double garage

 by Bigger Homes

Why the trend of extensions and loft conversions is BOOMING in Essex and Hertfordshire

Extending living spaces. Adding new rooms. Converting cramped old lofts into wonderful, sunlit attic rooms. There’s no doubt about it – the trend of extensions and of conversions is booming in Essex and Hertfordshire. More and more people are getting planning permission to turn their home into the dream space they always wanted — but why is this? Let’s take a look.

Moving house is getting more expensive

 

There are dozens of unexpected hidden costs involved in moving house that are just waiting to leap up and bite you. From legal fees to mortgage broker fees to the simple cost of getting all your possessions boxed up and in a van, moving house is a virtual minefield of ways to unexpectedly empty your wallet. And this is without even going into the uncertainty of the housing market and how changeable it can be. Many people believe home extensions are expensive but compared to the cost of moving house they’re a much smarter investment. We explain all in our blog 12 Myths About Property conversions

 

Finding the time

 

We’re all busier and busier these days, and moving home is a time-consuming activity before you’ve even found a house that you want to live in. With this in mind, it’s not hard to see why many people are opting to take on the comparatively easier task of remaking their current home rather than finding a new one.

 

Boost the home’s value

 

Even for those who have their heart set on moving, it still makes sense to extend. Home improvements and extensions are time-honoured way of increasing your house’s value, and if you’re nervous about putting it on the market, making it into a nicer place can assuage your fears. Be careful though — you might end up liking the new, improved home so much that you end up wanting to stay put!

 

Home improvements are getting more creative

 

Architects and designers have been coming into their own with home improvements in recent years, and there have been some amazingly inspiring projects that have completely transformed the clients’ homes. No more are builders simply sticking a boxy extra room onto a Victorian-style cottage — now you can dream up glass kitchen/diner rooms, chic loft-based living spaces, glazed walkways to connect outbuildings and more, and talented builders can make them happen! There’s never been a better time for home improvement creativity. Read our blog on 7 Smartest Ways to Spend Your Money as a Homeowner For some fresh ideas! 

We love our area… and our homes!

 

And there’s no shame in that. People grow to like where they live — they find friends, hobbies, and good schools for the kids. Uprooting your entire life to move a few miles down the road feels like a needless chore, and yet you can’t imagine living anywhere further than a few miles down the road.

 

What’s the solution? Extend, extend, extend! Bring the dream home to you and turn your existing property into the happy home you’ve always wanted. Not sure where to start? Give us a call today and tell us about your ideas — we’re betting we can turn them into reality.

 

 

 

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 by Bigger Homes

What Planning Permission Do I Need for a Garage Extension?

Extending or converting a garage is a popular home improvement project. However, if this is one of the plans on your to-do list, you might be concerned about whether you need planning permission for it. In this blog we’ll look at this subject in a little more detail.

First, the good news. If you’re enlarging your garage but planning to continue to use it for the same purpose (i.e. as a garage) then you very likely don’t need planning permission to do so. The general rules are that as long as your garage is less than 15 square metres (if freestanding) or 30 square metres (if attached to the house), then you should be good to go (although we always ensure we obtain a certificate of lawfulness on your behalf)

However, converting a pre-existing garage into a habitable living space means there are a few criteria you’ll need to ensure you satisfy under Building Regulations. There are several categories of regulations that will likely apply to your proposed garage conversion.

Let’s take a look at these categories in more detail:

Doors and windows

Your garage extension and conversion will need to have doors and windows that are adequately insulated to avoid heat loss. If any panes of glass are particularly close to doors or the floor, they may also need safety glazing (the Planning Portal has a good rundown of the exact numbers). The size of the room will also affect how much ventilation is required, and this may change if you’re converting your garage into a room that produces a lot of steam, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Drainage

You’ll need to think about above-ground drainage,  and if you’re planning to connect significant plumbing to your garage extension then there’s also the matter of connecting it with the underground drainage run/local sewer network.

Electrics

Any new electrics you plan to install in your garage conversion will need to be inspected and certified by someone who is part of an approved certification scheme.

