Move or Extend? The Pros & Cons of Moving Home or Getting an Extension

There are so many improvements and changes you can make to your home’s interior that the possibilities seem endless. If you are not happy with the decor, the layout, the furniture or the fittings, it is a relatively straightforward job to get them changed. Your plans are dictated by your budget, of course, but other than that there are only the limits of your imagination to stop you from decorating your home in any way you choose. But what if you are not satisfied with the building itself? Families grow larger and circumstances change; homes can become unsuitable for a family’s needs. In this situation, there are two choices: move house or get an extension. For anyone beginning to think about this question, we asked the experts at House Extension Online to talk us through some of the pros and cons of each option.

Buying a New Home

Expensive and time-consuming: there are many downsides to buying a new home. You have to sell your existing property, of course, and you may very well find yourself caught in a long chain of buyers and sellers, all hoping that nothing falls through. Another factor to bear in mind is the cost, not only of the property itself but also of the other expenses which can really add up. For example, stamp duty is currently 1% of houses under a quarter of a million pounds and goes up to 3% for properties worth more than that.

On the other hand, the benefit of buying a new house rather than extending your existing property is that you won’t have to endure the long and sometimes inconvenient process of having the extension built. Plus, you may find a new home in a more convenient location, or attractive neighbourhood. You don’t know what’s out there until you’ve had a good look.

Getting a house extension

Assuming that you are happy with your home’s location, but not its size, it is well worth considering getting a house extension rather than moving out. Admittedly, there are some downsides to the process: it can take a long time for the plans to be finalised and approved and for the builders to complete the work. A lot of things can wrong along the way, and you need to be really confident that the extension you’ve asked for is exactly what you want.

Image source: www.create-room.co.uk

However, if you do get a house extension, it can allow you to enjoy more living space without having to move out. Plus, it can add a great deal to the value of your property. There are many different types of extensions, such as added rooms, conservatories, porches and garage conversions, which means that you have a good chance of finding the perfect solution for your needs. More good news is that the planning permission requirements are soon likely to be relaxed, which will make getting a house extension much simpler. The government recently made proposals for the size of a house extension which does not need planning permission to be doubled to as much as eight metres from the wall of the house. You will still need to comply with building regulations and the Party Wall Act, but overall this will make getting a house extension a lot less hassle.

Ultimately, you will know which option is best for you and your family, but either way, move or extend, it’s a big decision that merits careful consideration.