5 Things You Need To Know Before Building A House Extension

A house extension involves adding a room or a set of rooms to your property after initial construction has been completed. House extensions are one of the most popular home improvement projects and it can even increase your home’s value by up to 15 percent.

Here are some things you should know before you embark upon a house extension project.

Estimated Time to Complete

Depending on the project scope and complexity, a typical house extension project takes 7-15 months. A couple of other factors that can affect project duration are weather and contractor availability. In addition to this, if you need approval for the extension, then your project could take much longer. Planning and building control problems can derail a project and cause costly delays.

With this in mind, the best residential contractors near you in Santa Rosa can foresee planning and building control issues and address them on time to keep projects on track. This is where Holly Construction comes in. Here at Holly Construction, our 38 years of experience provide us with top industry and county knowledge to help keep our projects on track, both timely and financially.

Your Extension Must Comply With Building Regulations

Building regulations establish standards that buildings must comply with. In the U.S., they are usually set at the state and local levels. Non-compliance with these standards can attract a hefty penalty, or worse, your new build can be demolished.

Building regulations usually establish standards related to fire safety, structure, ventilation, hygiene, drainage and waste disposal, and electrical safety. An experienced architect or structural engineer can develop detailed drawings which your contractor can use during construction to avoid mistakes and ensure compliance with building regulations.

You May Need to Move Out

Making additions to your home is an involved project. Depending on the nature of the work to be carried out, your contractor may have to turn off your water supply and restrict access to the kitchen and bathroom.

If you decide to live on-site during a home extension, performing everyday tasks in a chaotic environment can be tough. To avoid inconvenience and ensure the safety of your loved ones, consider moving into a rented property.

You May Need to Take Out Insurance

Typically, regular home insurance does not cover major home improvements, including house extensions. Review your policy and talk to your insurer to better understand what it does and doesn’t cover and take out additional insurance if necessary.

Potential Obstacles May Stall Your Project

Several factors beyond your control can derail your extension. If, for example, there is a protected tree in your garden, you may need additional permission from local authorities. Similarly, if your project can cause potential damage to nearby roads, local authorities may hesitate to give the go-ahead until you have a solid plan to prevent negative outcomes.

Holly Construction is a renowned design-build firm serving Santa Rosa. No matter how complicated your vision is, our design-build experts are equipped to bring it to life. To make an appointment, call 707-541-0700.