Do you increase in height or width? That’s the key question when it comes to home extensions. Adding another storey or extending out to a new room? When making such a decision, there are a few different things that you must consider.
Let’s say that you are keen on an extension. You need to consider your budget, land situation, and home situation. Ask yourself the following questions:
When it comes to any home extensions, the most important question is always, what is your budget? Of course, you cannot take on a project that you cannot afford.
Adding a whole extra storey to your home requires a lot of structural work, which is often extremely expensive and sometimes complicated. For example, you essentially need to remove the roof and reinstall it atop the new storey. On average, adding an extra storey to your home costs between $1,800 and $15,000 per square metre. Furthermore, building up costs, on average, around 30% more than building out.
We have all heard of side home extensions on the ground floor of the house, with people often opting to add an extra room to the home. Adding a side extension on the second storey is far more complicated. This essentially involves building out and up, requiring plenty of space and a large budget. It really comes down to your individual situation. Some lots of land lend themselves to great side extensions, while others simply do not have the space, forcing you to build up. While adding a side extension on the second storey is possible, it would require a lot of structural work.
Adding a two-storey home extension can be expensive and tricky, but it also adds plenty of value to your home. The exact value depends on the size and what you design the space for. However, on average, such a build adds between 30% and 60% to your house value. If you are putting in extra bedrooms and bathrooms, you will see a better return on your value. Building up may also retain the value of your garden space.
Formal permission from neighbours is usually only needed when a Development Application (DA) is required. However, it is good practice to keep them onside anyway as the last thing you want is complaints to the local council. If a DA is needed, talk it through with your neighbours and see if you can get their approval.
Permits are needed for home extensions, but the type depends on your individual project. For example, those that are considered to be straightforward, with little impact on the land/surrounding area, complying with the relevant standards usually fall within the Complying Development Certificate. These can be approved without a DA. DA exemptions depend on the state in which you reside, with different councils also having different regulations. However, almost every piece of work requires some form of building permit, the most common one being the DA. Fortunately for you, the builder/architect you are working with (Acura Developments) will likely be familiar with the required permits and application processes. Architects can draw up the relevant plans to submit to the council, while builders can sort out the necessary paperwork. Acura Developments can assist in the entire process
Here is a simple guide to adding a second storey to your home:
While the steps taken may not be as drastic and you may not have to leave your home completely, you should still follow this rough plan when extending your house out:
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