House Extensions in Fife and Edinburgh

A brand-new house extension can add much-needed space to your home, and is often a good alternative to moving house.

It will also usually increase the value of your property. LC Joinery, Roofing and Building Work are specialists in all kind of house extensions.

What can go wrong?

You may have heard horror stories from friends or neighbours about stress, unexpected costs and delays when getting an extension built.

This can happen when there is nobody coordinating everyone involved in the construction project.

Inevitably, there will be a number of people involved: builders, plumbers, electricians, joiners and kitchen/bathroom fitters, etc.

If one person doesn’t turn up, that puts the whole project back, increasing costs and the overall time it takes. 

Unless there is a continuous conversation between every person already on the job and every person who needs to be there, you will inevitably suffer a breakdown in communication – that’s when the problems start.

What’s the Solution?

One answer is to employ a project manager to plan a schedule and direct operations, but this adds another significant cost, which most homeowners try to avoid.

Our solution is different:

LC Joinery, Roofing and Building Work supplies all trades, so coordination and project management are built in.

We know which trades are needed on what days, and we know when they’re going to turn up, as we send them!

We will liaise with your architect, make sure that everything conforms to building and safety regulations, as well as complying with any conditions of planning permission and building warrants.

You get peace of mind, knowing that someone is in control of the details, which saves you a lot of time, trouble, money and stress.

How much extra space can I get?

Your options vary, depending on your budget and the type of property you live in.

Local regulations may also place limits on your ambitions: are you in a conservation area or do you live in a listed building?

These will probably lead to extra conditions imposed on any permission to build.

LC Joinery, Roofing and Building Work have many years of experience in working on listed buildings, so we are skilled at undertaking sympathetic construction in historic properties.

VAT Note:
To benefit from VAT relief if you are extending a listed building or renovating an unoccupied home, you must use a VAT-registered builder — you cannot reclaim the VAT yourself.

Planning Permission

The Scottish Government provides a helpful guide to whether developments and alterations do or do not require planning permission. Some alterations or extensions come under “permitted development” – you require a building warrant from Building Control at the council but not planning permission.

NOTE: You should always check with your council’s planning department to see whether you need to apply for planning permission. Even if you don’t, there may be other approvals you’ll need to get.

Two-Storey Extension

If you have the garden space to spare, sufficient access and an adequate budget, you’ll probably get most space by adding a two-storey extension.

You could add a new kitchen, a bathroom or two, some bedrooms… the possibilities are endless.

You may need to apply for planning permission, which should be in place before you engage a contractor or start any works yourself.

Single-Storey Extension

This also extends the footprint of your house, so the same caveats of space, access, building warrants and possible planning permission will apply.

Likely to be significantly more affordable than a 2-storey extension, this option nevertheless can provide a good deal of extra room.

Conservatory/Sun room

Make the most of those crisp, yet bright Scottish days, with a conservatory or sun room and introduce much-needed light and space to your home. 

It is true that conservatories can get cold in winter, but an energy-efficient solution is to build in underfloor heating from the start. Then you have a room you can use all year round. 

Some conservatories may be exempt from planning permission – your architect can advise, depending on local regulations and the construction specifications.

Porch

Keep those muddy wellies out of your hallway, and all the coats in one place with an affordable porch.

Garage

We can build garages that are either attached to your house or detached, with your choice of windows, doors and roofing.

Loft Conversion

Whether a full dormer extension or a Velux window conversion, we’ve got it covered.

See our Loft Conversion blog post.

Asbestos

If there is any possibility of asbestos that may be disturbed by building works on the property, you should engage qualified and regulated contractors to deal with it.

It is surprisingly common in residential properties: many built or refurbished before 1980 may have asbestos in insulation boards in fuse boxes or shielding boilers or hot water tanks; in corrugated, flat and pitched roofing; drainpipes; textured wall and ceiling coatings; even floor tiles.

It is dangerous when disturbed or damaged, as it releases fibres into the air, which can lodge in the lungs.

If found, the safest course of action is to contact a licensed asbestos removal contractor.

It is illegal to handle some types of asbestos unless you are qualified and licensed.

A responsible contractor will survey the property and advise whether asbestos is present as standard.

Are your contractors fully qualified and accredited?

Make sure your contractors are fully qualified in every aspect of the project.

LC Joinery, Roofing and Building Work is a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, the Federation of Master Builders, the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme, is a Which? Trusted Trader.

See our accreditations page for details

Preparing for your Home Extension

We manage architectural drawings, planning permission and building warrants.

This is something we do time and time again, and we can do this quickly and safely, ensuring you have the right certification.

We can also liaise with your architect too.

We also have extensive knowledge of Scotland’s complicated planning permission process and building regulations, so you don’t have any added stress or worry.

Next steps

Contact LC Joinery, Roofing and Building Work today to chat over your options.