How To Save Money On Your Home Extension

Building a home extension can be a much cheaper alternative to moving house, especially when you consider the extra costs such as stamp duty and surveyors. It is easy to see why around 41% of Brits would rather build an extension than move house in 2023 according to comparemymove.com.

Building an extension has the potential to add anywhere between 10-20% to your home’s value, making it a solid long-term investment. Whilst this figure makes jumping straight into your new project very tempting, here at Sterlingbuild we would like to take a moment to consider some other ways to potentially save some money!

Submit Your Own Planning Permission

Whilst many people opt to use an expert when it comes to submitting planning permission, there is nothing stopping you from taking this task on yourself. Saving money through taking on more of the responsibility for your build is one of the most cost-effective and satisfying ways to ensure that you stay within budget. We would like to stress that we recommend that you take your time and fully research the process of submitting planning permission, as any mistakes made at this crucial first stage could impact your build later down the line. However, if done successfully this could save money on the overall cost of your build.

For a complete guide to making a successful planning application, take a look at BuildIt’s blog post here.

Hire A Reputable Builder

One of the biggest mistakes to make is choosing an unreliable or untrustworthy builder or contractor. As you are not only going to be relying on your builder to construct your extension in a timely and efficient manner, but you are also going to be spending a lot of time together if you are intending on living in your home whilst the extension is being built. It is worth researching dependable and experienced builders in your area, and even speaking to neighbours who have already completed a renovation for a personal recommendation. 

Checkatrade can also help and provides a lot of information in this blog post about the do’s and don'ts of choosing your builder. Also take a look at our very own guide on living with builders here.

Do Not Move Plumbing Or Electricity Features

With the hourly rate of plumbers and electricians sitting at around £40/£60, you could potentially save hundreds by simply choosing to leave pipes and cabling where they already are. If you can get them to fit within your design, it’s definitely worth considering!

Reduce Material Costs

One way in which people raise the cost of their extension is through purchasing bespoke fittings. If you are looking to save money, we recommend ensuring that your windows and doors are a standard size to make buying off-the-shelf products easier. Here at Sterlingbuild we have a whole range of roof windows, pitched or flat, to suit any budget! Click here to take a look at our high-quality, stylish RoofLITE+ windows that won’t break the bank!

Reuse Materials

Another great way to ensure you stick within budget is through not just using less expensive materials, but through reusing the materials you already have! This could include anything from bricks to roof tiles, or any fixtures and fittings that you may be able to repurpose. Not only does this save you money on materials, but also means you generate less waste too, allowing you to spend less of your budget on skips!

Through using these top tips and tricks, we hope you can positively affect the cost of your home extension project. By hiring reputable tradespeople, as well as being conscious of the materials you use, big savings can be made. For more bespoke information and advice call our expert team on 0208 830 7000.