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Apex Alterations & Additions

How Long Do House Extensions Take?

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Every house extension project is unique. There are a lot of factors to consider and depending on the size of your property, the type of extension you want, and other external factors – for instance, how long it takes to collect the necessary plans and permits – every building timeline is unique.

With over 30 years of experience in the design and building of first floor extensions, second storey additions, and associated renovations, we can tell you how long an average project will take.

Based on our industry experience, the average timeframe of a standard first-floor extension is around three to five months, while a more complex second-storey addition is around 6 months or longer. Of course, when you set aside time to collect planning permits and get council approval, projects can take up to a year or more.

What is the best way to get an accurate timeline for your house extension? Request a free site visit from a home additions builder. At APEX Alterations & Additions, you can request a free consultation and estimate to help you decide how to move forward with your Home addition/renovation project. Of course, there’s no charge or obligation for this free service.

How long do house extensions take

To help you better understand the renovation process, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of each phase and average delivery times:

1. Free consultation:

On a suitable day and time, a local builder will visit you in the comfort of your home. They will listen to your ideas, carry out a visual site inspection, and propose the best way to satisfy your unique job requirements. They will also give you an honest price estimate based on their understanding of your project needs and past experience of similar jobs.

Depending on availability, most builders will be able to visit you within a few weeks of receiving your initial enquiry. After this consultation, you’ll have about a week to decide whether you wish to proceed with your house extension.

2. Design and Financing:

Once you decide to move forward, it’s time to design your new extension or addition.

During this meeting, your designer will take the time to understand your goals and ideas and prepare a concept draft for you. Your designer will work closely with you to make sure the new design blends in seamlessly with the existing layout. You’ll also have the chance to review the draft and request changes until you’re satisfied with the final design.

Along with making sure the design meets your unique requirements, your designer will also make sure the concept is in accordance with your budget and local council guidelines. This way, your project is more likely to be approved without delay.

Furthermore, you’ll also need to acquire financing to fund your home addition/renovation project.

3. Planning and permits:

At this stage, there’s very little you have to do on your end. Here your builder will step up to take care of the formalities for you. Some of the key tasks they’ll take care of, include:

  • Submit the relevant documents to the local council to have your project successfully approved.
  • Conduct further site surveys, including safety checks, asbestos reviews, and general project planning.
  • Schedule the amount of staff needed, the tasks they will perform, and how long each service will take to complete.
  • Order the necessary building materials to be delivered throughout the course of the project.
  • Budget the total cost of the project into an easy to follow cost management system. Rest assured every dollar spent is closely monitored to ensure your project stays within budget.

Following this, both you and your builder will finalise the contracts and attend a pre-construction meeting. This way, you’ll know what to expect during the course of building your house extension.

4. Living arrangement:

For most renovation projects, especially those confined to just one section of the house, you can live comfortably on the premise throughout the course of building.

Of course, this comes down to whether your project is a partial or total extension of your house. Find out what your options for accommodation will be in the early stages of planning – not just before construction begins!

5. Construction:

Now, the time has come to watch your idea come to life. If you plan on continuing to live on the premise, it’ll literally come to life before your eyes. Average building times will vary. Some projects can take around 12 to 16 weeks. While others can take 5 months or longer. Again, it depends on the type of house extension project.

There are other factors outside the control of the builder that can lead to delays. For instance, inclement weather and financial or council approval delays. Most professional builders will make you aware of these potential delays, so if they do occur your builder will respond accordingly.

6. Completion

Finally, after months and months of planning, meetings, paperwork, and building – your new and improved home is ready! At this stage, your builder will tidy up the site and take you on a guided tour of the extension.

Following this, your builder will reiterate to you the terms of your warranty and the kind of after-care support you can expect to receive. So you can relax knowing your home extension will continue to bring you many years of comfort, joy, and happiness.

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