10 expenses homeowners forget to budget for when planning an extension

Adding on to your house isn’t a simple task, even if you know how to build an extension. Homeowners often forget to budget the cost of permits when planning that addition. Building permits can cost $500 to $1000 for small construction jobs, or up to $2000 for entire dwellings, something that should definitely be factored in early on.

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Depending on the size or complexity of your project, you might need to hire an engineer or architect to draw up plans for your extension. Structural engineers charge between $90 and $200 an hour, while an architect could cost anywhere from $1200 to $1680 per square metre, depending on the materials used in the build.

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Don’t forget to include the costs of decorating or filling out that new room.

If you’re building a second kitchen, think about an oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. If you’re adding another bathroom, there’s a vanity, sink, toilet and more to account for. What another bedroom? You’ll need a bed, dresser, rugs and bedside tables, just to begin with. You’ll also probably want artwork or picture frames to add some personal touches to the room.

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You never know what kind of weird issues lay behind your walls. If you’re planning to add on to your house, you might just unearth some not-up-to-code electrical or plumbing violations. Budget a buffer in case you run into any bumps in the road during your extension build.

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This might not apply to all home additions, but if you’re planning to rip out any walls or do major demolition to make way for your new addition, plan for a skip to haul off all the debris. According to hipages.com.au, the cost of a skip could be anything from $286 to $1958, depending on the size of the bin and the duration of hire.

You can save a lot of money on an extension if you plan on doing it without a project manager. A project manager is largely responsible for hiring and scheduling subcontractors to complete specific portions of the project. But if you feel comfortable hiring those contractors yourself, that could save you thousands or even tens of thousands, depending on the scope of the project. You just need to be organised and well versed in terms of how the build will proceed.

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Foundation work will probably be the most expensive portion of the extension. Keep that in mind when considering if an extension is right for your home.

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This might not apply to all homeowners adding an extension, but that new room of the house might require landscaping to clean up around the house. Dirt, plants, stones and more can add up quickly, so plan accordingly if this applies to you.

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Think carefully about all the fixtures and finishes you’ll need for your home addition. Maybe taps, lights, flooring, paint, shelves, moulding, knobs and handles. Project managers might upcharge you on items they purchase, so you can save a lot of money by buying the fixtures and finishes you like that are on sale or secondhand.

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Second to foundation work, roofing might be the most expensive portion of your extension. That’s especially true if the room you’re building is an odd shape or doesn’t seamlessly transition from the current home layout.

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Source: RD.com