News | Bigger Homes

2nd August 201820th August 2021 by Bigger Homes

12 Myths About Property Extensions

Thought you knew it all? Think again!

Many people are put off the idea of extending their property because of the same tired old saws that get trotted out by people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Well, no longer! We’re going to bust a few of the most famous myths about property extensions and explain why there’s nothing stopping you from getting your dream home.

1. It’s expensive

It doesn’t have to be! If you agree a concrete plan with your contractors in advance and know exactly what you want, getting an extension on your property can be managed for a very affordable price.

2. It’ll take ages

Again, this is where it pays to be prepared. Jobs like property extensions only tend to balloon out of control when people are unclear or unsure of what they want to get out of it. In reality, it can be a simple matter of weeks before you have your home looking exactly how you want it.

3. I’ll need planning permission

This puts many people off the idea of an extension, but the reality is that unless you’re planning something seriously big, you very likely don’t need planning permission at all. It always pays to check — your local authority can help you if needed, but there’s a good chance you’re safe to start extending without having to fill in any forms.

4. Planning permission will take ages

If it turns out you do need planning permission, then don’t lose heart — as long as you take time to check all your documentation is in order, you can see your application through in a matter of weeks and get to building.

5. I need to ask the neighbours

In a similar vein, many people assume they need their neighbours’ consent before making any changes to their property. In some cases this is true, but it’s always worth booking a free home consultation, so we can spot any party wall issues.

6. The neighbours will never agree

If it transpires you do need your neighbours’ assent for the build, it’s easy to be afraid that your plans will fall at this hurdle. However, most people are reasonable, and if you provide your neighbour with realistic assessments of how everything will work and how long it’ll take, really they have no reason to turn you down.

7. I’ll have to move out

Building work can be disruptive of course, but there are many steps you can take to minimise this. From building a makeshift temporary kitchen to erecting stud partitions to ward off the dust, there are plenty of ways to stop an extension from disrupting your life and allow you to continue enjoying your home while the work goes on.

8. It’ll completely disrupt my life

Work on your home can be intense, but you’d be surprised how many people who’ve had work done on their house will tell you how easy it was to cope with. Again, planning and preparation will pay dividends.

9. I should only use builders my friends recommend

This is a common sentiment, but in reality it’s not always so simple. You can often find a much better deal by doing your own independent research and comparing the work of builders yourself. Don’t simply assume that someone who was the right fit for a friend is also the right fit for you!

10. People only extend to sell their homes on

It’s best not to think of it this way. If you’re in your forever home and couldn’t dream of going anywhere else, an extension can still be a wonderful thing for you. You might want more space, or find yourself wishing you had a space to entertain friends, or even find yourself facing the prospect of a growing family. Extensions aren’t just about selling — they’re about making homes.

11. I just don’t know where to start

Not everyone is a building maestro! You can set the level of involvement you have with your extension at precisely the level you’re comfortable with, whether you’re competent to draw up plans yourself, or you’re happy to completely leave it in the hands of the pros.

12. I’ll just never get round to it

That’s something we can fix right now! Give us a call and we’ll see what we can do for you.

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25th July 201827th September 2021 by Bigger Homes

Case Studies: Laindon

The area:

It’s always a treat to visit the parish of Laindon, a truly ancient village that can be traced back to the thirteenth century! These days it’s a peaceful but thriving community, where many happy families have made their homes, and are keen to make them better. That’s where we come in!

The brief:

Our clients in Laindon quite simply wanted more space! Their house was at capacity, and they needed not only bigger bedrooms for the kids but also a larger living space where they could spend quality time together once the little ones were tucked up in bed. Having the right amount of space is key to a harmonious family life, and we were only too happy to accommodate in making this family’s dream a reality.

The job:

No one has ever accused us of doing things by halves, and from the start we could see that this job would require some major overhauling of the house. Indeed, a whole new room! We constructed a rear dormer loft conversion to house the brand new master bedroom for Mum and Dad, a peaceful space for them to relax and get a good night’s rest in peace. Doing this meant that the original master bedroom was freed up, and this is turn was available for one of the kids to move into — privacy gets all the more important as they grow up, as any parent will tell you.

Hey, presto! We’d transformed their three-bedroom property into a four-bed, thus bumping up its value on the market. We weren’t done yet though — next on the agenda was a rear extension downstairs, with bi-fold doors that opened fully and gave a lovely sense of space and opened up the living space for the family to enjoy.

The result:

The family were thrilled with the result of the work — a lovely, big open-plan kitchen and dining area that made for a great family space to spend time in. This also freed up the living room for cosy evenings on the sofa together, both for the kids and the parents.

