Top tips before starting your house extension project!
No matter what industry you work in, the start of the year always seems to be hectic, and that’s no exception within the construction industry.
Throughout January we seen an influx of project enquiries - with lots of people deciding to put their grand plans into action! We know that it can be a daunting step to take; so, we thought we would pull together some helpful tips for anybody considering extending, altering or building their own home!
So, here’s our top 5 tips for starting your own project…
1. Take your time to create a project wish list. Before engaging with an architect, it is useful to make a list of what you want from your home, what currently works & doesn’t work about your home, how you currently use existing spaces etc. This list becomes incredibly useful during those initial conversations with an architect! (See our Guide to Domestic Design for some help)
2. Find an Architect that fits your specific needs. There are many small-scale residential architectural practices out there, so take your time to explore who would be best suited to you. Consider what kind of services they offer; whether you like their design style; do they have similar values to you? The RIBA have a great article on what to look out for when selecting an architect – read it HERE.
3. Don’t rush! One of the biggest mistakes people make when altering their home is rushing the design process. This normally results in projects not being as successful as they could be. Either clients haven’t fully considered how they will use the spaces, or architects haven’t had the chance to fully explore every design option for you. To get the most out of your project, spend time in those early design stages & make sure you’re getting exactly what you want AND need!
4. Be wary when it comes to timescales. We’re always very transparent when it comes to timescales (both our own & council approval timescales). If you come to us in January & expect your project to be on site by April - we’ll be upfront and tell you that won’t happen (and if someone is telling you otherwise, then steer well clear!). As a general rule we recommend engaging with an Architect 6-8 months before you want your project to start on site. This will stand you in great stead for a smooth (& hopefully enjoyable!) design & construction process.
5. Set a realistic budget! So often, we hear of projects going over budget and clients struggling to finish the project. This is not helped by TV shows like Grand Designs & Your Home Made Perfect!!! Now we’re not saying we don’t love these shows; but the projects do have a track record of going over budget… We will be writing an entire blog post on the topic of staying on budget, but as a starter we advise budgeting somewhere around £1600-2200/m2 for single storey projects, £2000-2500/m2 for two storey, and £750-1200/m2 for interior renovation projects. These are very loose numbers to be used to set your early stage budget only, and throughout the design process we will always speak about your budget with you. We have years of experience designing & delivering successful projects, and will use all of that experience to make sure your project is also delivered on time and on budget!
Well, that’s a quick overview of our 5 most useful tips before getting started on your own project! Inevitably, deciding to alter, extend or build your dream home will be stressful at times; however, if you find the right architect and trust their process (you can read about ours HERE) - then you should be able to enjoy yourself along the way!
If you found this post helpful and you’re considering starting your own project within the next 12 months, we are offering a limited number of FREE Feasibility Consultation Calls - which you can apply for by clicking the link below.