Walls

If you’re making significant changes to the external or internal walls of your garage, then there are plenty of regulations you may need to take into account. There needs to be adequate separation between the new habitable space and the remaining space, and there may also be sound insulation issues to consider. If you’re removing a wall, you need to be sure this can be done safely and structurally.

Roofs

This will depend on the extent of the work — if you’re altering less than 25% of the roof area then you are likely fine. However, any major alterations to a roof’s structure, height or appearance will likely mean you need to seek permission from the authorities.

What to do?

And lastly, some more good news. If you’re planning on extending and converting your garage and are worried about planning permission, the best thing you can do is involve a reputable, professional company in your plans as early as possible. Why not give us a call today and tell us about your project!

 

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 by Bigger Homes

How to Solve the Problems with Garage Extensions

Thinking of extending or converting your garage? Great idea! Many home garages are less than efficient uses of space, and can be converted to much greater uses to really transform your home. It’s important, however, that the conversion is done correctly and certain common pitfalls are avoided. These include…

 

  1. Not paying attention to building regulations

 

This is where it pays dividends to have a reputable company taking charge of your extension. Your new garage will need to comply to many different types of building regulation, including energy efficiency, sound insulation, heat insulation and more. Don’t be the homeowner who charges in without thinking about these things — talk to us about your plans and we’ll make sure they’re in keeping with regulations.

 

  1. Not planning utilities early

 

You may have the look and feel of your garage conversion planned out in your head, but have you thought about electricity supply? Water supply? Heating? These things need to be planned out well in advance, before any building starts, and your best bet is to get a professional assessment of how best to supply your garage conversion with everything it needs.

 

  1. Not considering foundations and structure

 

Your garage walls and foundations may not be equipped to support your grand plans, and this is something you absolutely need to know before you start. It’s best to get a professional builder or architect’s verdict on your proposed plans. They can inspect your garage in person and verify exactly what needs to be done to make it safe for your dream conversion.

 

  1. Not taking existing features into consideration

 

Many garages are used to house necessary but unsightly home appliances, such as a boiler. When you planned your conversion, did you take this into account? Do you plan to move the boiler, or work around it? A professional can help advise you what would be most cost-effective and least disruptive, and how you can get that dream conversion without compromising on the safety and effectiveness of your appliances.

 

  1. Not using the space to its full potential

 

Here’s a question you may not have thought to ask yourself — am I dreaming big enough? Have you thought that your garage may be tall enough to handle a split level with raised areas? Could you get even more natural light in there with some extra windows? Would glass doors leading to an outside recreational area make the room into a relaxing space all year round?

 

It’s your conversion — don’t be afraid to get exactly what you want! Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help.

 

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 by Bigger Homes

Case Studies: Hockley

 

The area

After a client got in touch, we headed to Hockley. A picturesque little Essex village, it’s always a pleasure to visit.

 

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The brief

For this job, we had two main challenges. First, the customer wanted more living space to relax and spend their evenings in, whether that was watching TV as a family or entertaining when friends came over. The current living room was simply too small for their purposes.

Second, the family had previously converted their garage, and this meant they needed somewhere new to park their cars. It needed space for multiple vehicles, to be accessible of course, and if it could fit in a little extra storage space then that certainly would be no bad thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The job

First order of business: the living room. The family needed a more open, accommodating space to watch TV, relax and spend time together. We extended the room to create more space, and made sure to include a large window to let in plenty of natural light. The result was a pleasant, open-feeling space that the family would enjoy spending time  in.              

 

 

The car space was a larger task. With the original garage out of action, we built a brand new double garage from scratch, providing ample space where the family could park their cars. Of course, a garage is no good if you can’t get to it, so we had to extend the driveway to ensure the garage was accessible. An extra challenge was present in the form of a great oak tree, a venerable specimen with a preservation order around it. We couldn’t disturb the old man (nor would we want to!), so we protected him throughout the build, and constructed the entrance to fit around him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The result

Success! The customers were happy — a great new living space for the family to enjoy, as well as a spacious double garage where they could keep not only their cars but also a few odds and ends that would make their house feel less cluttered. And all this done without disturbing the historic old oak that gave their property so much character. Mission accomplished — time to move on to the next job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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