- Building regulations – These are minimum standards set by the government to design and construct a property. Your house extension will need to comply to it. You need notify a local authority building control or Approved Inspector before starting any build on site.
- If the extension is build on or near a sewer – you will need a Build Over Agreement from the water authority in charge of your area
- Comply with Party Wall Act if the works involve digging for foundations within 3 meters of the neighbours boundary.
- Make sure the builders have required insurances in place and you have informed your insurance company regarding the house extension before starting the build
- Will the existing boiler and fusebox need replacing as the existing boiler output might not be enough to heat up the new radiators or the new fusebox will need updating based on latest regulations.
- Make sure you have factored in the VAT for the build and if there is any VAT relief you can claim.
- Allow a contingency of around 15-20%
