Extending your home is becoming an increasingly popular choice with homeowners who are looking for more space, experiencing a change of circumstance or even just wanting to ‘spruce up’ a tired property. Home extensions can take many forms and can be used for any purpose that the client wishes, from a simple porch extension or conservatory to a complex multi-storey extension used for a garage, utility, kitchen, living & dining room.

Thinking of extending your home?
Having an extension built on your house can be one of the most exciting projects you may ever take on.
Once you’ve taken the plunge, had plans drawn up and planning permission has been given, there is the daunting task of finding a builder.

Don’t be put off by all the publicity about cowboy builders. It wouldn’t be news if all builders were the same. The large majority of builders are reputable and will do a good job on your building work.

PORCHES



Porches are typically small extensions to the front of a house, although they can be much larger and can be built to the side or to the rear. They are generally simple structures of only brick dwarf walls and columns, windows and a door. They can be plastered or left as bare brick and generally have a light and possibly an electric socket.

CONSERVATORIES



Fairly simple structures are usually made of UPVC, although they can be timber or aluminium. Some conservatories require planning permission and some do not. See Is Planning Permission Needed?

ORANGERIES



An orangery, or sunroom, is essentially a conservatory with a solid roof and walls – albeit with plenty of glazing as well. They have the advantage of being sturdy and warm, while also bringing in a lot of sunlight. Typically more expensive than a conservatory, it is advisable to employ both an architectural company and a building company experienced in this type of project.

SINGLE STOREY



Single storey extensions are simply an extension built onto a part of the house whereby one side (or more) of the extension adjoins the property and there is only the ground floor plus any basement built to it. Main considerations here must be the size of the extension and its impact upon neighbours, how the roof will work with the existing building and specifically whether the same type of roof covering of the existing property can be used on the extension. Positions of flues, drains and excavations must all be considered.

MULTI STOREY



A multi-storey extension can, like a single storey extension, also be built to any part of the existing building. However, with an extension of more than one storey, the possibility of nuisance towards neighbours is much stronger. In some instances it may be possible to build what you want without requiring planning permission, but we would strongly advise that you get a letter from the Planning Department to cover this.