As families grow up, more space is needed. Moving is expensive and disruptive. As well as the actual cost of finding a larger home, there are factors such as agents' and legal fees and removal expenses to be considered. Building an additional room can be cheaper and faster than buying a new home.

Help can be found easily when it comes to home improvements. You can hire a professional or you can pull in some favors from friends and family members. Before you decide on the type of extension you want, it helps to list the reasons why you need extra space.

A bigger, better equipped kitchen is the most popular use for a home extension. If you want a bigger kitchen, choose a brick-built or prefabricated solid wall extension. The old kitchen can either be incorporated into the extension or can be used to make a second living room or a dining room, a playroom or a study. Consider whether creating this extra room would be more advantageous than adding the space to the extension to make an extra large kitchen.

Do you have an elderly or disabled person in your home? The idea of a bathroom or bedroom at ground floor level may not appeal but is a practical idea if the accommodation is for someone elderly or disabled. If you would prefer a bathroom and bedroom upstairs, it may be possible to build over the garage, or to add a two-storey extension which also gives additional room at ground floor level. The other possibility is a loft bathroom and bedroom - a step which should never be considered when seeking space for an elderly or disabled person who might find the stairs difficult and feel cut off at the top of the house. Loft extensions are discussed in the following chapters. Living room/diner If you want an extra living room, dining room, or a playroom or study in a ground floor solid wall prefabricated extension, choose a brick-built design or a conservatory.

There are three main types of extension that can be added to a house.

Conservatories range from a simple lean-to to elaborate modern-style designs. All are suitable for year-round use as an extra living room, dining room, study or play area, providing that you fit some sort of blind or shading so that the room does not become too hot during the summer months, and heating for the winter.

Prefabricated extension is usually one storey and of simple design. The building is suitable for use as a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, or living room.

Brick-built extension is the type to choose if you want a building designed to your specifications and in materials to suit the style of your home. A brick-built extension can be one or two storeys, or built over a garage or existing extension.

Once you have decided on the size and type of extension you need, think about how the work will be done.

Building an extension yourself is not a decision to be taken lightly, especially if the work involves obtaining planning permission.

• If it does, detailed plans must be provided and you need to be available to talk to the planning officer.
• You will have to estimate and specify the materials needed.
• You'll need to be familiar with the Building Regulations which affect drainage, plumbing, foundations and many other aspects of the work.
• Be prepared to give up all your spare time to do the building work.
• Be sure that you can do the work. If things go wrong, it can cost more to employ a builder to put things right than to use a professional from the start.
• DIY building takes a long time, so be prepared for months of disruption.

DIY with help means employing an architect or surveyor to draw plans and deal with permission,   estimates   and specifications, leaving you to build.

DIY using a kit is an easy solution providing you are happy with the limited range of sizes and styles available. The extension company deals with planning permission and Building Regulations, and then   delivers the building in prefabricated sections for you to assemble.  

Suppliers of prefabricated extensions deal with everything from planning permission to construction. Some also supply interior fittings. This method is quite expensive, designs on offer are limited. The range of conservatories is better than the range of extensions.