RENOVATION

1 EXTEND YOUR KITCHEN

‘Think of a kitchen extension as increasing quality not quantity, by adding the things the existing room is missing, such as natural light, ceiling height, an interesting view, access to the garden and so on,’ says Howard Miller of H Miller Bros. ‘You can transform an existing room by adding just three square metres if that space has a nice tall ceiling with a skylight, a big picture window or a beautiful view through a set of doors to the garden.’

2 CREATE A SMART NEW PORCH

If your front door opens directly onto the living room, or you have a small hallway, a porch is a great addition to your home. Expect it to cost from around £2,000 to build, depending on requirements. Make sure it’s in proportion – it shouldn’t be higher than 3m at the highest point and the ground area measured externally should not exceed 3sq m, but it should be no smaller than 2sq m to make it worthwhile. It must also be over 2m from the road or boundary. You generally don’t need planning permission for a porch.

3 FINDING A BUILDER

Once your plans have the green light to go ahead, you can put your project out to tender. Try to source quotes from at least three contractors – going by word of mouth is often a smart way to find a reliable firm. Alternatively, if you’re working with an architect, they might be able to recommend a company. Always ask to see examples of past projects or talk to the firm’s previous clients before making your decision. Once your contractor is on board, the build can begin. Depending on complexity and size, construction will usually take three to six months. Use this time to source materials and products for the internal fit-out – remember that many kitchen suites, glazing and bespoke joinery can come with a significant lead time, so make sure you factor this in, too.

4 BUILDING UP OR OUT – WHAT’S CHEAPER?

It really all depends on the finish you choose but usually you’ll save significantly more by installing a conservatory instead of building an extension. Conservatories are usually priced depending on the size and style you require, while extension costs are normally priced per square metre.

However, a builder’s estimate for the cost of an extension is really only a ballpark figure. There are many different factors which can crop up during the building process – such as drainage or foundation issues, which may require additional work. It’s also worth noting that building an extension usually adds more value to your home than a conservatory.

5 TRY MIXING LOFT CONVERSION STYLES

This converted bungalow has been sympathetic to the single-storey nature of the original structure, by using the loft space to add another floor without changing the exterior too much. Skylight loft conversions are the easiest loft design to undertake, because they don’t alter the roof structure. ‘Space, however, is more restrictive than other types of conversions,’ warns Rob Wood, director of Simply Loft.

That’s why here, to maximise the scale of space, the owner has also incorporated elements of a dormer loft conversion. This allows for a more generous head height in different areas, such as