How many times have you been to a newly renovated house and you’ve admired the beautiful extension? The flooring was perfect, the choice of materials were classy and functional, and even the colour scheme was on point. I bet if you asked the homeowner who designed and built the extension, they’d tell you that it was a building and design professional!

There is no surprise there, because if you want a home extension done right, you need an expert to help you out. There is just too much at stake for you to try the DIY route.

Why a DIY Home Extension is Not the Best Idea

There is a quote that goes like this: If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do a job, wait until you hire an amateur. It pays to have an expert to work on your home extension project.

Here are some reasons that a DIY approach is best left to personal projects:

• You can end up wasting time on DIY. Since you will be new to renovating, chances are you could make a mistake on the quantity or type of materials you will need or you might buy more than what you need or get the wrong thing altogether. Additionally, you may have to attempt certain jobs more than once, which is a huge time waster!
• There will be a lot of leg work for you. Your home extension project needs to be legal, so you’ll need to organise relevant permits. To obtain permits, you’ll need to have someone draw up the plans, and you’ll need to ensure you’re covered by insurance as well. These are just a few things that an expert will manage for you that can amount to a lot of work for you if you DIY.
• You may cause structural damage to your house. Especially if you have an older house, you may cause unintentional damage instead of simply beautifying or improving it with an extension. This is where a professional builder and designer’s eye and experience is very much needed.
• You can get injured. If you are an amateur builder, you may not be aware of current work safety guidelines. These don’t just apply to operating power tools, they apply across any task undertaken on a building site, like tearing down walls or any demolition work. Avoid injuring yourself by hiring a professional.

Conclusion

It is understandable that there is a sense of accomplishment if you work on your own small project. However, you really need to consider the risks of trying a major DIY. Engaging a professional builder or contractor from the outset is always the safest way of approaching an extension project. You may also want to go through our home extension beginner’s guide here to be better informed.

Do you have a home extension project in mind? Let us know about it so we can properly advice you. Feel free to contact us today.

After much consideration, you have finally decided to go ahead with a house extension. However, you are aware that this is not a small feat, especially if you are planning for a big portion of your house to be renovated at the same time.

This is why it is important to have a proper budget to begin with, if you want a beautifully done home extension.

Why Do You Need to Budget?

No matter how big your extension project, you will be spending money on it. You will want to ensure that every dollar is wisely spent, right? That is where a well thought out budget will help reel you back in to reality in case your mind starts to wander to grand extension expectations that are actually well beyond your wallet’s reach.

The first thing you need to do is to set a goal, so you’re clear on what you actually want with your home extension project. Which part of the house should the builder focus on? Why are you having your house extended in the first place? How much can you actually afford? Once you’ve answered these questions then you are ready to proceed with the budgeting itself.

Essentials to Include in Your Extension Budget

Budgeting for your house extension is one of the first steps you must take. Arguably, this is no easy task especially if you have no background in home renovation. The best approach is to consult with a professional design and build provider.

Consulting with a builder will give you an expert’s perspective on the project, and they can help you develop your ideas into a home that you’ll love. An expert can also provide a detailed proposal or quote so you will have a clearer idea about how much you will be spending.

But to help you get started, here are the essentials you need to include when you are planning your home extension project.

• Think in terms of per square metre. If you want a quick way of budgeting it, measuring the area that the extension will cover will get you fairly close pricing estimate. Depending on your location and the actual cost of the materials, you will be able to use this information to get an estimate based on the dimensions of your build.
• Heating and air conditioning. Since you will be extending your house, there will be more space to heat up or cool down so consider the cost of additional systems and installation.
• Piping and gas. These are to be considered if you are extending or putting up a new kitchen or wet area.
• Materials cost. From the nails to the floor tiles and paint, you need to have your materials estimated.
• Plans and fees. Most reputable design and build providers will look after these for you, but you’ll still need to budget for any associated costs.
• Labor cost. Of course, you will have to pay your builder or contractor.

Conclusion

As you can see, budgeting is an important part of your home extension plan. It pays to have a clear understanding of how much you need to spend and what you can comfortably afford.

If you want an expert’s input on how much your dream extension will cost, please contact us today.