The benefits of a house extension vs moving house
You have to make a big decision when your current house can no longer accommodate your needs; should you extend it or relocate to a new home? While there are benefits to both alternatives, moving might sometimes be significantly outweighed by the advantages of making changes to your existing home.
Cost-Effectiveness
Although the initial cost of an extension can be high, it’s typically less expensive than the total cost of moving. The cost of moving can quickly increase when you take into account stamp duty, relocation expenses, legal fees, and estate agent fees. Furthermore, in the current property market, expanding your present house could be less expensive per square meter than purchasing a bigger property nearby.
Customisation and Personalisation
You can plan and develop an alteration that precisely fits your needs and preferences with a house expansion. An extension gives you the freedom to customise every element of the extra area, unlike purchasing a new home, where you’re constrained by the features and layouts already in place. You have complete control over every aspect, so the finished product will perfectly suit your thoughts and lifestyle demands.
Minimal Disruption to Your Life
Although there will always be some difficulty associated with construction projects, moving is usually more disruptive to daily life than extending your home. Generally, if the construction is localised, you can stay in your house while the extension is being completed. Moving, on the other hand, entails packing up all your belongings and adjusting to a completely new environment.
Neighbours and Community
A house extension gives you the opportunity to extend your living area without losing the important ties that bind you to your neighbourhood if you’ve developed close relationships there. You can maintain your friendships with your neighbours, your children’s familiar schools, and the local amenities you’ve become used to.
Increasing Property Value
A well-designed and constructed home extension can raise the value of your property considerably. You’re investing in the future value of your property when you add square footage and possibly even features like a home office, modern kitchen, or additional bedroom. Since the added value frequently outweighs the cost of the expansion, this might be extremely advantageous if you ever decide to sell.
In conclusion, while moving house might be the right choice in some situations, the benefits of a house extension are convincing. From cost savings and customisation opportunities to maintaining community connections and increasing property value, extending your current home offers a range of advantages. By carefully weighing these benefits against your specific circumstances and long-term goals, you can make an informed decision that best serves your needs and dreams.
How Munday + Cramer Can Help
Here at Munday + Cramer, we have a number of departments within our practise. These include a team of RIBA qualified architects, RICS accredited surveyors, procurement specialists, facilities experts, and project managers. With this in mind, we are able to offer our clients a full, turn-key solution where required.
In addition to the above, we also have over 40 years of experience working on architectural projects across the county. You can read a number of different case studies by clicking here to get a feel for our approach, dedication, and professionalism.
Getting In Touch
Interested in working with us on your upcoming project? We would love to help! For more information about our services and pricing, get in touch today. You can call us on 01245 326 200 or click here to fill out our contact form.