Sara Drawwater

How much does it cost to build a house or extension — estimating costs for domestic building projects

How much does it cost to build a house or extension — estimating costs for domestic building projects

Estimating small building projects can be a complex process because build costs depend on so many factors. The reality is you will only get an accurate idea of the price for your project when all drawings and schedules of work have been completed. These outline your particular requirements, the type of house construction and any other factors specific to your project.

The problem is, people want to know about building costs before they know about the project specifics or have a clear project brief. Although this is is understandable, it’s difficult to be accurate on build costs at an early stage of a project idea. This is because details of what is being included and what is not is usually quite vague at initial stages of the project.

We recommend you are careful of ball park figures that may be thrown at you early on as these can vary significantly. You can only begin to get some price certainty when you have a building design and plan, and the project is split into its various elements, which can then be measured and costed out. 

This article explains how we help clients through this difficult first stage of building projects. 

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House design and refurbishment guide — internal alterations for more space

The most obvious way to improve your home and solve frustrating house design problems is just to add extra space. This preconception may lead you to believe that you need a loft conversion or house extension. But before launching into major building works we advise clients to take a step back and ask an important question. Can you get what you need without major structural alterations or additions?

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Open plan kitchen design — top 10 tips

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The open plan kitchen gives the modern household a space that is flexible, relaxed and open. Clearly, what we want from our living space and our buildings has changed significantly. Formal dining rooms and kitchens cut off from the rest of the family are no longer popular.

These open plan kitchen design tips are for ordinary suburban houses and are well suited to the many semi detached homes in the UK.

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House extensions guide — in depth information on how to successfully tackle your house extension

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Well-designed extensions can transform even the humblest of homes by maximising the floorplan and adding to the market value. Considering today’s house prices as well as tallying up the costs of moving (think solicitor's fees, stamp duty, house movers and van hire), improving what you've already got can be a more appealing and affordable route to creating a living space that meets your family's needs. Use this guide to help you maximise your property's potential.

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Read the ultimate guide to enhancing properties in Cambridge

As experienced and knowledgable local Cambridge architects we have written the ultimate guide on enhancing properties in Cambridge. This must read article contains:

  1. Our view on the Cambridge attraction
  2. Our view on the growth of the Cambridge property market
  3. An overview of local and historical architecture styles and recommendations for making the most of your Cambridge property
    1. The birth of Cambridge City Centre
    2. Cambridge's grand Georgian properties (1715 - 1810)
    3. Victorian houses in Cambridge (1810 - 1870)
    4. Late Victorian houses in Cambridge (1870 - 1901)
    5. Edwardian houses in Cambridge (1901 - 1920)
    6. The popularity of the Semi to the North of Cambridge (1930's)
    7. Mid century modern post war housing in Cambridge (1945 - 1960's)
    8. Public and private housing in Cambridge (1965 - 1990)
    9. The developing character of Cambridge's surrounding villages
    10. Cambridge city and properties in the new Millennium (1990 - 2015)
  4. Useful Cambridge property links

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How to make planning applications — a step by step guide

Whether you need planning permission will depend on a number of variables, including the size of the project and the level of permitted development (PD) rights that apply to your property. If you do need planning permission, you will quickly realise that planning applications can be rather tedious complex! You can use this guide to help you make a successful planning application.

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Permitted development rules for extensions, loft conversions, porches and outbuildings

This guide provides a detailed list of Permitted Development Rules for single-storey extensions, two-storey rear extensions, loft conversions, roof extension, porches and outbuildings. Use these lists as a reference tool to check if your project plans are within the planning permission exempt Permitted Development Rights. 

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kickstart your residential project

Get started right with expert advice early on in the project with our Kickstart Consultation — quickly get to grips with design, costs and planning, and minimise the likelihood of stress, time wasting and escalating costs.

 

GET STARTED with a commercial project

Work with us for a broad range of commercial architecture services that includes feasibility studies and planning applications, Building Information and Modelling, design and build, project management and interior design.