Is it better to move house or extend? [Infographic]

Do you need more space in your home? Perhaps you need an additional room to use as an office now you’re working from home or a new arrival means you require a nursery or playroom? If the answer to these questions is yes, you may also be wondering “Is it better to move house or extend?” Whilst you might assume that the only real option is to relocate, you may find that extending your home gives you all the extra space you need. 

Moving house vs. extending

 Deciding between moving house and building an extension can be tough. After all, both come with pros and cons to consider. Whilst moving house can allow you to find a property that’s better suited to your needs, it’s costly and also highly disruptive to your family. You may need to leave the area to get the house you want, forcing you to leave jobs and change schools. This isn’t ideal if it’s somewhere that you know and love. When you move house, you never know what kind of area you’ll end up in, or even what your neighbours will be like. 

Extending your house doesn’t come cheap either, with the average extension in the UK costing around £1,000–£2,000/m². Of course, the standard of specification you choose will have a huge influence on the build cost. Even though an extension can be costly, it lets you remain in your home and nearby to everything you know. If you like the town or city that you live in, you may not want to move away from it. 

Should I move house?

If you’ve outgrown your home, you may be considering moving. However, it’s important to think about the costs involved in relocating. Not only will you need to pay for the house itself but you’ll also have additional charges to pay such as solicitor fees, Stamp Duty and removal costs. These can easily add a few thousand pounds to the cost of moving house, potentially making it unaffordable for you.  

A house extension will usually cost much less than what you end up spending on buying a new home. Of course, if you don’t think you can acquire enough space by extending, moving may be the best option. Moving can allow you to get a house that better suits your family’s needs. There are many reasons why your needs may have changed. Maybe you’ve had a baby or you’ve moved an elderly relative into your home and therefore require extra space. Or perhaps you’re now working from home and you need an office. 

Should I extend my home?

In many cases, extending your home is preferable to moving. Not only is it usually more affordable but it can allow you to create a space that’s right for you. Whether it’s a single-storey, two-storey, rear, wrap-around or l-shaped extension, experienced builders can work with you to ensure that it suits your requirements. 

An extension can also increase the value of a property in many cases. An extension can make your home much more desirable, which means you can demand more for it on the marketplace. Whether it’s a garage extension or kitchen extension, you can expect your home to be in demand when you come to sell it. Extending your home to add an office or study can also add some value, particularly as many more people are now working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

When questioning “Is it better to move house or extend?”, you should also consider the stress involved with each option. Although a house extension can cause some disruption to your household whilst work is being carried out, it’s generally a lot less stressful than moving house. Work could be complete within a matter of weeks, after which you can begin enjoying this brand new space in your home. On the other hand, relocating requires a huge amount of organisation before you even begin the mammoth task of moving everything you own somewhere new. Knowing that the sale could fall through at any point up until the exchange of contracts can also be nerve-wracking. It can put a huge amount of stress on your family.  

Home extensions in Leeds

If you’re interested in extending your home to create more space for you and your family to enjoy, get in touch with local company AKB Lofts. We’ve been carrying out home extensions in Leeds for many years, building an excellent reputation across the area. You can take a look at some of our recent projects and read customer testimonials online. We can handle every aspect of your extension, with our experienced team working with you to design and build a beautiful space that truly reflects your needs.  

All our work is fully guaranteed, providing you with full peace of mind when you choose us for your extension. You can rest assured that all work will be carried out to the very highest standards using top quality materials. We’ll strive to complete the work to the agreed deadline, keeping you updated with progress every step of the way. 

Contact us 

“Is it better to move house or extend?” is something that we get asked regularly here at AKB Lofts. That’s because many people need extra space in their homes at some point and are faced with the choice of relocating or expanding their homes. For house extensions in Leeds, get in touch. Call us on 0113 436 0357 to discuss your requirements with one of the team. You can also email us at info@akbloftconversions.co.uk or send us a message via the website. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can with the answers to your questions.