More and more of people are, for the foreseeable future that is, faced with staying in their current home – there are now so many factors stopping folks from moving house. The first big question householders need to ask is whether they are able to undertake any work on an extension themselves – perhaps with structural work done by a building contractor, double glazing window installations done by a professional installer and all other done in-house as it were. If people are good at DIY this is often a way to improve their home at lowest cost.
The second is to very carefully consider what is going to benefit themselves and their house value the most. Adding an extension entirely out of keeping with the style of the house may affect how future buyers may perceive it. Adding such an expensive extension that puts the future price of the house more than, say, £25,000 more than similar other houses in the area is a dodgy investment. Many people go for a loft extension which is often quoted as the most valuable added-value building work that you can do which is almost always true and if you need the extra space for your growing family and you can afford it – go for it!
You need to weigh up before the final decision what your loft extension could look like when its finished. If it just ends up as a little poky dark bedroom at the top of impossibly steep stairs nobody will value it-least of all your family-and certainly not Grannie when she comes to stay with you! The best thing to do is to take some professional advice, about the feasibility and then have some plans drawn up. You can then choose a building option that suits you and your DIY skills.