1. Planning Your Extension
This might sound obvious but start by deciding where you want the extension to go. The majority of projects usually go on the back of a house, but working out the precise area is an important step. Wrapping your extension around the side of the house, for example, can really have an impact on the downstairs layout and how you use your home if you do internal work.
It’s also worth deciding now what you plan to use your extension for, as this will affect the decision. For example, you might not want to use it as a downstairs bedroom if you have to walk through it to get to the back garden.
We would also strongly recommend that you complete a budget plan before going further. Get a clear understanding of how much you can realistically spend, and consider building a backup fund as well, just in case any unexpected fees turn up further down the line. You can check out our recent and helpful guide on this for reference.
2. Design and Preparation
Here, we’d recommend getting in touch with a local expert, such as your local hup! builder. They’ll be able to help you figure out the precise dimensions and design, including the location of your windows and doors, as well as preferred wall finishes and roof options (such as lanterns, which are an excellent look for flat roof home extensions).
As an added benefit, your local hup! builder will take you through all of the different design options by using our online design software, allowing you to explore every aspect of hup! extensions without having to spend an extra penny with architects.
Work with a hup! builder, and it will also be far easier as they’ll help you navigate all of the local regulations. Though luckily, many hup! extensions will not need planning permission as they will be possible to build under the Permitted Development framework. As a bonus, hup! is also Building Regulation compliant and pre-approved by several Approved Inspectors like Stroma, MFA and Assent which will make the design and preparation part of your home extension project faster and easier, especially compared to traditional building methods.
3. Step-by-Step Building Process
From start to finish, constructing a new house extension with traditional building methods can take a couple of weeks or months, depending on weather delays.
That being said choose hup! and you’ll soon discover that the house extension timeline is remarkably fast. hup! can be built on the existing conservatory footings or a steel framed basework with ground screws, so there is no need to lay the vast new groundwork or wait weeks for a concrete base to set. Within a day, hup! builders will go straight to building the framework. Instead of brick, our walls are made with our innovative Ultrapanels, which clip together easily to form a strong and secure structure in no time at all.
This also means that you can say goodbye to any weather delays by choosing hup!. It can be built in any weather condition, including rain or extreme temperatures, which would otherwise stop a traditional build. Apart from being built five times faster than brick extensions, hup! also has the benefit of being tidier too. Once the extension is up, there is nothing left on site, and builders will not have to waste time cleaning up the mess.
4. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Aside from trivial issues like builders accidentally locking themselves out of vans or being delayed by traffic, the biggest problem is normally down to miscommunication. You may have heard about horror stories like a supplier mishearing an architect and adding an extra ‘zero’ in the wrong place on an order form, or vital components being removed from the market at the exact time you need them.
Regardless of this, hup! quotes include as many extras as possible in the initial cost to try to avoid unnecessary or stressful surprises. Even then, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency backup fund to cover any additional expenses.
Though the best way to avoid all of these common challenges is to work with hup!. All of our projects are completed entirely by reliable and approved hup! builder using hup! technology and components. You’ll have a single point of contact rather than half a dozen builders, electricians, architects, and suppliers to liaise with, so you’ll also be able to address any issues quickly.
Take The Stress Out of The Equation With hup!
As you can see, designing and installing a new extension is a big job. However, it does not need to be a stressful one and by choosing hup! you’re getting an efficient, fast and cost effective way to upgrade your home. Why not browse through some of our real-life examples to get inspiration for your project and hear from people who chose a hup! build. Then find your local hup! builder and get started on your hup! home extension project.
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