Extending Your House Is Far Less Hassle Than Moving To A Bigger One!

A house extension in progress in Los Angeles, California, USA

There comes a time in every family’s life when the house in which they are living just isn’t big enough anymore. At this point, you have three options – firstly, put up with it, secondly, move to a bigger house, or thirdly, make the most of what you have got!

Seeing as putting up with it will just be stressful, and moving to a bigger house is something that not many people can afford, a room addition is the best possible solution! In this article, we’ll tell you a little more so that you can decide whether or not extending your house could be right for you.

Why Extend?

A big family in Winchester, United Kingdom – Photo Courtesy: Henry Burrows

Extending a house is not without its complications. Firstly, you’ll need to have enough space for the additional room or rooms, and that in itself can be a challenge. Then, you’ll need to make sure that you have planning permission, and you will need the help of an architect to help you get this through. Plus, when the extension is being done, you will have to put up with a little short-term disruption. So, why do it?

The simple fact is that as a family grows, so does its need for space. Adding an extra room or a couple of extra rooms significantly impacts your quality of life – you will find that everybody is able to spread out a little more, meaning less conflicts and more happy family times!

How to Go About It

You will have to find an architect that you know and trust – get one on recommendation from your friends if you don’t know one personally. Then, once the plans are in place and the relevant permissions required, you will need to recruit a building contractor. Choose one that is experienced in room additions so that you are confident that they will be able to get on with it and get the job done quickly. The more you communicate with your architect and builder, the better, as they will need to be absolutely clear on your brief.

When the day of the works arrives, try to plan lots of outdoor activities so that you are out of the house as much as possible (summertime is definitely the best for large building works to happen). Be patient as the work is carried out, and in the meantime, start looking for décor and furniture ideas.

Fit It Out

Spacious Family Room in a home in Plymouth, Michigan – Photo Courtesy: Debra Drummond

When the new room or rooms are ready, it’s time to decorate them, and fit them out. You should have already decided what purpose each new room with serve, so make sure that you are ready to kit it out as soon as the works are finished. It’ll take some time for all the dust to settle, so be prepared for some serious vacuum cleaning!

Before you know it, you will be living in a house that better suits your needs for a fraction of the price that it would have cost to move house altogether. Make the most of your new-found space and don’t be tempted to clutter it up – keep the house tidy for maximum enjoyment!

Susan David is an interior design expert and a mother of two. She writes for ESV Construction, a company providing house bolting services in Los Angeles. She enjoys gardening and swimming during her free time.