+44 (0)20 8470 5355

info@as-construction.co.uk

Instagram Facebook Linkedin
Whatsapp Instagram Facebook Linkedin
Structural Engineering | Wall removal | Loft conversions | Structural Assessment | A S Construction
Get your free quote

Is it better to move house, build an extension or invest in a loft conversion?

Is your family outgrowing your existing space? Do you want to make a smart investment choice for your future? Or perhaps you want to ring the changes with a new property or a new property
enhancement? If any of these sound like you, then you’re faced with a unique choice. Should you move house, build an extension, or invest in a loft conversion? Fortunately, here at AS Construction & Structural Engineering – the home of intelligent, efficient, and innovative structural engineering services – we have the answers you’re looking for. With our help, you can decide between moving, building an extension, or converting your loft.

In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to answer the question: Is it better to move house, build an extension or invest in a loft conversion? From knowing what is involved with each choice and highlighting their benefits to helping you understand the things you need to consider, we’re here to help. What’s more, if you choose to build an extension or convert your loft, we can do that for you too. Our highly qualified and experienced structural engineers work alongside developers, architects, interior designers, contractors, and other construction professionals to create and deliver results that will exceed your expectations. Get in touch with us today for more information.

Moving Home: A Fresh Start

What does moving house include?

If you own your property, moving house involves selling your property and finding a new one to purchase. While this sounds like a direct process, moving home comes with several challenges
including property searches, negotiations, legal procedures, planning, decluttering, packing, liaising with removal services and the move itself. If you’re not sure if you want to move home or not, here are some of the pros and cons that you should consider before you decide…

The Pros of Moving House,/h3>

When you move home, you can enjoy a new beginning or fresh start in a new neighbourhood, area or even city. A new home brings with it a sense of starting a new chapter which can impact other areas of your life. You may have the chance to meet new people, expand your lifestyle and hobbies, embrace new opportunities and much more.

Searching for a new property gives you the chance to find a home that better suits your unique requirements. Whether you desire a home with an open-plan layout, need an additional bedroom or could benefit from a smaller, low-maintenance garden, buying a new home gives you the chance to do it all.

A new property often brings upgraded amenities with it. Rather than spending time renovating your current home, you could find a new property that has all of the mod-cons that you desire. From an updated kitchen with energy-efficient appliances to Smart home systems, the possibilities are endless.

The Cons of Moving House

Beyond the purchase price of your property, there are many other costs that you will have to pay. Stamp duty, legal fees, moving costs and more see the average cost of moving home in the UK at nearly £12,000. When weighing up if you want to move, extend, or convert your existing property, the cost will play a significant part in your decision.

Moving home is one of the most stressful things that you can do, and the whole family can be affected. When thinking about organising packing, arranging logistics, adapting to a new
environment and more, you could easily become overwhelmed. If you want to avoid this sense of upheaval in your daily life, moving home might not be the right choice.

The property market is forever fluctuating and what might seem like a good deal at the moment, may see you in a loss if you choose to sell again further down the line. Unlike
moving, extending, or converting your home will only add to its resale value if you plan to sell in the future.

Extending Your Home: Shaping Your Living Environment

What does building an extension include?

If you don’t want to move house and have unused space outside of your property, you may want to consider building an extension. Our extensive experience in producing structural engineering designs ensures that you will receive the most economical, efficient, and innovative design solutions for your extension including planning, design, groundworks and foundations, construction and more. If you’re not sure if an extension is right for you, here are some of the pros and cons to consider…

The Pros of Building an Extension

An extension can add up to 15% to the value of your home. Depending on how your extra space is to be utilised, you can see significant monetary benefits. For example, adding an extra bedroom could add around £20,000 to the value of your home, whilst utility rooms, downstairs toilets and larger kitchens are all attractive to prospective buyers.

With our help, you can achieve a bespoke property extension that will elevate your home and infinitely improve your lifestyle. So whatever your tastes and style and however you
need your extension to function for you, your family, and your home, we can tailor it all to your needs.

Building an extension is significantly cheaper than moving home. The average cost of an extension falls between £30,000 and £65,000 depending on the size, materials used and other specifications. This is a fraction of the cost of moving and is an investment that is guaranteed to add to your home’s resale value.

The Cons of Building an Extension

Depending on the type and size of your extension, you may need planning permission which can be a time-consuming process. However, most extensions fall under permitted development, which means you can build without applying for full planning permission. If you’re not sure if you need planning permission, contact us today for trusted advice.

