When buying a home, we try our best to plan for the future but with the ability to add extensions to existing property and dwellings, we are able to increase our living opportunities by customising the space we envision for our families. Adding extensions ensures our living spaces are adaptable and growing with the family unit to encompass the best living scenario for your situation without the stressful task of house hunting and moving. For some, a home extension may be part of a plan to expand the property for resale which can increase the price guide for future buyers.
The term extension means to add to an existing property. This can include adding another room, making a room larger or even going upward and adding a second addition to your home.
You may be contemplating extending your home for many reasons such as children becoming older and needing separate space, developing dual occupancy opportunities, resale opportunities or wanting to develop a space for when visitors come to stay. Dependabuild works closely with its clients to ensure their personal reasons for their extension are met with the best advice tailored personally to them and their interests. Dependabuild recognises that each home is individual to the client and wants to encompass these visions within their new extension to truly reflect the client’s vision.
Budgeting for a HOME extension
Budgeting for an extension can vary depending on what type of extension you wish to carry out. Dependabuild works closely with its clients to ensure that budgets are met and the advice provided to the client is variable, giving our clients choice and options. Dependabuild also offers different contracting methods to assist in the budgeting of works, such as cost-plus and fixed price. By being able to provide these varying methods, we are able to assist our clients to get the most out of their money and stick to their budgets whilst receiving a quality personalised product.
Where to begin?
The prospect of extending your home can be exciting and daunting all at the same time and Dependabuild aims to take the overwhelming tasks away from you by assisting you from start to finish. Once you have a general idea of the extension you would like to accomplish, we recommend enlisting the assistance of a designer. Dependabuild works closely with designers and can provide you with contacts if you are unsure of who you would like to go with. A designer will assist you in developing a brief and will listen to all of the motivations behind your extension. They will take this information and develop a plan which can then be used to assist in the makings of the quote and scope of works for the build and the council approval process. By fostering a plan, you are able to get your first look at what your vision may be on paper and will be able to add any important details which may otherwise have been overlooked. Some important things to remember through the design process are:
Who is the extension intended to be for? Will it be for long term use? Does it need to be adaptable?
The extension may be for a playroom, however as children grow, what will this room become and how can you pre-plan to ensure the room is adaptable for this growth?
How do we want the extension to match in with the existing house?
If you are intending to complete a second storey addition, sometimes you may wish to develop a feature for the second storey and this could open up an opportunity for different materials and budgets. You may want the exact same look as the already existing house encompasses which then limits the materials available to use. By thinking about what you would like, you can get a broader idea as to the cost based on the materials needed.
Keep in mind sunlight and natural warmth.
By adding an extension you are changing the existing flow of the house, this means that when designing it is important to keep sunlight and natural warmth in mind.
If you are interested in getting the process for your extension started, please feel free to contact us to discuss your ideas and where you are at with your planning process. We are more than happy to offer any advice we can to assist and help guide you.
Our Contact Details
To contact us and turn your home extension or building plans into reality, please email shane@dependabuild.com.au or alternatively call 0403 891 956 to talk with Shane regarding your vision.
