What You Need to Know When Planning an Annexe

You have a large garden, and you want to have an annexe placed in it so you have some additional space in your home or you have somewhere for guests to sleep when they visit.

Sounds simple, right?

In actuality, there is a lot to consider when having an annexe built, and depending on the area you live in, there may be a lot of restrictions and laws you need to follow when having this additional structure built.

So, read on to learn more!

There May Be Restrictions

If you are looking for garden rooms that are larger, have running water and electricity, and are, in essence, a smaller second home - such as those at Ecorooms.co.uk - you need to be aware of potential restrictions in your area.

Some planning laws will only allow you to have an annexe built on your property that is a certain size and has certain features. If you push past these areas, it may be legal for the annexe to be seen as a second property and for taxes to apply.

Costs Will Vary

You may have been looking online and noticed that annexes vary in style, structure and price.

So, when deciding to have an annexe built, you will need to have a rough idea about the dimensions, what is going to be placed inside it, whether there will be separate rooms or it will be open plan and whether other features, such as lavatories, will be part of it.

As with most things, the more complex the design of the annexe, the more it will cost to build. It is, therefore, worth doing extensive research first, setting a budget and sticking to it.

There May Be Taxes

In most countries, having an annexe built may lead to additional taxes. There may be property taxes, especially if the annexe is occupied by a member of your family, as well as taxes when the structure is being constructed. It is well worth exploring the other costs that may surround this build, not just the initial ones.

You Will Need a Professional

Yes, there are ‘flat pack’ annexes, and yes, you may have a perfectly flat garden surface. But, to be on the safe side and ensure that no areas of building law are violated, you should always aim to contact a professional.

They will be able to build an annexe to your specifications and can oversee other areas of the build, too, such as electricity, running water and gas, without any hassle. This may cost more, but if you are having an annexe built to house an elderly relative, it is better for them and for your peace of mind.

Building Will Be Extensive

It is one thing to put up a shed in your back garden, but it is another thing to put in an annexe, especially if you intend it to be a guest house or a place for an elderly relative to live.

As mentioned before, you will need a professional team to build it for you, but you should also be prepared for a bit of a long haul. If you are having running water put in, heating and electricity, there is a lot of planning and engineering that will be needed. So, the work may take longer than you thought. To be safe, always ask for a breakdown of the schedule when booking a team to build this home addition.