Where do I start? (Extension)

[Featherweight]

Moved into our first mortgage owned home a year ago. Always rented beforehand.

It's a small 3-bed semi-detached house with the tiniest kitchen we've ever had. My DSs bedroom is over the kitchen and also v.small. So, we're thinking of extending to make both rooms bigger.

But, having only been a homeowner for a year we don't know the process, we don't know where to begin.

What's the absolute very first thing we need to do?

I would start with living in it for a few months and thinking, really thinking, about how you plan to use the space, what you need from it, how the light falls, etc. Then start thinking about what you’d like, and what your budget is, and attempting to cost it up based on local prices per square metre.

Your options for extending are likely to be single storey, double storey (either part double height or full double height), and/or loft conversion. You may be able to go out to the side and/or to the rear. If single storey or loft conversion, it may fall under permitted development - have a look on your local council website. At this point, you might also want to think about neighbouring properties and how any plans might affect them.

After that, I would find a few architects who come recommended locally and ask for their opinions, as they may suggest ways of achieving what you want which you haven’t thought of. Most will do an initial no-obligation visit.

You could also get opinions from builders, although my experience is that trying to get even a vaguely projected cost is difficult without a plan.

Once you know what you want to do, you would probably engage an architect or architectural technician to draw up plans, apply for permission and start getting quotes from builders.

Step one, have a look on your local authority website for similar properties who have applied for permission for extensions.. Check out their plans and see what you think.

Step two. Think about it carefully and live int he house for a year to experience all the seasons. During this time your views will change and you will notice work being done elsewhere that you might learn from.

Step 3 ask a few architects, including those involved in the plans you liked on your local authority website, to visit and discuss your ideas and quote for their services. Ask many many questions and for recommendations on builders, they will have connections.

Step 4 when you have found someone you want to work with, commission them to draw up plans. They can sort out the process with the council. Once you have the permission in place and detailed plans you can then ask builders for quotes etc.

I would say the first thing you need to do is make sure you have the funds to pay for it, whether that is achieved through increasing your mortgage (if going this route, have you enquired about the affordability of this?) or through savings.
You can very roughly work out the cost yourself. You have a vague idea of what you want - say you are doubling the size of the kitchen and the bedroom above. Draw a simple plan of your proposed double storey extension and work out the size of the area (in both floors) in square metres. The cost will be, very broadly, 2 to 2 and a half thousand £ per square metre, finished, depending where in the country you are.

I would start with living in it for a few months
We have already lived here for 14 months and do know how we would use the space, experienced the different light and seasons etc. We know we couldn't extend to the side of the house (shared driveway with ndn). We've already seen some houses on the same development we live on constructing similar extensions.

So having this in mind, we should now look for an architect?

Thank you

I would say the first thing you need to do is make sure you have the funds to pay for it,
This would be achieved with savings. DH and I own two small businesses. We receive dividends that go into our savings.

The cost will be, very broadly, 2 to 2 and a half thousand £ per square metre, finished, depending where in the country you are.
Thank you, very interesting. We would be increasing both rooms by a third of their current square meterage. Doubling would likely cause neighbours to object and contest our plans.

Yes look for an architect. If you know what you want this will really smooth the process.