Getting ready to extend your home can be a daunting task. From choosing the right builder to deciding which tiles for your dream floor there are a lot of decisions to make.
Yet it’s also one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make.
Transforming your current house into the dream home you’ve always wanted is a thrilling journey – if you do it right, and have the right team of professionals supporting you.
Yet first you need to get educated, and understand the traps to avoid – which is why I’m going to share some insider hints and tips with you today…
Kicking things off – where should you start?
The first question to ask yourself is…
Should the entire new section of the home be built with similar materials, so it looks like it was always there?
Or do you want the new section to stand out and provide some contrast?
This can give you some pretty modern and exciting design options. Just pick up any home reno magazine or check out our gallery for ideas.
What is the purpose of your home extension?
Next you want to get clear on how much space you actually need and the purpose – here’s a few common reasons:
- Is the extension to create more bedrooms for a growing family?
- Is it to create a parents’ oasis in a separate (and quieter) area to the kids?
- Maybe you just want a bigger kitchen?
- Perhaps you’re extending so your parents can live with you, or stay over more often?
Whatever your reasons, think about the rooms you’ll need and how you might be able to configure them in the space. Do you need one or two extra bedrooms?
Will a bathroom or ensuite be necessary, and do you want any kind of living area space?or
My best advice – begin with the end in mind.
Avoiding Cost Blowouts
Once you have an idea of what you want, it’s time to figure out your budget and how much your extension is going to cost. I wrote in detail about how to get an accurate quote in my post on how to choose a builder in the gold coast . You want to make sure your quote is detailed and accurate and does NOT include too many PC items – which are a general allowance for materials rather than being specific and itemised. Often leading to cost blowouts. Check it out for more information regarding how to avoid that issue.
Avoid this common (and costly) mistake
The most common issue we see with extensions has to do with the foundation of the house you’re starting with.
It’s something you have to be aware of and factor in BEFORE you start building because it affects 1 in 3 homes on the Gold Coast…
Yes, I’m talking about Termites.
These little critters cause more headaches with extensions than any other factor.
When you’re extending a home, the foundation must be strong enough to carry the additional weight.
The problem is often termite control either wasn’t done properly, or was accidentally damaged by the other trades in the building process.
The biggest problem we see when we go in to repair extension’s that have gone wrong, is the termite control didn’t hold up.
It allows them to come up through the control or construction joints where the new slab meets the old.
Or where the new brickwork meets the old, and they get into the whole house.
It’s a bigger issue on the Gold Cost and Queensland because there are more of them, and they grow bigger in the warmer climates.
And the worst part:
Termite damage is NOT covered by insurance so the repairs have to come out of your own pocket.
So how do you prevent this issue?
Simple – inspect the site for termites before the new extension to ensure termite protection is intact to protect the home.
Where to next?
For more detailed info on how to go about extending or renovating your home check out my original post on how to choose a builder in the gold coast.
Or feel free to give us a call anytime. We’d be only too happy to answer any questions you have, guide you on the best way to go about your extension or renovation and provide a detailed and itemised quote so you know exactly what you need.
