Some home extensions are not beneficial. They could actually cause problems that could cost more to put right than the original work.
Check for Building Regulations Sign-Off
Work carried out after 1986 should have a completion certificate signed off by the local authority. Without this documentation, there is no evidence that the necessary inspections took place and work was signed off as being structurally sound to comply with safety requirements for building work that are a legal condition and not something that can be opted out of.
Look at the Roofline Junction
Roofline junctions: The area where the extension roof meets the main house roof can be a weak point. This is because unusual angles and folds in the roofline can be difficult to make watertight using conventional methods such as flashings.
Test for Cold Spots at the Walls
Feel the walls between the old and new part of the home. A cold patch here indicates a thermal bridging and associated high costs to heat around these points throughout the year.
Check Natural Light
A property extension can block light from entering into the rooms at the back of a house or indeed rely on a small window. This would suggest poor planning.
Look at Drainage
Downpipes and so on added for the extension must link up properly to your existing downpipes etc. Puddles of water near the base of new extension foundations, or penetrating damp within walls near the ground, indicate poor connection of the new drains to your existing drainage system.
For Home Extensions Stroud, clay subsoil is a common ground condition so poorly founded extensions are a particular problem. Check for uneven floors and cracked render towards the bottom of extension walls. There is more on Home Extensions Stroud at https://precisionbuildersltd.co.uk/services/home-extensions/stroud/.
As always, a little research before you purchase or commence building can provide huge long-term gains!
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