The costs associated with moving house are continuing to increase: stamp duty and estate agent fees for a £300,000 house are around £15,000. For many people an extension or conversion could be a better financial and lifestyle choice – you might be able to increase your living space more cost-effectively by improving, instead of moving house. These are my top tips for making the most of your space.
- A well planned extension nearly always adds value, but look at house prices in your local area to gauge how much value another bedroom will add to your property – be careful not to over develop
- Conservatories are a great way to add space as they often don’t require planning permission – although always check with your local authority or planning dept. They can be a quick and cheap way to increase your living space
- Look at the other properties on your street, this will give you an idea of the type of projects that are likely to get planning permission as precedents may have been set by your neighbours developments
- Before planning an extension you should always look at the space you already have and consider how you are currently using it. Often simply changing the floor plan by removing or moving walls can change how you live
- Side extensions may not add much floor space, but they are one of the cheaper options – a small side extension can cost as little as £25,000 – but it can make a huge difference to how you use your living space
- Building an extension at the expense of your garden can actually reduce the value of your house; outside space is always desirable for future buyers – it’s important to get the balance right
Whether you’re looking to improve, or move, if you’re looking for a tradesman to help make the space in your home work for you, post your home improvement job on RatedPeople.com. They will put you in touch with up to 3 quality tradesmen in your local area, who will each provide you a quote for the job – remember to read the tradesmen’s ratings from previous customers to help you decide who to hire. For more advice from me, check out my other blog posts.
