Why a House Extension Might Be Better Than Moving in Essex
Life is all about decisions, and some decisions are bigger than others. Choosing what to have for lunch today is a fairly low-stakes decision. Deliberating over whether to move house or not – well that's a life-changing call.
Depending on your situation, moving house might not actually be the best option for you. Before you decide to go through with the move, you might want to consider another option: a house extension for your Essex property.
In this post, we're going to be looking at why making Essex house extension plans might be the best call in some cases rather than moving to a whole new property.
Moving Is a Real Drain on Time, Resources, and Money
It's no secret that moving house is difficult. Whether you've moved house before or simply heard stories from friends and family, you'll know that stressful times lie ahead.
But just how much hassle are we talking here?
Let's start with time – as of 2024 it can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 6 months to move house. This is a long period, during which you're going to experience quite a bit of stress. Some moves will take place more quickly, but others may exceed this 6-month estimate.
And how about resources? You're going to need to complete a wide range of tasks in preparation for your house move. From sorting out all your utilities and bills to decluttering and fixing any issues and then organising the removal itself, you're going to have a lot on your mind.
Last but certainly not least – the financial side of things.
The mean selling price for a house in 2024 is £292,000. Based on this, it will cost an average of £10,519 to complete the move.
About 20% of this will be taken up by stamp duty, with conveyancing and mortgage fees combining to contribute another 20%. The rest is made up of surveying fees, mortgage valuation fees, homebuyers protection insurance, and other assorted costs.
Bear in mind this is a national average. Down here in Essex, it's going to be significantly more expensive. The average removal cost in the southeast is between £1,156 and £2,103 – £500 to £800 more than in the northwest. The average sale price is also much higher – around £387,000 – which means you'd be paying a lot more in stamp duty and other costs.
Getting a House Extension in Essex Might Be Easier Than You Think
Many people write off the idea of a house extension in Essex simply because they believe it's too expensive, too difficult, and too disruptive. In fact, this is not the case.
At Humphreys & Sons, we have worked with clients on a range of different projects. Each of these projects is different in its own way but has a similar objective – to enlarge and improve living space for homeowners.
Over our decades of experience, we have honed our approach, and we work to make the process as easy as possible for our clients. House extensions might not be as tricky as you think for your Essex property. In reality, these projects are often far simpler than actually moving house.
The Right Essex Extension Plans Provide Huge Benefits
You may not need to move house at all. Essex house extension plans could provide you with a wealth of different benefits. These include:
More living space, with additional bedrooms, bathrooms, playrooms, office spaces, or outdoor conservatory extensions
The chance to customise your home and build an exciting new space in which to live
Better ventilation, in line with the building regulations of 2010
A higher-value property, so you might be able to achieve a more cost-effective and financially beneficial move further down the line. A double bedroom and ensuite bathroom extension, for instance, might add as much as 12% to your sale value.
Find Out More About House Extensions in Essex
Ready to find out more about drafting and realising your Essex extension plans? Reach out to the team today for expert consultation or to get a quote.
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