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There are a number of benefits to be had by picking a home extension rather than other ways to overcome your current space concerns. Moving is actually the commonest way that UK property owners address this dilemma. If you're happy in your current community, you might not wish to move away. An acceptable resolution may be to remain in the same area but move to a bigger property. However, maybe you've invested loads of time and effort into getting your home the way you want it. Some style of extension or conversion could be the solution if you're satisfied with your current location and house and don't want to move home.

There are a number of different options to consider when you're thinking of extending your house in UK. While it will to a certain degree depend upon the design and layout of your home you could go with a 2-storey house extension, a conservatory, a one-storey house extension, a loft conversion, a garage conversion or a cellar conversion. A two-storey house extension or a loft conversion will most likely be the most expensive, whilst a garage conversion will broadly speaking be the cheapest of these options. The most commonly seen kind of extension that you see in UK is the single-storey house extension.

When you have decided on the best style of extension for your house you will have to track down a trustworthy builder to undertake the project. To get a general sense of who is available locally, it is recommended that you get several UK builders round to look at your home. Get some suggestions for the best way to move forward and get a few price quotes to get a rough idea about the costs that will be involved. You will also need some guidance on whether or not planning permission is required for the work you are proposing. Being up-to-date with the associated legislation with regards to house extensions is a thing any reputable UK builder really should be.

Planning Permission: Certain home extension work now comes under the much less strict Permitted Development rules, as the planning permission laws have been somewhat relaxed recently. These new laws came into effect in 2019 (May 30th) and made it easier for property owners to carry out refurbishments. Even when you don't require planning permission, all construction work will still need to adhere to the relevant Building Regulations which deal with working safety and standards. Check with your local authority to ascertain whether your extension needs planning permission or get your builder to investigate on your behalf. To examine the current planning regulations you could also look on the government endorsed Planning Portal.

Before you start your house extension you will no doubt know exactly what you need it for, however there are several potential functions that it could serve including: a kitchen/dining room, a bathroom, a home workshop, a utility room, a granny annex, a home cinema, a spare bedroom, a children's playroom or a conservatory or sunroom. I'm confident it will give you great satisfaction, whichever of these you opt for.

Conservatory Extensions UK

Coupled with improving the overall look of your property and generating more space, a conservatory also adds to the value when you come to sell it. With the installation of a nicely built conservatory, your home will be irresistible to potential buyers. Surely at this stage your focus is to generate more space, and a conservatory or sunroom is definitely able to achieve this. The aspect that most people love about a conservatory extension is the huge amount of daylight that it lets into a building. Identifying a conservatory extension to complement your house shouldn't be too difficult because there are numerous different kinds to pick from in UK. Effectively an orangery, a lean-to conservatory, an Edwardian conservatory, a Victorian style conservatory, a T-shaped conservatory or a gable conservatory will be your options. (Tags: Conservatory Extensions UK, Conservatories UK, Conservatory UK)

Two-Storey Home Extensions UK

If you need more space in your home in the UK, moving is not the only option, when you could build a two storey house extension and stay in the home you love. An incredible bonus is that because of the relaxation of planning laws around the UK, a two storey property extension might be covered by the permitted development scheme and not need planning permission.

Any extension expands your liveable space, but a 2 storey construction is a lot more cost effective than a one storey. A two storey home extension has the same planning, foundations and roofing needs as a single storey one, so cost is lower when considering the overall price per m2. As soon as you factor in such costs, as well as the additional bonus of raising the market value of your home, a 2 story extension could be exactly what you need.

Helpful publications: How to Design and Plan a House Extension: Be Your Own Architect by G. Baxter, Make the Home You Love by Fiona McPhillips, The Self-Build Manual by I. Rock, The Complete Handbook of Home Extensions by P. Hymers.