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Our homes can be perfect when we first buy them, but after a while, they can start to feel cramped and small. Especially if the number of occupants has increased over the years. This might make you think that you need to move to a bigger house in order to meet your evolved needs. However, this isn’t the case and a simple wrap around extension can work wonders. So, if you’re interested in making your home bigger, keep reading and discover everything you need to know about wrap around extensions.
In This Post:
What Does A Wrap Around Extension Look Like?
A wrap around extension is a type of extension that combines both a side and rear extension to create a larger version of the two. They normally form an L shape around your home, encompassing half of the ground floor. Size wise, they can be anywhere between 15 and 60 square metres, and you can even have them reach up to the first floor too. This can create so much more space and enables you to really utilise your garden area in a more functional way too. If you go for a single height one, the design can pretty much be completely up to you. You might like a glass roof to create a “sun trap” that you can sit in all throughout the year.
Alternatively, you might like a fully covered roof just like the rest of your home to ensure that it blends in seamlessly. The windows can also be as big as you like too. Some people like to go for huge glass double doors that act as both the entrance and the windows to allow as much sunlight in as possible. You can even add a roof terrace to it as well if you fancy it. So, as you can see, there are so many options available for your wrap around extension, that you’ll find something that suits your home easily.
Planning Permission – Is It Needed?
Planning permission is very likely when building a wrap around extension. This is because they cover more than just your back garden and can be built vertically as well. It’s always best to check with your local authorities before you start any building as you don’t want to have to stop halfway through. Don’t ever assume that you don’t need it. You never know what random regulation could prevent you from going full steam ahead.
How Long Do They Take To Be Built?
Planning permission alone can take around 8 weeks to be approved, so this isn’t going to be done in a week. But once you’ve got the relevant planning permission, you’ll be ready to get going. However, you might be concerned with how long it will take to build the whole thing. Building the wrap around extension can take around four months for just a single storey, so again, it’s not a fast build. It will also depend on how complex the design is. The more complex, the longer it will take. Similarly, the larger it is, the more man hours it will take to be built. So, when it comes to timescales, be generous and don’t expect it all done immediately. Rushing normally means corners have to be cut, and you want your wrap around extension to be of the highest quality. So really, waiting a little longer for it to be built isn’t that much of a bad thing.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of your wrap around extension will completely depend on the design you go for. Something larger and with more storeys will cost a lot more than a smaller, single storey one. It’s thought that a wrap around extension can cost anywhere between £65,000 and £120,000 depending on how big you want it to be. While this may seem like a lot, you’re essentially adding more house to your home which isn’t going to be cheap. The bigger and more complex you want the extension will also push the cost up. So, if you want to keep the price as low as possible, try to keep your design simple.
What Are The Benefits To Having One?
One of the major benefits to having a wrap around extension is the extra space that it gives. The added rooms can be used for numerous purposes, from home offices to kitchen space, the possibilities are endless. They can also help connect your home to your garden in a better way, so that even when the weather is bad, you can still enjoy being surrounded by nature. Using a wrap around extension means that the L shape won’t eat up as much of your garden as a regular extension would either. This is because they utilise room in the back and side of your home, making it ideal for those who want more room but still want to keep their garden. So, if you want an increased living space that doesn’t destroy your outdoor space, make sure you check out a wrap around extension and see what it can do for you.
A wrap around extension can make an enormous difference to your home. Not only will it give you more space, but it will also give it better functionality. In fact, they can completely transform your home in so many ways that you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.
