Getting an extension is a highly popular choice amongst modern homeowners, often being the most effective solution for meeting their home and space needs without involving the stress and cost associated with moving (especially if upsizing!). Despite its popularity, arranging a home extension is still a lengthy process - one that requires many considerations to be taken into account.
If you're considering planning a home extension, then keep reading as we discuss such considerations in this guide, including why you may choose to get one, key steps in arranging one and ensuring effective waste management throughout.
Why Get an Extension?
There are many reasons why you may consider getting an extension on your existing home, these could include:
● Expanding your family
● Having an older relative move in
● Requiring home office space
● Creating your dream space
Ultimately, however, each of these reasons often come down to the same main thing: you want/require more space.
Whilst there are alternative solutions, such as using temporary storage solutions to maximise space potential or moving to a bigger home, these aren’t necessarily the most cost-effective or practical options.
Self-storage is great for temporary space requirements, yet not a practical or cost-effective long-term solution. On the flip side, moving home may meet your space needs, however is an incredibly expensive financial investment - one that may be hard to justify if you don’t want to move out of your current location.
An extension, then, offers the best of both worlds - more, permanent space for a more manageable cost.
Steps to Getting an Extension
The prospect of arranging an extension may be rather daunting, as there is a lot that will need to be organised and you may feel unsure where to start. We’ve consolidated some of the important first steps below for you.
Setting a Realistic Budget
First and foremost, think about your budget. It’s all very well designing and planning your dream extension, however if you then come to find that turning the expectations you have into a reality is too expensive, this can leave you feeling disheartened and rushed to decide which design aspects to compromise on.
By setting yourself a realistic budget from the get-go - one that you can afford, most importantly - then you can ensure that this is adhered to throughout your extension project and will know exactly what you can expect from an extension that fits into this budget.
Planning Permission
Whether or not you will need planning permission for your home extension depends on the type of extension that you have. For example, you’re unlikely to need planning permission if the extension:
● Covers less than half of the land area around the initial house
● Uses similar materials/appears similar to the existing home
● Does not exceed the highest part of the existing roof
● Is a single-storey side extension that is no taller than four metres
● Is a side extension that doesn’t exceed half of the width of the original house
This is not an extensive list, however, so it’s important that you check with your local planning authority whether or not permission will be required for your extension plans, especially considering that rules are different depending on whether you have a rear, front-facing or side extension.
Consulting Professionals
There are various professionals you will need to get in touch with in order to get your extension underway.
The first will be an architect. Whilst there isn’t a legal requirement to hire an architect to design your extension for you, it’s highly recommended, as their expertise and advice is indispensable and they can ensure that the plans for your extension are both safe and legal. Having their input in the initial planning stages can help to ensure a smooth and efficient process, setting the rest of the project in good stead.
Next you’ll want to find a reliable contractor to carry out the actual building work. The best way to find a trustworthy local contractor is through word of mouth and recommendations, although you should also check reviews, get multiple written quotes and look for examples of their previous work. Make sure you only hire qualified, insured tradespeople and don’t be afraid to ask for warranties.
Other tradespeople you may also need to consider hiring include:
● Electricians
● Plumbers
● Decorators
Planning & Preparation
There are various additional things you’ll want to plan ahead of time or at least prepare to plan for when required later on in the project.
For example, you’ll want to speak to your insurer about whether you’ll need additional cover for an extension, create a schedule of all the works, order any necessary materials (unless your tradesperson has agreed to do this) and check that there will be enough access space for all vehicles.
It’s also a good idea to inform your neighbours that you will be having work carried out, as is common etiquette, so that they can be prepared for any noise or traffic disturbances.
Waste Disposal During an Extension
As with any type of building works, an extension is going to generate various levels of waste throughout the project.
As such, waste management is a key solution you’ll want to factor into your planning. Whilst many builders might work with skip hire companies or may hire a skip on your behalf, this could be an expense you’re required to cover, or perhaps something you would prefer to arrange yourself.
If you do choose to personally arrange the skip hire for your extension project, then ensure you take into account the following important considerations.
Choosing the Right Size Skip
Skips come in different sizes, so it’s important that you choose the right size to suit the needs of your extension project. If you order one that’s too small, then it may not be able to hold all of the waste that’s generated, whereas if you order one that’s too big, then this won’t be cost-efficient for you.
A standard sized domestic skip is 6-yards, which holds approximately 60 bin bags’ worth of waste. Whilst these tend to be ideal for landscaping projects, home renovations or kitchen refits, you may find that for a slightly larger project such as an extension, a slightly larger skip would be best.
An 8-yard skip is likely to be ideal, then, being able to fit approximately 80 bin bags’ worth of waste. Appropriately, these skips are also known as builder’s skips, as they are often used for a variety of commercial jobs and large-sized home improvement projects.
Of course, if you’re unsure then you can always ask your builder for advice or contact your skip hire company directly for advice.
Obtaining the Necessary Permits
If you haven’t got any space on your property - i.e. on your driveway or front garden - for a skip to be placed and it instead needs to be placed on the public highway outside your home, then you will need to obtain a skip permit.
This is your responsibility, not the responsibility of the skip hire company, and can be obtained from your local council. You will also be required to have cones and lights in place at all times alongside your skip.
Ensuring Proper Use of the Skip
Not only are there different skip sizes, but different skips are licensed to hold different types of waste. For example, a recycled waste skip should only be used to hold the specified type of recyclable waste and nothing else, a green waste skip should only be used to hold garden waste and a hazardous waste skip should only be used to store hazardous waste.
The type of skip you’ll likely want for your extension, then, is a general mixed waste skip. This allows you to mix various types of waste in this skip, although that’s not to be confused with meaning all waste items can go into it.
There are certain items that are prohibited from going in a skip, including:
● Monitors/TVs
● Fridges and freezers
● Domestic seating waste
● Tyres
● Fluorescent tubes and paint tins
● Plasterboard
Make sure you familiarise yourself with these and that your builders are also aware of the prohibited items, as improper use of your skip could result in you facing penalty charges. We’ve covered important skip hire legalities & limitations to consider in more detail if this is something you’d like to learn more about.
Get in Touch
So, are you feeling more prepared to arrange a home extension now? If you live in or around Newcastle and are planning your own extension, or perhaps are simply carrying out a home refurbishment, then we’ve got your waste management needs covered here at Cherry Hill Waste Ltd.
We offer a range of skip sizes from small, domestic skips to large, commercial skips. Whatever you require, we’ve got a skip to suit your needs.
Get in touch with us today with any enquiries and to learn more about our service.
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