A nice picture of a kitchen extension can sell a renovation quickly. Knock through a wall, fit some patio doors, choose your materials and live the dream.
You’ll soon receive the costs, though.
Your kitchen may require structural steel, drainage, larger windows and more electrics. Good renovation cost planning means looking beyond how the space will look and pricing the work required.
What You’ll Learn:
- Start With The Problems You Want To Solve
- Open Plan Living May Require Structural Work
- How Large Windows Can Increase The Price Of A Build
- Thinking About Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Your Property
- Translating Your House Design Concept Into Actual Build Costs
- Final Thoughts
Start With The Problems You Want To Solve
Take the time to work out what isn’t working about your current space before looking at house design ideas. Maybe the kitchen is too small, there is no room for you to work at home, or the house flow is poor due to small hallways.
These are important considerations to know about your current property before deciding on house design concepts. If your family would benefit from more cupboard space, adding built-in cupboards could solve this issue, instead of paying for an expensive back extension.
First, work out what you want to spend on the renovation project. Then break down your issues into three categories: things that need to be fixed, improvements that will help day-to-day, and luxuries you want to have.
Every house design concept you come up with should help resolve one of these issues.
Work out what building work is required to fix these issues. You may find it useful to consult an architect who can design your new space; remember to inform them of your budget when giving your brief. According to the Architects Registration Board, you should provide your architect with a brief and sign a contract detailing their scope of work, duties and fees.
Once you know what jobs need to be done, you can use MyJobQuote UK to get quotes from builders in your area. Ensure you send them the same scope of work; otherwise, a low quote may not be including everything you require done.
Open Plan Living May Require Structural Work
As mentioned above, open plan living allows more room to move around and can increase the amount of natural light that gets into a space. However, knocking through walls can be more complicated than expected.
If the wall you’re removing is a load-bearing wall, you may need to install a steel beam with adequate support on both ends. There could be existing pipes, wires, or radiators running through the wall that need to be relocated. The floor and ceiling may need to be repaired once you’ve completed the build.
House design can be costly; one small tweak can significantly impact your budget.
Would you be happy with a doorway knock-through? You may still need structural support, but it can give you another idea to price. Perhaps you don’t need to knock anything through; new patio doors or a light fitting could achieve what you need from your current space.
Open plan living can be a great addition to your house, just be aware of the build work it may require. Speak to an engineer if required and ensure the beam, moving of existing services, and repairs are included in your quote.
How Large Windows Can Increase The Price Of A Build
Installing large patio doors or skylights can let more light into a darker room; however, they can affect your home temperature in the summer months and the price of your renovation.
The material, glazing, and dimensions of the window/door all play a role. Larger windows may require additional structural support; having non-standard-sized windows can limit what options you have, and it’s important to consider installation space when choosing a product.
As well as increasing the build price, it may make the room uncomfortable in hot weather. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has warned about overheating in homes with excessive amounts of glass. So although you may love the idea of having large windows, it could become uncomfortable for your household to live in your home during the summer months.
Consider sun direction, air ventilation, windows that can be opened and shading when discussing house design with your architect. It may be beneficial to have less glass but placed in a favourable position to let light in during certain times of the day.
Don’t forget to factor shading into your budget, if your windows receive direct sunlight you may need external shading to cool your room down.
Thinking About Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Your Property
Many homeowners will want to make their property more energy efficient, particularly if you are changing walls, roofing and heating systems as part of your renovation project. However, improving your home’s energy rating requires careful consideration.
The English Housing Survey estimated a mean modelled cost of £7,480 per dwelling for eligible homes in England rated D or below to reach at least band C, using 2024 housing data.
Depending on the age of your home, different improvements may be required. Historic England suggests considering the entire property, including it’s condition, construction and ventilation, when thinking about retrofits for old properties.
For example, if you want to insulate a room, you may need to look at airflow and ventilation to avoid mould and condensation forming. Adding new heating systems can also effect radiators, pipework, controls and space available for the new system.
Try to work out your energy efficiency improvements before your renovation project begins, this will allow you to plan them all together.
Translating Your House Design Concept Into Actual Build Costs
You’ve sketched out your ideal home, now you need to understand the cost of making this happen.
This is where you want to get your quotes, ensure that all of your desired finishes, materials and tasks are included in the quotes you receive. It’s common for quotes to differ, as builders may use different materials or have allowances built in.
Below are some examples to consider when receiving your quotes:
- Building work, moving walls, relocating pipes, electrics and radiators
- Materials, windows, doors, tiling, worktop, custom made units etc
- Surveys, architects, engineers, building regs, planning
- Builders, removing debris, accessing the site, plastering, decorating, VAT
As stated before, some home extensions may be classed as permitted development, but you will still need to check with building regulations. You may need to apply for planning permission; remember that this is different from building regs. If you’re located in another part of the UK, the rules will vary, so check what applies to your property.
Ensure that any allowances are explained by your builder; they may not have priced certain items in their quote. If your choice costs more, you will need to cover this difference yourself.
Allow yourself a contingency budget for unexpected issues; you may come across something behind your walls that wasn’t shown on your quotes. Use this money for unexpected costs, not to fund your latest design concept.
Make sure you’re making decisions in the right order: work out what your room will look like, then price out your plumbing, electrics and radiators, then select your finishing touches. It’s easier to change the position of a plug on paper, rather than once your wall has been plastered.
If you feel the quotes are too expensive, ask for alternatives to be quoted. Using standard-sized windows, reducing the number of roof lights or changing your kitchen design can reduce costs. Don’t remove any essential build work just to add a fancy design element to your house.
Make sure you agree on how any changes to the quote will be communicated during your build; this will save you any unwanted surprises.
Final Thoughts
Using house design concepts can help you create your ideal home, but just be mindful of the build work you may need to complete. By following the tips above, you’ll be able to budget for your renovation with confidence.