What is the definition of a bungalow?

A bungalow is a one-story home that is on the smaller side, it has a full front porch and can come in the form of a cabin or cottage. It is cute and petite, but for this reason, many families are choosing to add on to their bungalows. An extension on a home is an excellent idea, especially if you’re looking to add more rooms. It can create a whole new atmosphere to love and show off – and in some instances, can be cheaper than moving house.

Why are homeowners adding another floor to their bungalows?

There are many reasons homeowners choose to add extensions, one reason is it adds value to the house. Another floor can expand your home, update the look, and create more value when you decide to sell your home. When you buy a home, it is your job to maintain it and make sure the value doesn’t go down, adding an extension can be the perfect way to cover all of these benefits without having to move out.

Adding extensions to your bungalow can also be the perfect time to remodel the inside of your home, you can open walls up or add new walls in. This can all be done at the same time as adding your extension to your home. It is a great way to increase size in your home, this makes it good for a growing family, or visiting friends.

Need more information on bungalow loft conversion costs? Read more here.

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Types of extensions suitable for a bungalow

There are many types of extensions you can add on to your bungalow, but it will depend on a few things. You will want to know what your budget for the project is, how long you are will to have your home under construction, and what the goal of the project is. All of these details will help you decide what you want to do to your bungalow.

You can add another floor on the top of your home, this will take much time because you will have to expand the ceilings You can add rooms on the ground and connect them to your home, in other words, you can connect outwards instead of upwards. Building upwards takes much more time and money than building outwards, though both will need permission to do. There are also possibilities of adding to bathrooms or study rooms. Before you start adding anything onto your bungalow, be sure that you will not need a permit.

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Factors that affect the cost of a bungalow extension

There will be many things that will affect the cost of your bungalow extension. Before getting started, you will want to take a look at what your minimum and the maximum budget is. If you are sitting down with a contractor, be sure they know this amount so they can choose the proper plan and materials that work with you.

  • Labour- Depending on what you need to be done, this can be a few hundred to a few thousand pounds. If you opt to do it yourself, it may be cheaper. However, you could miss significant steps. Having professional help with the project can save you time, make sure it is done correctly, and they will make sure to get it done precisely how you wan
  • Materials- Certain materials will cost more than others, and you will want to account for this when planning your budget. For instance, wood flooring will be more than carpet flooring, and certain woods can double the price. If you’re adding a room outwards, the foundation material can be up to a few thousand pounds depending on the size. Materials can be a massive cost when adding an extension to your room.
  • Architect fees- Depending on the architect, they will charge different fees. An entire house renovation may cost a few thousand pounds, a floor plan may only cost a few hundred. Other architects will charge you a percentage of however much the entire project costs. Before choosing an architect, you will want to look at your budget, and look at the way they price and charge for the services. Having an architect draw up the plans for the add on is like putting in place a security system. They will be able to make sure the foundation of the house can handle whatever you want to be done, and design it efficiently, this saves you a lot of hassle in the future.
  • Additional factors-When you decide to add on an extension to your bungalow, you will realize there will be many additional costs that you weren’t planning on. It is essential to set aside extra money for these surprise costs. For instance, you may need partitional walls erected, roof materials, a wall demolition, you may have to pay for steel supporting joists if the wall is a supporting wall. Some of these you will already have planned on depending on your goal. However, it is best to be prepared for any extra costs.

There are going to be many factors you will have to budget in, and there will be extra costs that take you by surprise. It is vital obtain extension quotes and go through your finances thoroughly before starting this project.

How much for a small extension? Find out more. For bungalow homeowners who have a garage, why not research the cost of garage extensions too.

It is crucial to figure out precisely what you want the finished bungalow extension to look like so that you can get a full idea of the costs.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions with regards to the costs of adding another floor to your bungalow. If you have any specific questions it is important to have open communication with the team who is working on your home so don’t hesitate to ask your chosen contractor the following questions:

What are the potential problems when adding a new floor to a bungalow?

If you decide to add a second story to your home the main concern is whether the existing structure of the house can support another floor. If your foundation isn’t suitable to add a second story, you may not be able to do this project. When facing this problem, you will want to ask a professional if your foundation is good enough to work with. If it is not, then you will need to find out the costs to fix the foundation to build upwards.

Another problem for some folks is the price, the second-story building is much more expensive than outwards. This is because more walls have to be taken down, and more foundation has to be added in on top of the older foundation. So, not only does it take the time it costs a lot more to do too. This problem may or may not be an issue for you, but it is not something that should be taken lightly.

How long will the extension take?

Depending on what you need to be done, an extension can be done in anywhere from one month to one year. Though, the average time it takes to add on to a home is about three months. This is all based around what you need doing, and how fast the professionals can work. It will also depend on your time schedule and how much you can afford. The bigger an add on is, the more it will cost, and the longer it will take.

Do I need planning permission to add another floor to a bungalow?

For any house adding on extra rooms, you will need to go through the process of getting permission from your local council as well as pay for building regulation visits and sign off. In certain cities, this may be harder to acquire and may take more time. You will need to prepare yourself, meaning you will need a budget, the exact plans you want to do, and you will have to take it to the council to make sure they are satisfied before proceeding to the building phase.

What are the steps involved when extending a bungalow?

Though it is a long process, it shouldn’t be stressful, it should actually be kind of fun to do. There will be a few steps you need to take before starting. You will need to set a budget, create a plan with a contractor or architect, take those plans to the city, and get permits for the construction.

Once that is done, whoever is in charge will take the plans and start taking down walls, adding in the foundation where it is necessary. Before you know it, you will have an entirely new room for your beautiful bungalow. After all of these steps are done, you will be able to decorate it the way you want and show it off to all of your friends.

How can I cover the costs of the bungalow extension?

There is no easy answer to this, some people simply have enough to pay outright after months of planning. Others require much larger amounts of money for bigger projects, and this is where it can get tricky. If you have good credit, some contractors will help you find a finance plan. Others will insist that you take out a home improvement loan, this will have an interest rate and maybe more expensive in the long run.

Another option that may be a cheaper way for you to renovate your home is by using mortgage funding, this tends to be one of the best options for homeowners. Not all people will have these options, and there can be other loan options if you look around, but you will need to be sure to read the fine print.

Summary and final thoughts

Adding an extension to your home can be fun and exciting, but also a lot of hard work. There is no easy way or short cut you can take to extend a bungalow. You will need to go through carefully planned steps and make sure it is okay with your local council. The cost of a bungalow extension can range from a few hundred pounds to more than a few thousand, and you will want to know your plan before taking out a loan.

Some contractors will come and give you an estimate on how much a project would cost, and from there, you can make the decision to continue with the project or not. Adding and renovating your home can be a great way to add space and light to your home, creating a whole new vibe.

Not only can it be good for a new atmosphere, but it can also be an excellent way to add value to your house. Whenever you move, the realtors looking at your house will want to see how much your house is worth and how much everyone would be getting. This project could help you get much more for your home than you ever thought was possible.

Be sure to take the correct steps and do what feels right. Talk to as many people as you can, compare prices, find out what materials are needed for the project, and be sure to look at the pros and cons of doing the project. Above all, have fun with adding an extension to your bungalow.

Rich Crossley
Having spent 30 years working all over the world for top-tier investment banks, I’ve owned and developed houses all over the world – Europe, the US and Asia. I’m now based back in the UK and involved in the property industry – oh, and I’m a keen DIY enthusiast!
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