Between an increased cost of living, materials shortages, and rising production costs it’s important we acknowledge the financial changes to the renovation and building industry. Getting the most from your property on a budget can be incredibly beneficial but may seem daunting in this climate so we’re going to highlight some helpful tips for planning a project.

There isn’t a one size fits approach all when it comes to extending your home. Your requirements combined with the existing property and the restrictions it may be bound to means google won’t be able to give you an exact figure for your extension or refurbishment cost. Our process always starts with a consultation, we take the time to understand your project specifications and provide a free detailed quotation following that. We can help with build estimates too. Our process offers unlimited drawing amendments so you can experiment with different proposals and the cost implications of those different options, however it’s important to remember that builders are only able to give a final contract figure after the detailed drawings have been produced. We would always encourage you to be open about your financial expectations as we can offer transparent and tailored advice. If you head over to our fabulous past projects page, you’ll see we detail the specifics including budget.

• Plan for planning

There are cases in which works can be carried out under permitted development and a full planning application for will not be required, this will be subject to a range of criteria relating to size, height, materials, orientation, and the location of the property itself. Permitted development applications still require a planning set and an application to be submitted, so from a cost and time perspective they don’t change much. It can be tempting to bypass the planning stage and head straight into building however it can be a costly mistake as planning is not always retrospectively granted and you may be served a notice to revert the work done or face prosecution. It’s important to note that planning permission is valid for three years once granted, the project needs to be started but does not have to be completed in this timeframe. As for securing the permission – Home Tales has a 99% success rate.

• Expect the unexpected

From paperwork to groundwork, it’s important to be aware of the less obvious costs that may pop up on your home extension journey. We will make you aware of requirements from a party wall surveyor (what’s that? learn more here) to appointing building control and making notifications to Thames Water.

So where can I save money? This is a multifaceted question.

One of the best ways to save money is to plan ahead. Here at Home Tales we offer unlimited amendments prior to planning. This enables you experiment with your design options and to feel confident in your design. Changing your mind on-site is one of the most inefficient ways to add cost to your build. It can cause issues in planning, party wall and your builder will charge variation orders to adjust the schedule. Having a solid design that you commit to from the outset is a great way to avoid additional costs.

It is also helpful to think of long-term cost reduction including energy saving insulation and eco friendly adjustments you could find help tackle the rising cost of gas and electricity. Speak to our team about reusing and recycling where possible, salvaged materials can be cheaper whilst reducing waste lowers the spend on skips and removals. For example – we recently uncovered some incredible reclaimed wooden floorboards on our project in SW18. We sanded them down and varnished them, saving our client thousands as they didn’t need to replace the floor (material and labour cost saved).

Adding space to a property can be a fantastic way to add value, it can also be crucial in transforming a home into a more practical living space in a time of housing uncertainty. We understand financial hesitance and our friendly team are always willing to have those honest conversations about project feasibility.

 This month we’re offering a completely free upgrade to a consultation plus with any booking made in August, this will give you all the attentiveness of a standard consult but with more in-depth discussion into all the ins and outs of your project. To get booked in, head over to our live diary and quote ‘AUG22’ in the booking notes. Alternatively reach us by phone on 02070432378 or via email at hello@hometales.co.uk.