Getting a house extension is one of the best things you could ever do to improve your quality of life and property value too, but the costs that go behind it can be a little bit daunting if you’re new to home renovations, like most of us are.
There are lots of different factors that go into undergoing the extension, and understanding what they are and what they entail before they even happen is one of the best ways to maximise their potential, without any nasty surprises.
As part of our client commitment to provide you with everything you need to know before you start, our complete guide to the cost of a house extension in 2020 aims to iron out all your queries regarding costings, pricing and design influences that you’ll be working with along the way.
HOW MUCH DOES A HOUSE EXTENSION COST IN 2020?
To be truthful, the price varies. Depending on the size of your extension and your specifications the price will naturally vary. With that being said, there are a few basic rules that can be helpful to keep in mind.
Key areas for your house extension costs could be:
- Size – The smaller your extension is, the cheaper it will be, but remember, this is an investment as well as a cost.
- Location – The location plays a part too, the closer you are to London, the more expensive your home extension will be.
- Facilities – Different types of extension cost different amounts, especially with things like plumbing for kitchens or bathrooms, or even more for multiple storey extensions.
- Materials – The materials for the appearance and furnishings both inside and out can have massively varying prices.
- Services – With designs, planning, regulations, materials, labour, management and furnishings, the services you need to make your unique extension come to life impact your price dramatically.
All of these have a big effect on the overall price you’ll be paying for your house extension, but we’ll break this down for you in more detail below.
THE COST OF A SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION
The most popular type of house extension that people are looking for is a single storey extension, so we’ll cost this type of project first but without the features and fittings, as this can apply to all types of extension.
BUILD COSTS
The estimated building cost for a single storey extension is anywhere between £1200-£1900 per metre squared depending on whether you opt for a basic, good, or high standard, and your location.
Using this, we can determine the estimated build cost by multiplying the estimated build costs per square meter by the size of the extension. For example, if you had a 4m x 4m extension, the cost may be anywhere between £19,200 – £30,400.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
For architectural design fees, including surveying, design, relevant planning applications and building regulations drawings, you should expect to pay anything from £500 – £1500. Additional costs can be incurred if you require project management.
It is also important to remember other fees for various types of planning applications and building control submission too. Various governing bodies and authorities charge for their services, after all. They’re usually between £50-£600 depending upon your project requirements and location.
If you are interested in a single storey extension, enquire today for a free no obligation quotation and advice.
THE COST OF A DOUBLE STOREY EXTENSION
Double storey house extensions are another incredible way to expand your home, but they are slightly pricier (although they are also technically better value for money). Again, fixtures, fittings and facilities remain the same cost, no matter where they are, so we’ll talk about these in more detail soon.
BUILD COSTS
For the build cost of a double storey extension, the general rule of thumb if both the storeys are the same size is to add an extra 50% to the build cost of a single storey extension. It’s 50% more and not 100% more because the groundwork and the costs for much of the procedures remain the same.
Using this rule and the figures above, a double storey extension should be anywhere between £1800-£2850 per metre squared. Again then, using our 4m x 4m example above, if your single storey extension is estimated to cost anywhere between £19,200 – £30,400 then your double storey extension would cost anywhere between £28,800 – £45,600.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COSTS
For architectural design fees, again, including surveying, design, relevant planning applications and building regulations drawings, you should expect to pay anything from £850 – £2500. Just like with singles though, additional costs can be incurred if you require project management, and this will likely cost more since there is more work to be managed.
Again, it is also important to note external fees for various types of planning applications and building control submission, which are usually between £50-£600 depending upon your project requirements and location.
If you are interested in a double storey extension, enquire today for a free no obligation quotation and advice.
WHAT ABOUT THE EXTRAS?
After the build costs and the design costs are accounted for, finishing’s and fittings can sometimes rack up additional costs and lead to a larger bill than expected, too.
Some of the biggest costs here come from:
- Light fittings
- Wall finishes
- Windows & sky lights
- Flooring choices
- Fitted joinery
- Bathroom suites
- Kitchen facilities
This list of course goes on, but these can make a massive difference to the overall price of the extension, so make sure to consider these in your budget.
A really useful tip is to not be pressured into getting something you don’t want. This is your extension in your home, and therefore it’s your decision and yours alone. Listen to advice, but don’t feel like your backed into a corner. That’s just another reason you need to ensure you’re choosing a great builder for the job or getting reliable project management.
VERIFICATION OF PRICES
Finally, it’s also very important to remember that different builders and services will ask for different prices for the job. It’s a competitive business after all, and there are lots of people out there who’d love to take on your job.
We advise all our clients to get at least 3 quotes from builders, which we can help with as well have trusted and recommended builders we regularly work with.
This way you can get an accurate feel for the going rate for work, but it’s always down to you to choose who you feel comfortable with, even if you do request some guidance form us or any other service you’re working with.
It’s also important to research your builders wisely, so you get someone who is experienced in doing house extensions to a good standard. Quality of work, communication, reliability and pricing are all big factors, so really do give it some thought (and avoid cowboy builders too!).
If you would like to discuss a house extension further with one of our team, we are always happy to help.
