The dilemma is hen and egg. You suppose that the home you need oozes potential. However how will you ever know before you purchase that you just will not — actually — hit a brick wall if you start any constructing work?
What are the pink flags which might scupper your extension plans? The trick, say specialists, is to do the detective work earlier than doing the deal.
In response to Jonathan Rolande, founding father of property funding agency Home Purchase Quick, there are two varieties of extension: ‘One stays throughout the footprint of the prevailing property, for instance a loft extension. And the opposite builds outwards.
Historic and fashionable: Make certain your plans conform to native restrictions earlier than starting work on an extension
‘Renovations could both fall beneath what’s termed ‘permitted improvement’ (typically the case with each storage and loft conversions) or these which can want planning permission from the native authority.’
That is why doing all of your homework (no pun supposed) is important. Researching the planning historical past of the property — by way of the native authority web site — will flag up whether or not any prior planning purposes have been granted. Or extra considerably, refused — and in that case, on what grounds.
Rachel Redwood, who works on the actual property group of regulation agency Kingsley Napley, explains: ‘Totally different planning guidelines apply to properties in conservation areas in addition to for listed properties, so a purchaser ought to discover out by way of their solicitor whether or not the property falls into both class.’
Some properties may be topic to restricted covenants — third-party rights that are registered in opposition to the title of the property. These clauses can prohibit alterations or extensions. They could even dictate what supplies should be used.
A superb clue as as to whether your buy will allow you to flip goals into bricks and mortar is solely to have a look at the homes within the surrounding space.
Louise Kerridge, an account handler at Renovation Plan, which specialises in self-build insurance coverage, says: ‘If the property is a part of a cluster of listed buildings, you will have restrictions on the fashion of extension and the supplies you employ, or it’s possible you’ll not have the ability to construct in any respect.’
similar-sized homes on the road can even provide clues as to what’s possible when it comes to extensions.
Joe Warner, director of structure at BDN Ltd, recommends investigating the supplies used, too, by talking to a structural engineer. For instance, alterations to timber-framed properties can pose a problem.
‘As a result of nature of their design and engineering, timber alterations may be rather more concerned or restrictive in contrast with conventional masonry houses.’
After all, not everybody needs the identical factor, so it helps to consider the sort of extension you need. Bake Off followers could fantasise over a much bigger kitchen, whereas these pondering of working from dwelling would possibly dream of a examine.
So merely wanting on the property — and the land it’s constructed on — will give an concept of whether or not it will probably accommodate the venture you keep in mind. Put merely, is there sufficient house to construct outwards?
‘In case you are making inner modifications, the age of the property is necessary,’ says Ian McConville, of builders’ retailers MKM.
‘If it is an older property, you’ll have to undergo brick to make room modifications, if it is a new-build that is far simpler.’
And one remaining factor to recollect. Whereas an extension ought to add worth to your home, it is not routinely the case.
So it is necessary to know your ceiling value: the utmost quantity a purchaser would pay for a property in your avenue earlier than they’ll discover a comparable home for a similar cash in a greater avenue.
‘In case you are on the ceiling value, it is unlikely any renovations or extension would add to the worth, and you can find yourself out of pocket,’ provides Ian McConville.
In the marketplace… ripe for extensions
Bedfordshire: Situated within the fairly stone village of Stevington, 14-16 Silver Avenue has 4 bedrooms and planning permission for a two storey extension. Jackson-stops.co.uk, 01525 290 641. £375,000
Shropshire: This good-looking three storey Georgian farmhouse in St Martins Oswestry has an connected barn and double storage. There’s planning permission for a rear single storey extension. Struttandparker.com, 07919 128 326.- £950,000