Building single story extensions is not a cheap affair. Once you have paid for planning, architects, and the building work to be done, you are left with an empty shell. When calculating the price for your extension it is important to add the cost to fit out your new space. Of course, just like the price of your extension can vary a lot, depending on what quality you choose, so can the price of fitting out your extension.
Single Story Extensions : Pricing Up
The costs involved in fitting out single story extensions depend on the purpose for the new room. For example, the cost for a kitchen or bathroom will be far greater than that of a bedroom or lounge room. A home office is another cheap room to fit out.
Let’s start with kitchens. Really, there is no limit to the price you can spend on a kitchen. But the lowest price would be around 5K. So, budget anywhere between 5 and up to 30K depending on how grand your designs are. For bathrooms and wetrooms, once again, the price you will pay will vary depending on how expensive your tastes are. You could spend as little as four and a half thousand pounds, or in excess of ten.
Floors and Walls
Once the empty shell of single story extensions is ready for fitting out, you need to think about the floor, walls, and ceiling. The amount you spend on flooring will depend on if you are opting for carpet, linoleum, or fashionable laminate flooring. Very few people opt for carpets nowadays, tiles and laminate being far more practical as well as fashionable. So, you should budget between 25 and 100 pounds per square metre.
For the wall you will need to budget for dry lining or plastering, and paint. These finishes may be included in the initial quotes you receive, but if not, add around 85 pounds per square metre. Doors are an expense that you cannot afford to forget when pricing up the finishing touches to your extension. Bi-fold doors are very popular, as are sliding doors, and these will cost you around 1.5 to 2 thousand pounds per linear metre.
Central Heating
One thing many people forget to budget for is the heating for your new room. The price you pay will depend on the type of heating you opt for. Extending your existing central heating system is probably the cheapest method, but this will take a plumber two days on average. A plumber will charge around 150 pounds per day, and that will not include the materials.
If you wish to opt for under floor heating, the price will go up considerably. Electric underfloor heating is a cheaper alternative, and easier to install than water-fed heading. Water-fed heating will be cheaper to run in the long run however. But, in order for this to work, you may need to upgrade your existing boiler. A boiler that will cope with the demands of under-floor heating will cost you at least 2.5K.
Furniture and Fittings
Once you have all the essentials in place, it is time to move in your furniture and add the finishing touches to your extension. But, what furniture will you be using? You may already have some in mind, or you might need to go out shopping. Here, you can once again spend as little or as much as you want, depending on if you like luxury or if you prefer shopping in the sales.
Fixtures and fittings can include lampshades or strip lighting, light switches, door handles, curtain rails or blinds, and finishing touches. Your new walls will look bare, so you will need paintings or decorations. Lastly, ornaments will add a finishing touch to your new room if it is to be used as a dining or living room. If your extension is a kitchen, then for sure you will want to splash out on some new matching pots and pans, bar stools, jars, cutlery, and more.
As we said before, the sky really is the limit when it comes to fitting out your new extension. It is possible to fit out an extension on a budget, but it really is worth it to buy what you really want. This way you will really enjoy your extension and the extra room that it adds to your home.