When your home starts to close in around you, what should you do, convert or extend? Both house conversions and extensions offer solutions for creating additional space, but they come with distinct advantages and considerations. On this page, our building contractors at Gatehouse Construction provide guidance about which of these house renovations will best suit your Chelmsford home.
We also invite you to read our new blog posts about renovations, refurbishments, new build projects, and more.
Conversions involve transforming underused areas within an existing property. The most common examples are loft conversions, where the roof space is adapted into a habitable room, and garage conversions, where living space is created from an underutilised garage, whether integrated into your property or attached at the side.
Homeowners may also consider basement conversions, which are more expensive due to the additional construction work and time scales required.
Conversions work best for smaller additions where multiple rooms aren’t required. Attics can also pose issues for taller family members due to the sloping ceilings. Another point to consider is what you’ll do with all the storage already in situ. Whilst loft conversions will still provide some storage, it’ll be greatly reduced in favour of new living conditions.
Extensions involve physically adding a new room or rooms to your Chelmsford property. A multi-story extension can be done at the back, side, or upwards. Examples of the styles our building contractors design and build for clients include side-return, rear-facing, wraparound, L-shaped, over-structure, single-storey, and double-storey.
Due to the additional construction required, these property renovations are usually more expensive than conversions and take longer, which could affect your living arrangements for a while. Depending on which option you choose, they may also require planning permission, which can be a longer and more involved process.
It’s also important to remember that you may be limited to what you can do with your property if you’re located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or your home is listed.
If you’re unsure whether to covert or extend, our building contractors at Gatehouse Construction are on hand to help with our extensive knowledge of house renovations and other home improvements.
