Working from home, home schooling and online keep fit sessions during lockdown have highlighted the need to create multi-functional spaces in many homes.
Ahead of the end of lockdown, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) is anticipating a rise in building regulations applications and inspections from property owners as they look to extend their homes.
To help home owners who are planning on extending their property, DBCP is offering 30% off plans and inspection fees for domestic extensions until 31 July 2020.
Where once many home owners would have considered a move before altering their home, the gloomy forecast for the UK residential property market means many home owners are now deciding to stay put and extend.
UK house prices are forecast to fall from anywhere between 3% and 20% this year and residential property sales are expected to drop by as much as 38%.
Extending your property can be a cost-effective way to add more space. You may also find it is more cost-effective to build a two-storey extension rather than a single storey – especially when you compare costs per m².
However, while you don’t always need planning permission for extending your property, you do always need Building Regulations approval. Find out more here. Always seek guidance from your local planning authority before embarking on any building work on your home as there may be restrictions, such as listed building status, in place.
If extending your property isn’t an option to add useable space to your home, then there are other options to consider however DBCP’s generous 30% discount on plans and inspection fees only applies to domestic extensions.
- Loft conversion
Converting your loft not only gives you an extra room in the house, but it is also the perfect opportunity to improve the energy-efficiency of your home and save money long term on your energy bills. Find out more here
- Convert your garage
How many home owners actually store a car in their garage? For most, it’s a dumping ground for junk. Dumping the junk and converting a garage that is attached to your home can add value to your property as well as much-need living space.
- Create an open plan layout
By adding or removing walls, even changing the location of your kitchen or living room within your home could create a better flow around your home and make the space more useable. Creating a multi-functional, open plan, light filled space, can make your home feel larger. Better still, a study carried out by the National Association of Estate Agents revealed that opening up space will add value to a property.
Full details of how DBCP is delivering its services during lockdown can be viewed here.
