Adding an extension to your house is likely to give you the best of both worlds – you will get usable extra living space while the work will have paid for itself when you come to sell the house.
There's just one problem. Extensions are expensive. Very expensive.
How can a homeowner on a limited budget get the benefits of an extension?
You still require quality
The first obvious point to make is that you still require quality. Getting a conservatory cheaply should not equate to getting a conservatory that is low quality.
If there are multiple quotes for your extension at £30,000 yet one person manages to come in for under £20,000 are they really able to do the same work for a fraction of the cost, have all the other builders inflated their costs, or is the quote that is far cheaper this low for a reason?
The saying 'you get what you pay for' exists for a reason.
It's worth making the stretch
Perhaps more than any other home improvement, well-thought-out extensions make financial sense.
If it is possible to find the funds through releasing equity, a secured loan or other then the money spent is likely to be turned into profit should you ever look to sell.
That isn't to say an extension is worth risking everything on, spending time in the extra space won't be enjoyable if it's come at the expense of financial security.
However, if the money is there, an extension is a very good use of it.
Get an extension for the price of a conservatory
This might sound too good to be true, however it is possible to get what is effectively a superb extension for a price more in keeping with a conservatory.
A conservatory with a solid, tiled roof makes this possible.
Whereas most conservatories have a glass or polycarbonate roof, it is now possible to have one with a lightweight, solid, tiled roof. Having this style of roof removes the problems that blight many conservatories, namely that they are too hot in winter and too cold in the summer.
The roofs can also come in a range of styles and subtle colours and so the conservatory will blend in with the rest of the property rather than looking like a bolt-on.
This style of roof is actually possible thanks to our work in developing the Guardian Warm Roof, the roof that persuaded legislators to make tiled roofs permissible; up to 2010 conservatories were only allowed glass or polycarb roofs.
Our roofs also have full Local Area Building Control approval.
A final benefit of this style of roof is that it changes the conservatory into a room that adds value, any would-be buyer is getting that extension rather than flawed conservatory.
Next Steps
Deciding whether to go ahead with any home improvement is a big decision, especially when the work could run to tens of thousands of pounds.
If you are considering getting an extension, please consider whether a conservatory with a solid roof might actually give you the same benefits for a much smaller outlay.
On this site, there is a wealth of information. Please have a look around to find out more and give us a call on 0800 0665832 with any queries.
