Tips to keep house extension costs down

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Be smart while building your house extension, to save money. We are listing 7 tricks to help you in making value-adding decisions.

  1. Keep designs simple and detailed - It can be the best way to save money from the beginning of extension work. Rather than so many curves, corners, a rectangular or square footprint with a simple roof will be cheaper and convenient. Besides, detailed planning helps an architect to develop the floor plan and elevations that can be the base of all projects. Plans are not just about a drawing; they're also used to -
  • Support for all planning permission certificate application
  • Help builders to serve with an accurate quotations
  • Help in all legal and supply work

 

Choose a reliable architect and explain to them what exactly you want as an outcome.

2. Leave time for paperwork -

A planning permission commission almost takes 8-14 weeks to provide a lawful development certificate. It's advisable not to start any extension work without getting approval from the council. As the delay in paperwork can delay your extension work too, so do that on priority. Ensure that all your appraisal, survey work, building control, and party wall matters get settled before you begin. If you start doing this early, you may get a more competitive quote.

3. Use standard materials and features -

You can get a lot of ready-available and easy to use products. Generally, if you are looking for a custom-made solution, you can eliminate the costing from the initial estimate. Keep it simple using precast beam and block solutions for the block-work for the walls, ground slab, brick, render or timber cladding for the exterior coatings, and can use softwood for the roof frame structure.

4. Check your agreement and break down your quote -

Before starting any extension work gets a tight contract, so, if anything turns during your project, it will give you a proper way to handle inflating costs. Get a fully cost quote from the builder so that you will be aware of the price of each element, and if anything gets changed, you can refer to the original price per unit.

5. Eliminate problematic groundwork -

Avoid building near trees, drains or other services or if you have a detached house, try not to extend too close to your neighbor's house, it may affect their foundation, and they may apply for a Party Wall Act.

6. Compare suppliers -

Compare different supplier price rates form choosing an architect to sourcing a builder. Try soliciting 4-6 quotes for all supplies and finalize the best one. However, we can sometimes say it's possible that the cheaper one will not be the best. House extension London offers value, quality and trust and handles your entire contract precisely to give you the best outcome.

7. Save money on a planning fee -

Expert Architects at House extension London helps you to keep costs down and build low-cost development simultaneously consolidating a high-value design. We will help you throughout the making process of the Planning and Building Regulations applications. It would be the best idea to invest money to those who will look after your interest.

You can avoid paying the fees associated with the planning permission

if your extension comes into the Permitted Development criteria. However, House extension London always advises for an initial pre-consultation inquiry.

8. Hire a project manager -

Whether you're building a two-storey rear extension or a renovated kitchen or just removing your conservatory, a project manager is always relevant to consider.

A project manager will help you to stay updated about the work progress. Also, he will keep an eye to the trades person and will try to complete the work within the timeline.

9. Get the design accurately -

An improvement to the drawings will always require more hours from your architect; on the other hand, any changes during the construction process can cost you more labor, time and materials. Decide the design in one go, as replacements always acquire in extra costs that only become apparent later on. A perfect design ensures that everything is happening in the right place. It becomes crucial when dealing with loft conversions as it has a complexity of having different roof pitches, stair's headroom and the available quality space. However, use the 3D model to make the designing work easier.

10. Negotiate trade discounts -

House extension London uses its own trusted suppliers, and get special prices for their loyalty. We offer the best deal in the market.

We keep our costs down by using basic specifications. Get in touch for more specifications.


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