7 Ways to Cut Your Extension Costs

Starting a home extension project is exciting, but the costs can quickly add up, leaving many homeowners feeling overwhelmed. The dream of extra space for a growing family, a home office, or a bigger kitchen can sometimes feel out of reach.

However, with careful planning and smart decisions, it is possible to reduce your extension costs without compromising on quality. Many people assume that cutting costs means cutting corners, but that’s not necessarily the case.

In fact, by making strategic choices, like selecting cost-effective materials or managing some tasks yourself, you can keep expenses in check. The key is knowing where to save without sacrificing the end result. From hiring the right professionals to exploring alternative construction methods, there are many ways to approach your project.

So, before you begin, let’s explore seven practical ways to make your extension more affordable. Whether you’re planning a modest addition or something more ambitious, there are plenty of options to help you stick to your budget while achieving your dream.

1. Keep the design of the extension simple and choose standard materials

Irregular shapes increase your extension costs to build and have the added expense of potentially requiring custom-made windows and doors. Keep costs down by building a rectangular/square extension with a simple pitched roof. Use easily available building materials and standard-sized windows and doors.

2. Avoid building near trees, drains or other buried services

If possible, avoid complicated groundwork. A tree report will cost from £250. Tree removal costs vary between £300 and £500 for a small tree and between £2,500 – £3,500 for a large tree.

Building over or within three meters of a shared drain requires a Build Over Agreement and costs around £335

You can issue a Party Wall Notice yourself to each of your affected neighbours. If your neighbour agrees to the works in writing, you will not require a Party Wall Agreement and this can save on fees.

– Yoop Architects

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3. Obtain your own Party Wall Award (Agreement)

A party wall is a wall shared between two properties, typically seen in a terrace house or semi-detached or shared structures such as the floors between apartments. If your extension costs involve building or digging foundations within 3 m of a party (shared) wall or other foundations, then you may require a Party Wall Agreement. Which may increase your extension cost.

You can issue a Party Wall Notice yourself to each of your affected neighbours. If your neighbour agrees to the works in writing, you will not require a Party Wall Agreement, and this can save on the fees, which are typically £700 to £900 per neighbour.

 

4. Re-use & Recycle

If knocking down walls/rooms, consider what materials you can re-use or sell rather than just throwing everything in a skip (flooring, tiles, radiators, bricks, cabinets/units, etc.). This also reduces costs for skip hire and disposal.

Consider refacing instead of just replacing. For example, if your kitchen cabinets are in great condition, you could just repaint them or replace the doors and drawers as part of your kitchen renovation.

5. Building Regulations

All extension work requires building regulations approval, and you may need building regulations approval for many alteration projects. This can cost from £400 – £750. However, you do not need to get approval yourself if you use traders registered with a competent person scheme.

 

6. Plan ahead in detail & avoid making changes once the design’s been agreed

Spend time planning everything including the smallest details—electric socket locations, light fittings, flooring, tiles, cladding, etc. This will save money on your extension cost of making alterations at a later date.

Additionally, stick to the agreed design. It’s very easy once work is underway to want to make minor changes, but these can quickly start to add up. Any changes made may also affect the time taken to complete the project, which will add extra costs.

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7. Consider what professional roles you could manage yourself 

Planning Application drawings don’t need to be produced by an architect or engineer; as long as they are accurate and to scale, they can be produced by anyone. If you have access to modern CAD software, then you may be able to produce your own drawings.

A building contractor or architect will charge 15–20% (up to £4,500) on top of the net cost of labour, materials, and overheads. You can cut costs here by managing the project yourself. This includes obtaining planning permission/agreements, hiring tradespeople, ordering materials and equipment, directing the work, etc.

 

Your Extension Cost

To calculate your extension costs, Yoop Architects take a measured survey of your property, which captures all the information. Then we draw it all up in 3D and create sketches to show sometimes five or six options if it’s not entirely clear how you want to achieve your brief.

A lot of the time there are different ways of achieving your desired result, and the more you work with the building, the cheaper, easier, and faster your build will be. Once you’ve got a favourite scheme or a couple of favourite schemes, we have a phase called ‘Meet the Builders‘. That’s when we can introduce you to a couple of builders; they visit the property, and they give you a ballpark figure.

How Can Yoop Architects Help

At Yoop Architects, we recognise that extending your home is a giant commitment, and cost control is of utmost worth. Our work in North London means we have expertise with building extensions that are economical and of the best quality, giving you design ideas that will improve your space as well as provide extra value to your property in the long term.

From understanding planning regulations to selecting the most economical materials and methods of construction, we do all this so that your project remains cost-efficient while not lessening any on design or functionality. This means that our approach is bespoke, making sure that every extension we design is created to your personal needs, lifestyle, and financial strategy.

Let Us Build Your Dream Extension—Cheaply

A well-executed extension does not necessarily mean excessive expense. With good skills and calculated choices, one can achieve that breath-taking yet functional space one always wanted while keeping an eye on the costs. Yoop architects will walk you through every step of the way so that your journey will be as smooth and cost-effective as any dream extension can be.

Contact us today to discuss your home extension project and how we can save you money with a space you’ll love.