A bungalow is a great option when looking to add extra space and also increase the resale value of a property. This is why the ideal of extending a bungalow always looks so so appealing to homeowners.
A bungalow extension can increase your overall property value, which makes it a great investment. However, if it is a low-level structure, all extensions must be sympathetic to the original design. Modern technology has made it possible for builders to transform your bungalow in any way you might desire. You won’t even have to leave your home while the extension is being built in certain cases.
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What to Consider when it comes to extending your bungalow
Bungalows are not so easy to extend when compared with two-story homes. Before you decide to move forward with a challenging home extension project, you must ask yourself several important questions. For instance: how are you planning to extend the new roofline, and how do you introduce natural light to existing rooms in a newly extended bungalow.
Furthermore, you will need to consider the impact of the additional space floor space on the existing structure of the property and the overall massing of the house.
Even though all these issues might discourage you, you can easily overcome them with proper equipment and planning. More precisely:
Up or Out – Will you choose to extend up into the attic, build a new upper-floor or make use of exterior space with an external extension?
Budget – How much money do you have available for the project?
Utilities – Do you intend to connect the new room up to the home’s water, gas, and/or electricity supplies?
Planning Permission – Are you even allowed to go about an extension in the first place, and do you have planning permission?
Property Values – What kind of extension would add the most value to your property as a whole?
Bungalow extension type
One of the most popular and accessible ways of extending a bungalow is to organize a professional loft conversion. This transforms a rather dusty and uninspiring storage area into an exceptional living space for any purpose. The bonus of loft conversion is the minimal or no structural changes or additions, which reduces the cost.
However, if looking to go about a full-scale extension, it’s a case of deciding whether you’d like to add an extra room or living space onto the property or simply make an existing living space or spaces larger.
In the former of the two, the extension takes the form of an externally built room that’s then connected to the adjoining room by a simple door. In essence, it can be a bit like building a conservatory on the side or back of the home rather than extending the home in a traditional sense.
On the other hand, traditional extensions involve increasing the size of the property by building something of an annex that becomes a fully integrated part of the home, as opposed to a simple connected room. Needless to say, the demolition and construction demands of this type of extension can be much more severe, as too can the costs.
Ideas for bungalow extensions
A bungalow loft conversion is generally the quickest and least expensive way of extending a bungalow. The best bungalows come with abundant attic space, providing enough space for a large bedroom with an en suite bathroom. You should, however, remember that you can discourage potential buyers if the bedroom is situated upstairs.
Popular home improvement websites will give you the best bungalow extension ideas. Various types of designs for bungalow extension exist depending on whether you wish to extend outwards or upwards:
Extending upwards
For upward bungalow extensions, two major constructional factors will affect the possibility of your home extension. The first one is the height of the roof. If your attic is too low, you have the following options:
- to lift the entire roof
- use the space for storage
- a children’s play area.
The second factor has to do with strengthening the beams. This will be necessary when you need a loft space upstairs. In addition, upward extensions might require the evacuation of your home in cases of a roof lift or when the beams are being installed around the house.
Bungalow loft conversion bathroom addition
If you want your bungalow loft conversion to include a bathroom, you’ll need to hire a professional plumber and ensure that you adhere to any building regulations (regarding sanitation and drainage). This includes :
- Ensure that you have a supply of hot and cold water and that waste pipes meet set standards.
- If your boiler can’t cope with the extra heating and hot water demands.
A qualified plumber will be up-to-date with the latest building regulations and will make sure your bungalow conversion meets legal guidelines.
Extending outwards
It is a great thought to extend your bungalow outwards if you have a significantly large plot. However, this would require a greater investment and more time. Those who are extending outwards have a scope of adding more than a single room. Your exterior bungalow extensions can include:
- A living room,
- an extra kitchen,
- extra bedrooms,
- storage space,
- a garage,
- study room or
- a new conservatory.
who can usually do outward extensions without disrupting your family since who will only do the break into your home once the extra rooms have been completed?
Bungalow extension designs
If you have decided to extend your bungalow and looking for design inspirations, then you should pay attention to the following:
- You can view all manner of bungalow extension plans online, but it’s best to talk to your architect about exactly what you want and how much you can afford to spend.
- Professional house extension companies are capable of drawing plans that will meet all your requirements.
- Bungalow extension designs have to be approved in most countries which is why it is best to find an accredited architect or house extension company.
- An accredited organization will also be able to inform you of the best bungalow extension plans for your home, so you don’t end up damaging your home’s structure when the extension is done.
- You should provide your designer with all your bungalow conversion ideas so they can draw up a plan that suits you and your family.
Building extension permitted development.
Extensions are developments that are permitted, provided that one meets the conditions set by the planning department. For all kinds of house extensions, you must still obtain building regulation approval. For instance, the following projects will require building regulation approval:
- New chimneys
- Installing fresh heating appliances
- Installing showers and baths that involve waste or drainage plumbing
- Loft conversions- alterations of internal structures like removal of load-bearing wall, etc.
- House extensions like for bathroom or kitchen.
Read the building extension regulations here.
Commission a structural survey
Some bungalows won’t have been built to support a second floor and so will need to be underpinned to ensure the structural safety of the bungalow loft conversion. You’ll also need to have at least 2.3 meters in height in your loft to be able to convert it. To make sure your loft is structurally sound and suitable for a loft conversion, hire a professional to conduct a structural survey.
What is the cost of a bungalow extension?
Extending a bungalow will cost you approximately £1,200 – £1500 per square meter for building work alone. For higher specification finishes, expect to pay £3,000 per square meter.
If you are considering adding bi-fold doors, allow £1,400 – £1,800 per meter for these too.
The cost also depends on the size of the extension, the quality of the materials, and how easy it is to lay the foundations. Also, keep in mind that small extensions (15-20 m2) tend to cost more per square meter.
When you consider the cost of bungalow extensions, you should also include the cost of your planners and the approval costs that could affect your budget greatly. Make sure you plan everything carefully and try to reduce the cost of internal finishes if you want to compromise on internal finishes.
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