Have you outgrown your property? Perhaps your family is growing and you need more space or you’ve found yourself working from home need another room for an office? Whatever the case, chances are you’re either thinking of moving house or extending. So at this point, you may find yourself asking the question ” Is it better to move house or extend?”. Although you might think buying a new property is the easiest solution, adding an extension could be the better option. At High & Dry Renovations, we’ve carried out hundreds of home extensions in Scunthorpe, Brigg, and Grimsby over the years. We can help you to unlock your home’s potential and avoid the hassle and expense of relocating.
House Extensions a cost-effective investment
With house prices continuing to climb and the stamp duty cut coming to an end, opting for an extension may be the better option if you need more space in your home. Moving house can be incredibly costly when you consider the deposit, survey, estate agency fees, solicitors costs, and removal services. There’s little surprise that the UK is seeing a boom in house extensions as people look to create more room in their properties.
Building an extension makes good financial sense since it can add significant value to your home. Whilst it’s hard to say exactly how much value it can add as this varies depending on the house, location, and type of extension, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised. Research carried out by Nationwide revealed that an extension creating a double bedroom and an ensuite can add up to 23% to a property’s value. An additional double bedroom could add 12% and an extra bathroom 6%.
UK lending company Zopa surveyed 1000 home-improvers and found that the average extension cost was £19,750. Whilst this may seem like a substantial sum, the average ROI was 71% and the average profit was £14,000. These are big numbers that should make you think very seriously about opting for a home extension.
Avoid the stressful process of selling, buying, and moving
If it’s been a while since you moved house, you might have forgotten just how challenging the process can be. In fact, moving house is often cited as one of the most stressful life events. It often leads to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Moving house isn’t just difficult due to the logistical challenges of moving everything you own somewhere new. Nicky Lidbetter, the chief executive of Anxiety UK says that moving house represents a transition in life and that the change and unfamiliarity involved causes stress and worry for many people. When you invest in a home extension rather than selling up and relocating, you can avoid the difficulties that moving home can bring.
No need to make big changes to your life
When you add an extension to your property rather than moving, there’s no need for you to make big changes to your life. If you’re only contemplating moving on because you need more space in your home and you’re generally happy with where you are, extending is likely to be the better choice. You can avoid the difficult process of finding new schools for your kids, changing jobs, or adding the extra travel time to your daily commute. Plus, you won’t need to deal with potentially moving further away from family and friends. Your needs may have changed over the years. However, you can address them quite easily without disrupting your family and moving somewhere new. An extension can give you the space you need without sacrificing your old life in the process.
Planning permission not required for permitted developments
Rules known as ‘permitted development’ rights let you extend your house without needing to apply for planning permission, as long as certain conditions are met. The rules were recently relaxed, allowing you to build an extension of up to six metres (or up to eight metres for detached properties) without planning permission. So, whether you’re building a porch in your front garden or a kitchen to the rear of your home, you can probably do this without planning permission. However, there are some restrictions to consider. For example, if your house is located in a Conservation Area, you’ll need to apply for planning permission.
Types of house extensions
At High & Dry Renovations, we can carry out a wide range of house extensions in Grimsby, Scunthorpe, and Brigg. We can discuss your requirements with you before providing expert advice and guidance to help you select the right extension to meet your needs. Home extensions we offer include:
- Side extensions. Both semi-detached and detached houses can be extended sideways. If the space on either side of your property is rarely used, this may be a good option. However, keep in mind that side extensions need planning permission. You’ll need to check with your local council about getting a permit.
- Rear extensions. Rear extensions can usually proceed under the new permitted development rules. If you have a large enough back garden or yard, you can add to your living space with an extension at the rear of your property. If your kitchen faces the back garden, you may want to consider extending it to turn it into a nice open-plan kitchen with dining space.
- Front extensions. Front extensions are possible by building a porch, providing you with the ideal place to hang coats and store shoes. A porch can also improve your home’s insulation and security. A planning permit won’t usually be necessary for this type of extension.
High & Dry can also offer garage conversions, lost conversions, barn conversions, and office conversions. We specialise in helping you make the most of your home. Our team can expand and enhance your living space to the highest possible standards. In summary, when it comes to is it better to move house or extend, its an individuals choice but in most instances the extension can be better.
Contact us
We hope that this answered the question of, is it better to move house or extend? To find out more about how we can help with house extensions in Scunthorpe, Brigg, or Grimsby, get in touch. Call us on 01652 808 049 (Brigg), 01724 646 035 (Scunthorpe), or
01472 565 074 (Grimsby) to discuss your requirements with one of our friendly team. You can also send us a message via the website if you prefer.