As your family grows and expands, it’s all too easy to find that your living
space no longer works for you. And if you don’t want to uproot the kids by
moving to another area, it’s likely that your choices for extending your
property are limited by the amount of land you have available.
Therefore, it’s no wonder that an
increasing number of homeowners are choosing to extend their homes with first
and second floor additions Sydney wide.
With careful planning and budgeting, it’s
possible to extend your living areas and give you the extra space you need.
However, before choosing this option, there are several things to bear in mind.
Put
together a plan
All successful renovations begin with a
thorough plan. Whether you’re planning first floor additions in Sydney or second floor additions in Northern Beaches,
putting together an in-depth plan will help your building work to go more
smoothly and help you to stick to your budget.
Extending your home upwards offers many
benefits, such as preserving your outdoor
space and increasing the value of your property;
however, it needs to be done correctly.
Be
realistic and stick to your budget
When planning, it’s all too easy to get
carried away by the thought of new kitchens or bathrooms, expensive lighting or
gadgets. And that’s why it’s essential that you come up with a budget that you
can afford – and stick to it. If you can afford everything you want, all well
and good, but be prepared to compromise on some of the things on your wish
list.
Set
aside a contingency fund
Having a contingency fund will take care of
unexpected purchases or bills that may arise. Some aspects of the building work
may prove costlier than first anticipated, especially if you’re renovating an
older property. And, if you don’t need the contingency fund, you may be able to
have something off your wish list that you couldn’t otherwise afford.
Don’t
over-spec your property
Unless you see this property as your
forever home, don’t go mad and add in all kinds of expensive fixtures and
fittings. It makes sense to research the value of similar properties in the
area, so that, should you wish to sell at some point in the future, it’s not
going to overpriced.
Get
recommendations
Adding a new floor is a job for the
professionals, and you’ll want to know
that the construction company you choose is experienced in building first floor additions in Northern Beaches and other Sydney suburbs. One way to do this is by asking for
recommendations from anyone in the area who has had similar work done.
Ask them about how the contractor tackled
the project; whether they finished on time, how clean and tidy they were, and
question their reliability and ability to stick to the agreed budget. It will
pay dividends in the long run.
Quotes,
credentials and contracts
You may prefer to get quotes from several
builders or just from one. However, even if your building contractor does come
with recommendations, it’s always wise to check their credentials and make sure
that they have the correct licences and insurances in place. And never let them
start work without a written contract in place that details everything about
the project from scheduling and materials to payments and contingencies.
By taking a few precautions, you’re more
likely to have a positive experience and end up with an extension that meets or
even surpasses your expectations.
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