How to Plan a Trouble-free House Extension Renovation in London
If you are a resident of London and are planning a house extension/house renovation, you may just be acting wisely.
It would be a huge understatement if we termed house transactions in London a costly affair. As a bustling metropolis, London is all premium. The lack of affordable plots, and strikingly high relocation costs has made London less generous for those aspiring to start anew. A report by Arcadis states that London is the most expensive city in the world when it comes to building construction.
Let alone affordable plots, to say that there is scarcity of plots in London may not be an exaggeration. As a result, people are resorting to extending /renovating their existing properties instead of purchasing new plots or houses, as they are proving to be cost-effective alternatives.
So, if you are residing in London and are one of those planning to modify or extend your existing property without any hassles, then this article precisely caters to you.
Planning a House Renovation, London
Now that there is a clear understanding of what lies before us and what we intend to achieve, let’s look at the ways to plan a house renovation, London. 
Steph Fanizza, Architectural Design & Team Manager
Tell us about your plan and we'll send you a free quote! It takes less than 60 seconds!
Get an Assessment
To begin with, you have to precisely know what you want. With inflation seeping in, the construction industry is susceptible to a direct rise in material costs, and in addition the juggernauting fuel costs has crippled the contractor’s budget. Affording the cost of labour, materials, planning permission, or hiring a surveyor or an architect is by no means a piece of cake. A study by plumplot reveals that the average price of a house in London costs about £7000 per sq metre, whereas a newly built property could cost you an extortionate £11,300 per sq metre. In other parts of the UK, the average range is between £1,200 – £4000 per sq metre.
So, be highly considerate of factors such as budget. Sort them out by hiring a professional architect and make sure everything comes within your stipulated expense. Be conscious of your current lifestyle and be sure of the lifestyle you desire. Everything counts; from the type of aesthetics you choose, to the materials you use.
Identify Extension Areas
Next up, it is important to identify the areas for extension. Will an exterior rear extension offer more space? If so, shall I plan a kitchen extension? or shall I plan a porch extension as a storage space? Would a loft conversion make good use of the attic? There is a plethora of them, and we know you will be bombarded with such.
In the end, you cannot choose everything. Rules and budget in London make it a lot tighter to the extent where you may end up drawing boundaries to your ideas. So, make the best use of your ideas by consulting a professional. They will not only save you good money, but also help you realize the best manifestation of your ideas.
Regulations and Permissions
But before you plan your extension desires, you must be aware that London is not your average lenient place. House extensions in London are governed by stringent regulations and laws as they help in maintaining the architectural sanctity and trueness of the city’s tapestry. Planning permission rules should be your handbook. Although it is challenging to take them all into on your fingertips, you should at least be wary of seeking expert advice so that you do not violate.
Building regulations can be unmistakably sharp when it comes to ensuring safety standards in London. For example, there are regulations which bind you to use quality materials especially when you are extending or renovating. Make sure you incorporate solid woodwork, and it doesn’t deteriorate in the long run. To ensure this, you need to make sure the materials you are using adheres to the safety and quality standards.
If your house is in a conservation area or is a listed property, you may require planning permission for your extension. You may in addition require an (LBC) Listed Building Consent too. You may not want to take this lightly, as flouting an LBC consent may lead to bold repercussions including demolition of your extension, hefty fines or even a jail term. It’s always better to seek professional help and guidance. At Extension Architecture, we are immensely experienced in ensuring approvals for extensions and conversions in conservation areas. Let us know if you are facing one such conundrum.
Hope you are well aware of The Party Wall Act and the surrounding safety regulations in case you are planning for an extension up to your neighbour’s boundary.
Understanding the standing regulations, permission rules and other legislative obligations is crucial for a hassle-free construction process to avoid legal obligations and hefty penalties.
Estimate the Costs
As you may be aware, London currently tops any metropolis across the world when it comes to rising construction cost. The average single storey extension cost in London would range from £3,200 – £4,800 per sq metre. Whereas the cost for a double storey extension would range from £2,000 – £4,000 per sq metre. It is important that you consult a qualified architect experienced in residential projects to provide you with an approximation of the expenses that may incur.
For this to materialise, you need to talk with professionals and share your desires & ideas. Get the drawings prepared in detail. Detailed drawings that include elaboration on materials, labour and measures of each part of the extension will help in getting an understanding of the extent of the work to be done. Through this, the builder or architect will be able to provide you with a near-to-accurate estimate of the project cost. Remember that without detailed drawings, it is almost impossible to get a probable estimate.
Work out the Details
Be considerate of the restrictions when planning an extension in a certain area of your house. Hiring seasoned and expert professional architects such as us will be more convenient to avail non-obligatory, seamless and efficient extension solutions. Below are some of the popular house renovation ideas for your reference.
1. One of the most popular house extensions are the two-storey extensions with the typicality of an extended garage and a kitchen on the ground floor. Another regular addition is the inclusion of a master bedroom with an ensuite or an office space on the first floor.
2. If your house is a semi, then double storey extensions are ideal as side returns and wrap-around extensions. Detached property owners need not worry whether they’re planning for floor constructions or extensions as it seldom disturbs the neighbour.
3. In case you are planning to add a first floor to your detached or a semi, you may not have any restrictions. But, if your property is a terraced one, you may be objected to by the planning commission for obstructing your neighbour’s “right to light”. In such cases think of alternatives such as opting for loft extensions, which will also provide you with ample space for a bedroom.
These are the many details you can work through while planning house extensions. Always be aware of the rules and the laws. For detailed information on the rules for extensions that apply in 2024, refer here.
Conclusion:
Planning a house renovation, London can be excruciating if you are less knowledgeable of the binding legislation. To make sure your plan echoes efficacy and architectural aestheticism in every sense, it is always advised to seek guidance from professionals who are experienced with high expertise. They not only help by making the most of your investment, in addition they may just provide you with what the doctor ordered.
Be it a bespoke or a typically popular idea, at Extension Architecture we are experts in delivering to any duel. Being based out of London, not only do we understand the orderliness of London’s tapestry, but we also immerse ourselves into the design of its brimming aura tailoring to its toast. If you are in search of any architectural expertise or just want your doubts cleared over any of the construction predicaments, feel free to contact us or reach us out at our address.
