Adding an extension on to an existing property is a popular choice for many Australian home-owners. Extensions fulfil the need for more living space, without the inconvenience of selling your property and buying something new. It also a great way to increase the capital in your home, and can add tens of thousands of dollars of value if done well.
The key to increasing the value of your home is not over capitalising on your extension. Here are two ways you can save big money on the cost of extending without compromising on quality or space.
1. Use a residential drafting service
You may think you'll need to use an architecture firm to design your extension, but unless you're planning something truly elaborate or ground breaking, a residential drafting service, like that offered by companies like Stylewise Designs, is a better option. For a simple home extension which blends into the existing home's façade, a simple set of plans for building approval and use by contractors will be sufficient.
One of the biggest differences between architects and a drafting service is their bill. Architects are tertiary educated, licensed, and registered professional, and these qualifications generally come with a hefty price tag.
A draftsperson may or may not have formal qualifications, however they do need to comply any local, state, or federal building regulations that apply to your extension. A drafting service doesn't supply the same all-encompassing service that an architect does, and their bill will reflect this. However, they will support you in getting your plans through council approval.
2. Manage the project yourself
For any building project to run smoothly, efficiently, and cost-effectively, it needs a project manager. Project managers are responsible for order materials, hiring contractors, and co-ordinating the contractors on site.
Taking over this responsibility yourself, instead of paying someone else to do it, will potentially save you thousands in labour costs. You'll also save a considerable amount of money by eliminating the 'builder's margin', which is the mark-up added to material and labour costs to make a project profitable for the project manager.
Extensions are relatively easy to manage yourself, even if you have no prior experience in the area. Compared to building an entire home, an extension is a small project, and because the project is taking place within your own property, you're ideally situated to deal with deliveries, design decisions, and questions from the contractors with ease.
A successful home extension is dependent on getting the right amount of space for the right price. By following the above tips, you'll be well positioned to make these goals a reality.
Share22 September 2016
The kitchen is the most used room in my home, and in the past, I found it could get messy and chaotic very quickly. Trying to cook dinner when you can't find an essential appliance or see past the clutter on the counter is no fun. I realised I enjoyed my time in the kitchen more and was more productive when my kitchen was organised and laid out in a way that optimised functionality. I changed my kitchen cleaning and organising routine, decluttered, got rid of appliances I don't use and moved things around to ensure frequently used items were easy to reach. I started this blog to share my tips for creating a kitchen that's enjoyable to use, and I post about ways you can optimise the space you have. I hope you find my posts useful.