Building an extension will include its fair share of disruption to your everyday family life. Noise, dust, limited access and more may be common inconveniences that you’ll have to face while construction takes place. However, while constructing your extension, we take great care to minimise any disruption.

Depending on the size of your home and available outdoor space, you may be limited to the size of the extension that you can have. Speak to our specialist engineers today and we can
provide you with advice on the type of extension that may be possible for you based on your property’s specifications.

Loft Conversions: Make the Most of Unused Space

What does a loft conversion include?

If your loft space is empty or is used for storage, why not transform it into a functional room? Our loft conversions are primarily used to add extra rooms, such as bedrooms, offices, playrooms, additional living areas and more. Our services include everything for your loft conversion including planning, design, construction and more. If you’re not sure if a loft conversion is right for you, here are some of the pros and cons to consider…

The Pros of Converting a Loft

Loft conversions are probably the most cost-effective and budget-friendly choice above moving home and adding an extension. The average price of converting a loft starts from around £50,000 which means that you can typically elevate your home and add more space at a fraction of the cost of moving.

Like home extensions, loft conversions can add up to 20% to the value of your home! Depending on how your extra space is to be utilised, you can see significant monetary benefits. This makes loft conversions a smart investment to make for maximum long-term financial benefits.

With our help, you can achieve a bespoke loft conversion that will expand the space within your property and infinitely improve your lifestyle. So whatever your tastes and style and however you need your loft conversion to function for you, your family, and your home, we can tailor it all to your needs.

The Cons of Converting a Loft

There’s no denying that loft conversions are versatile, however, you are limited in terms of layout and design. The existing space is the available space, fortunately, an experienced architect and design company will be able to work around what you have to deliver a functional and stylish space that is tailored to you.

Depending on the scale of your loft conversion, you may need planning permission which can be a time-consuming process. However, most loft conversions fall under permitted development, which means you can convert without applying for full planning permission. If you’re not sure if you need planning permission, contact us today for trusted advice.

Converting your loft, much like building an extension, comes with several disruptions whilst construction is taking place. Expect the process to be noisy and dusty, you may also have limited access to areas of your home throughout. However, while converting your loft, we take great care to minimise any disruption.How To Choose Between Moving, Building an Extension or Converting a Loft…Choosing between moving home, building an extension, or converting your loft is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are many things that you need to think about to make an informed decision. Here are some key factors to think about to ensure that you are making the right decision for your property, family, lifestyle, and budget…

Whether you’re moving, extending, or converting, each comes with investment implications. It’s important to research how each decision will impact the long-term value of your home. Assess each outcome and weigh up which one aligns best with your financial goals.

Consider your timeline and at which point you want to either be in a new property or complete your extension or conversion. Each has a different timeline and understanding how these fit with your schedule could decide for you.

Your budget may be the deciding factor for whether you move, extend, or convert. The average cost of buying and moving home is around £312,000. The average cost of extending
your home is around £60,000. The average cost of a loft conversion is around £50,000.

If you love the area that you live in, you are in great school catchment areas or you have fantastic neighbours, extending or converting would be the better choice. However, if you are seeking new experiences, moving home might be more desirable.
In Conclusion deciding between moving home, building an extension, or investing in a loft conversion is a personalised decision. Each option provides benefits and challenges in equal measure, so the decision is down to you. If you choose to build an extension or convert your loft, your dream home awaits with AS Construction & Structural Engineering. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Why work with us?

We are a long-standing, reputable structural engineering consultancy based in East London. We are a talented, dynamic and enthusiastic team of Engineers delivering intelligent, efficient and innovative engineering solutions. Here’s more about why you should work with us…

 
Complete Project Management 
 
We provide great designs which 
satisfy our client’s 
requirements, and our 
exceptional project completion 
rate is a testament to the 
constant business we receive 
from new and existing clients. 
.  
 
Range of Services 
 
We offer services nationally 
across the UK and our 
portfolio includes residential, 
commercial, industrial, health 
and education projects in 
both the private and public 
sectors. 
 
 
Fully Qualified 
 
We are fully qualified and are 
registered with the Institution 
of Structural Engineers, the 
world’s leading and governing 
professional body for 
qualifications and standards in 
structural engineering. 
 

If you’d like to take the step and arrange your extension or loft conversion, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!