Your dream oak frame extension will offer you a great way of increasing your living space while connecting your home with your garden. An oak framed extensions will add value to property – extending a house will always add value to the property. Choosing to build in oak however, makes the investment even wiser by further increasing the resale value. Many consider oak to be a luxury, so a slightly bigger investment during the build will more than pay for itself later down the line. At Premier Oak, we understand that committing to an extension is a big deal financially, so here are just a few things to keep in mind when budgeting for your dream oak frame extension.
Oak framing is a specialist method and therefore not as well understood by generalist architects and builders in comparison to some other routes. Having an experienced oak frame designer and builder, like us, involved from the start will help to avoid issues and make the most of what oak can offer, both in terms of aesthetics and structural capabilities. Your builder may need to knock down walls, clear the site, remove spoil, level the ground and lay the foundations and slabs for the oak frame to sit on, all of which may require additional time and budget allocation, so it’s best to have someone who knows what they’re doing to get everything right the first time. Working with a specialist oak firm is essential if you’re keeping to a tight budget. We’ll be best to advise on how to keep costs down, giving you solutions to achieve your vision.
Researching and understanding is important, as complexity is one of the biggest factors affecting build costs. The more corners there are in a project, the bigger the price tag. Similarly, the architectural style will affect how much oak is needed – and the higher the volume of oak, the more it will cost. Traditional styles often call for the timber to be exposed both internally and externally, so generally require the most oak. Barn homes, meanwhile, tend to have a simple footprint and are usually more open-plan, with less exposed wood. Post and beam layouts work on a simple grid system and require even less oak.
Your level of involvement in the project will influence the price. Many self-builders do not undertake much of the actual construction work themselves, instead relying on proven trades and contractors. That said, provided you get it right, you can make considerable cost savings by fully or partly self-managing the project – this might include organising the individual trades, quantifying and ordering materials, and quality controlling the work – but you have to know what you’re doing so you don’t risk causing the project to cost more!
Once our site team have erected your frame and any additional structural elements such as roofing, joinery, cladding and glazing, we recommend you ensure the necessary trades are waiting in the wings to add the finishes to your oak frame extension. Depending on the purpose of your new space, you may need to budget for associated costs such as plastering, flooring, electrics and heating. All that is then left to budget for is any exterior landscaping and interior design, if required!
Where your plot is in the country can also affect build costs. For example, a trade in London is likely to charge more than one in the north of England.
It’s important to note that different structures and features make the cost vary. We can help talk you through all your options, and options that could minimise your spendings.
Once you have the dream (and the means) to build your oak framed home then start looking for an experienced architect. Most oak timber framing companies will know and have dealings with such architects, and we are no exception, so don’t be afraid to make us your first port of call. Get in touch with us today – we’d love to hear from you!