Collaborative Post
Building an extension onto your house is rarely a one-off expense. Even renovations can be more expensive to account for in the long run; more space means you have to work harder to insulate and pump heat in, most of all. And on top of that, you’ve got to decorate and furnish all that new space as well. You’ve probably accounted for these immediate costs, but you may still have a lot of spreadsheet balancing to come! So, how much more expensive can an extension make your home? Here are a few of the potential contributing factors.
What Was Your Initial Budget?
The higher this savings point, the lower the long term costs. After all, the more modern amenities you can afford to put in your extension, the easier it’ll be to look after the new room in your house. For example if you’re able to, fitting underfloor heating as soon as possible can save you a lot of money on future energy bills.
And if you’ve still got some of the budget left, don’t stop there. See if you can get a more energy efficient boiler fitted, or at least get your current one serviced by a professional. You need to find out your energy output right now; knowing its heating capability will help you estimate running costs over the next few months as you find the temperature sweet spot.
If Energy Bills are Already High
Then an extension may only make the problem worse. Of course, you can always think about getting energy sources fitted onto your home. Working with a company like All Seasons Energy to install solar panels is a great decision for lowering annual price points.
But in the here and now, you need to generate at least an average cost for the size and usage of your new room. If it’s an extra bedroom for guests, you only have to heat intermittently. But if it’s going to be a studio or home office you’ll use every day, this daily costs are going to pile up and become unmanageable.
Insulation Matters More Than Ever
Insulating your extension is a standard part of the construction process. However, if you’re thinking of cutting corners here by leaving the window double glazing until later, or only putting one layer of cavity stuffing in, you may be making a mistake. Sure, it’s cheaper now, but that money you save will burn up as you try to maintain a healthy temperature (as well as keep damp and mold out!).
You’ll also want to look into legal standards for home insulation. Most homes need around 150 mm of wall insulation in all rooms, and if you fail to live up to this regulation, your whole home might be affected. It might become colder, more humid, and damper across the entire property.
A home extension is a super pricey project for all homeowners, but it’ll also be a pricey construction to look after if you’re not careful!
