MissLJBeauty

Start with a realistic budget

Although there are always areas where you can save money on an extension, you do need to make sure your budget is reasonable for the plans you have. 

It’s a good idea to do some research into the costs of different types of extension before you start. Can you realistically achieve the size and style of extension you want with the budget you have? There are plenty of websites to help you accurately price your job up and guide you on the costs of materials and the labour involved. Once you have a ballpark figure you’ll know if your dream extension is feasible or whether you need to reign in your plans. 

If you suspect your budget isn’t sufficient, don’t be downhearted as there may be subtle compromises you can make that won’t affect the overall result. It’s wise to make use of expert advice from your architect and builder, as they may be able to come up with cost-effective solutions that you haven’t thought of. But knowing where to target your money in terms of the design and materials, can help you stretch a tight budget. 

Where to spend and where to save on your design

When you’re formulating an extension design, work with what you’ve got. The fewer alternations you need to make to your existing home, the more cost-effective your extension will be. And don’t make it bigger or more complex than it needs to be. An architect can help draw up a straightforward design that makes good use of the space. So, it’s worth investing in professional design expertise. The more straightforward the design, the easier it’ll be to build without specialist trades. Plus, you should be able to get it completed with a small rather than large team of contractors, cutting your labour costs further. 

Keep it simple and avoid bespoke elements as anything that needs to be custom made will eat up your budget. There’s nothing wrong with sticking to a conventional design and a block and brick construction. You can always zhuzh it up with an off-the-shelf roof lantern or a small section of wood cladding. 

A design and build package can be more cost-effective than hiring an architect and builders separately. Alternatively, if you’ve got the time, do the project management side yourself. But however you approach the build, get plenty of quotes in and compare them carefully to ensure you’re getting the best deal. 

Where to spend and where to save on materials

Although you can’t skimp on structural elements like steel supports, you may be able to save on other areas of the build. For instance, you could achieve a similar look to aluminium window frames by using more affordable black uPVC windows with a slim profile. Again, this is something that your architect should be able to advise you on. So, it’s invaluable to find the right architect to work with. 

The more materials you need to buy, the higher your costs will be. So, reuse materials wherever possible. Save and clean up bricks from any walls or outbuildings you remove and if you have any items such as appliances that are in good condition, reuse them in your extension. 

It’s not always necessary to buy everything new. For instance, a high-quality second-hand kitchen could look as good as new after fitting, especially if it’s finished with new handles and splashbacks. Although that’s not the only way to save money on a kitchen as you could adapt a standard flatpack kitchen to make it look more high-end. You can also ask your builder or contractor if they have trade discounts you can use for the fittings. But in general, the more you plan ahead, the more time you’ll have to shop around for items.

Although there are plenty of places to save money, it’s worth investing in the things that matter such as insulation and other energy efficiency measures as those will pay for themselves over time. It’s also wise to spend money on the things that need to last a long time such as flooring and bathroom suites and save on things you might update more often such as light fittings and wallpaper.