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17th July 201827th September 2021 by Bigger Homes

10 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Home

Is it time you had more space? We list ten ways to tell if your home isn’t suiting your needs any more

1. There’s clutter at every turn

Does it seem like every surface of your home is taken up with stuff? Your desk, your dining table, your floors, your bed, all covered with various bits and bobs that you can’t get rid of but don’t seem to have any place for. If this sounds like your home, then it’s a big red flag that you need more space.

2. You’re constantly tidying up

In a similar vein, there’s always something that needs putting away, isn’t there? Whether it’s that sagging clothes horse, that jumble of shoes or those fancy wine glasses that don’t properly fit in the cupboard, it always seems like there’s something you need to find a space for yet again.

3. You work from bed / the sofa / the kitchen table

Ideally, if you work from home, you should have a dedicated space to do so. It’s better for your mind, health and wellbeing. If you’re constantly finding yourself working from the same space where you eat dinner, watch telly or — god forbid — sleep, then it may be time to admit to yourself that you need more space.

4.More kids than bedrooms

This is a classic. Whether you’ve got little ones sharing a bunkbed or boomeranging uni graduates who are looking to crash, if the kids outnumber the rooms they can sleep in then it’s time to have a serious think about your space.

5. Little personal space

Everyone needs peace and quiet every so often. Are you finding it hard to get yours? Do you find yourself longing for a quiet room where you can read, relax and enjoy a little you-time?n If so, then it’s time to make that room a reality.

6. You don’t want to entertain

This one can sneak up on you. It’s easy to make excuses to yourself for why you don’t want your friends and family to come round — oh it’s always stressful, we don’t want to cook, it’s nicer when we go out — but is the truth simply that you don’t feel your home is up to the task of entertaining your loved ones?

7. Glastonbury toilet queues

Morning bathroom arrangements can be fraught at the best of times. If you’re noticing a Glastonbury-style queue regularly forming outside your house’s one toilet, then you might need to think about easing that burden.

8. Stubbed toes

Ow. Ow, ow, ow. Whether it’s on chairs, the clothes horse, boxes or furniture, always finding yourself stubbing your toes is a surefire sign that you’ve got less space in your home than you need.

9. “Creative” storage

Laundry in the car. Shoes on the dishwasher. Plates in the airing cupboard. Do these kind of makeshift, improvised storage arrangements sound familiar?

10. You’re constantly dreaming of improvements

Following more than a few interior design accounts on Instagram? Constantly updating your Pinterest mood board with items from your dream home? Finding yourself saving Ikea furniture on your lunch break? It’s time to face facts — you need more space to make your home into what you always wanted.

4th July 201827th September 2021 by Bigger Homes

6 Inspiring Ideas for a Property Extension

Have you thought about expanding your home? Here are six great ideas for property extensions to bring your property to life

1. A new bedroom for children

Kids need their space as they grow older, and you’ve got a couple of brothers or sisters sharing a bunk-bed, it’s time to give them the room they need. An extension is the perfect way to provide your kids with an extra bedroom than they can make their own, making life easier and more fun for everyone. Those night-time arguments will be a thing of the past!

2. Open-plan kitchen area

Rather than ferrying steaming plates from the kitchen to the lounge or dining room, you can use your extension to make a luxurious, open-plan kitchen area where your family can gather for cooking and eating. A cramped kitchen makes cooking so much more stressful than it needs to be — with one stroke, you can leave those days behind you, and make your kitchen into a place you want to spend your time in.

3. Opening up the house

Instead of constantly flitting from room to room, why not use your extension to let some light and air back into your house. Make some nice big living spaces, with areas for everyone to do their own thing and spend some quality time together. A living room that opens into a conservatory perhaps, or that extends onto a nice patio or terrace for those lazy summer evenings. Once you’ve done it, you’ll never look back.

4. Games room

Whether you want a space for the kids to play video games and hang out with their friends, or a pool table and fridge for when your mates come over, a games room is the kind of extension that you’ll wonder how you ever got along without. Having a spot dedicated to socialising and having fun is one of the best ways to turn a house into a proper, welcoming home.

5. Master bedroom

Getting good-quality rest is so important to your health and your lifestyle, and it’s high time you got yourself the restful space that you need. A proper master bedroom, with all the space you could ask for, is just the ticket. You’ll be amazed at what a difference it makes to your sleeping habits and how refreshed you feel, and if you can add an extra en-suite bathroom into the mix, you’ll find it really reduces the amount of stress in your house (no more queues for the one bathroom? Yes please!).

6.Home office

As remote working becomes more and more prevalent, you may find yourself with the opportunity to start working from home. If this is the case, then you’ll find that a home office will make a real difference to your productivity and your wellbeing. It’s important to be able to separate your work life from your home life, even if you work from home, and your own home office is the perfect way to do so. We’d recommend an airy room, with plenty of light, that you can really customise and make your own.

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