DIY Home Extensions: Is It Possible To Go It Alone?
There are all kinds of reasons you might have for wanting to extend your home. Maybe you love the location of your current home but don’t think it’s big enough. Rather than moving out and sacrificing that great location, you could make it bigger by building an extension. If you’re the kind of person that likes to get your hands dirty and do things for yourself, you might be tempted to go it alone. But is it really possible to build a home extension in a 100% DIY manner? That’s up for debate.
The Costs Involved
Many people choose to take a DIY approach to their home extension because they think it will save them money. This is true in some ways, but not in others. Yes, you probably won’t have to pay as many labourers if you do it alone. But you will still have to pay for other things. For example, the materials and the equipment that you use will need to be paid for. You could check out home equity rates if you need a loan to cover these costs. And then think about the potential costs if you make a mistake; this should be factored in too.
Planning Permission and Regulations
Planning permission is key. If you don’t get permission from the local authority to build the extension, then you could find yourself in trouble. They might even forcibly knock down the extension if it doesn’t comply with building regulations. So, get up to speed on permission and building regulations before you go any further. Any mistakes you make could lead to disaster for your extension plans
Designing the Extension
You will need to come up with solid designs for the extension before you go ahead. You can’t simply build it without having a plan to follow each step of the way. You will need to contact an architect to help you do this. They are the only ones who know what they’re doing. So, don’t try to design the plans yourself because that will never end well for you. It’s another example of how going it alone is not entirely possible.
Clearing the Area
When you actually start to get to work, one of the first things you will have to do is clear the area. You need a clear and open space on which to begin your work. This might mean thinking about the access to the home and getting rid of any trees that are currently standing in your way. In itself, this is a big task, and you might not be able to do it alone. For example, if you have to cut down trees, this can be very dangerous and risky. There is a chance that the tree might be cut down incorrectly and fall in the wrong direction. So, it’s best to let a professional do this.
Doing it Safely
Safety should always be your number one priority when you are building an extension to the home. You can’t hope to get the job done properly if it’s not also done safely. Don’t give in to the temptation to take shortcuts and cut corners. That never ends well. You should know what you’re doing before you do it. That’s why making plans and following them is so important. You will also need to make sure that you use the right tools and equipment. Having safety hats and other protective equipment will be vital as well. In truth, getting the job done safely by yourself is almost impossible. You’re going to need at least a couple of other people to work alongside you.
Heating and Electrics
Once the structure of the extension has been built, you’ll need to consider the heating and electrics. These are vital concerns in any habitable area. You’re not going to use the extension properly until it has electricity and heating provisions. It might be a case of simply extending your current heating system. But that’s only possible if your existing system is able to cope with the increased size of the home. An extra electrical circuit will need to be added to provide electricity to the room. Only a trained and professional electrician will be able to do this safely, though.
In the end, there is no way for you to go it alone. There is always going to be a requirement to get help of some sort or another. You can do a lot the work alone. But, as the points above demonstrate, some issues require help from the experts.