If a growing family or changing life/work balance needs make you feel cramped in your home, then you might be thinking about ways to get more space. While some people love their homes and don’t really want to move, they sometimes sell up and relocate rather than extending their current property. They worry that an extension isn’t going to work for them.

If you’ve never extended before, then you might not know all the benefits. You might get advice that moving is a better option. However, this isn’t always the case. Let’s bust some common myths about home extensions.

1. It’s not always cheaper to move

Some people believe that it is cheaper to move into a new home rather than build an extension. This isn’t necessarily true.

For example, if you live in a nice area and want to stay in it, then upgrading to a bigger house could be expensive. You might have to pay a premium price to get the extra space you need if you live in a desirable and popular location.

You might be able to buy a larger house in a different place at a lower cost. However, you might have to pay more for the property itself if you go for a home with a lot more space. Plus, you’ll have to pay estate agent’s fees, stamp duty and moving costs.

You could also be left with other dents in your finances. For example, if you have to move further away from your current location, then your work commuting costs could increase. If your new neighbourhood isn’t as safe as your old one, then your home and car insurance premiums will be more expensive.

An extension could be more cost-effective. You can stay in your current home and gain useful extra space. You simply need to cover the cost of the build.

2. You don’t need a lot of outdoor space

Some people decide against extending their home because they don’t have a lot of spare outdoor space around the property. The truth is, you don’t need a lot of space to make your home bigger.

Even a small extended area of a few feet at the back of a home can add useful space. You can make existing rooms bigger—or, you can reconfigure the bigger space you create to make more rooms. If you have room at the sides of your home, you can extend into that space.

Plus, you don’t have to build out here. You can convert a roof space or build a basement. If your garage sits at the side of your home, you can sometimes build on top of that. You can even add a storey to the top of a house or lift the property to add a new lower level.

3. You don’t have to move out of your home

While some people move out of their homes during building work, you aren’t likely to need to do this for most home extension projects. Unless you take on a complete renovation where you strip down the entire building, you should be able to stay at home.

You might need to juggle things around during the work and move out of certain rooms at certain stages. However, this is usually just a minor inconvenience.

4. You could increase the value of your property

Some people think that home extensions don’t add a lot of value to a property or that they won’t recoup their initial costs. While this might sometimes be true, a savvy build will boost your home’s value enough to make your money back and turn a profit if you do sell in the future.

For example, extensions which add rooms can boost your home’s value. An extra bathroom, bedroom or home office makes your property more attractive. A conservatory or al-fresco outdoor room can also add value.

Finding the right partner is key to any successful home extension project. If you want expert advice on how to make your home bigger, then contact Builders At Your Service.