Last year, while we were expecting Nancy, we took on one of our biggest home projects yet: building an extension. With our family growing to seven, we knew we needed more space, and extending felt like the best way to make the home we already loved work harder for us.
Extended the house is something we had always wanted to do even when we first moved into our new build and I am so pleased we did it, and the additional space has made a huge difference to everyday family life. However, I would be lying if I said the process was completely straightforward! Like most renovation projects, there were exciting moments, stressful moments and plenty of decisions to make along the way.
If you are considering extending your own home, here are five things we learnt from our experience.
1. Expect to go over budget
This is probably the least exciting piece of advice, but it is also one of the most important. Even with quotes and careful planning, unexpected costs can and probably will crop up.
Once work begins, you may discover something that needs changing or in our case the foundations needed to be deeper. You might also decide to upgrade certain finishes, add more plug sockets or make small alterations that seem inexpensive individually but quickly add up. Then there are all the things you do not immediately think about, such as decorating, lighting and furnishing the new space once the builders have finished.
We learnt that the figure you are quoted should not necessarily be treated as the final amount you will spend. If possible, build a contingency fund into your budget from the start. It is much less stressful to have some money set aside than to be caught completely by surprise halfway through the build.
2. Use an architect
An architect can feel like another big expense when you are already looking at building costs, but for us, having professional guidance was invaluable.
They can help you understand what is possible, make the best use of the available space and spot things you may not have considered yourself. It is very easy to focus on how you want a room to look, but an architect will also think about practical details such as light, flow and how the extension connects to the rest of your home.
Our extension was not simply about making the house bigger; it needed to make life easier for a growing family. Getting the layout right was therefore really important. Plans also give builders something clear to work from and can help prevent misunderstandings or expensive changes later.
3. Allow more time than you think
Building work rarely follows a perfectly neat schedule. Deliveries can be delayed, the weather can interfere and one job may need to be finished before another trade can begin.
When you are excited about the finished result, it is tempting to focus on the most optimistic completion date. Our advice would be to treat that date as a guide rather than a guarantee and allow some breathing room, particularly if you are working towards a major life event.
We were having our extension built while expecting Nancy, so naturally there was added pressure to have everything ready before she arrived. Babies, much like builders, do not always stick to your ideal schedule! Giving yourself more time than you think you need makes delays much easier to handle.
4. Be prepared for the mess
You know building work will be messy, but I do not think you fully appreciate quite how much dust can travel until you live through it. It gets everywhere—even in rooms that feel completely separate from the work.
There will also be noise, people coming and going, materials being stored and periods when parts of your home are difficult to use. With children and a dog in the mix, that can make normal family life feel even more chaotic.
Cover furniture, move anything precious away from the building area and use dust sheets or temporary barriers wherever possible. It also helps to accept that the house will not feel perfectly clean or calm for a while. Trying to fight every speck of dust is exhausting; sometimes you have to lower your standards temporarily and remember that it will be worth it in the end.
5. Live in the space before making every decision
Once the build is finished, it is completely understandable to want to decorate and furnish the new space immediately. However, one of the best things you can do is live in it for a little while first.
The way you imagined using a room on paper may not be exactly how your family uses it in real life. You might notice where everyone naturally walks, where toys accumulate, how the light changes throughout the day or which corner would work best for a table, sofa or storage.
Living in the space gives you time to work out what it actually needs. This is particularly true in a busy family home, where practical storage and easy-to-clean finishes are often more valuable than something that simply looks beautiful in a photograph.
There is no harm in leaving a wall blank or using furniture you already own while you decide. Taking your time can help you avoid expensive mistakes and create a room that genuinely works for your family.
Was building an extension worth it?
For us, absolutely. It was a big investment and there were certainly stressful days, but the extension has allowed our home to grow with our family. It gave us the space we needed as we prepared to welcome Nancy without having to leave the house and area we already loved.
The biggest lesson was that an extension is not just a building project. For a while, it becomes part of everyday life, so flexibility, patience and a realistic budget are essential. Things may take longer, cost more and create more mess than expected – but when you finally get to enjoy the finished space as a family, it can all feel completely worthwhile.
