Eco-Friendly Home Additions: A Sustainable Choice for Modern Homes

Image Source: https://apexalterations.com.au/

The primary ambition of every home addition company is to ensure that any home expansion project doesn't harm the environment. They use sustainable options to combine style, functionality, and energy efficiency. Planning will reduce your carbon footprint and, at the same time, ensure that your property's resale value improves further. Numerous solutions are available to maintain the eco-friendliness of any home addition, and we have discussed some of them in this post.

WHY HOME ADDITIONS MUST BE ECO-FRIENDLY?

Sustainable home improvements will provide much more than just environmental benefits. Eco-friendly solutions used during first floor additions construction will lower energy bills, improve indoor air quality and create a healthier living space. 

The role of the home additions company will be very crucial, as they will be responsible for enhancing the sustainability and eco-friendliness by using green construction practices and eco-friendly materials. 

FOR EXAMPLE – 

• Opt for renewable materials, such as bamboo or recycled timber.

• Incorporate insulation upgrades to reduce heating and cooling needs.

USING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS FOR FIRST FLOOR ADDITIONS

Choosing the right materials for first floor additions is a critical process, and the role of the home additions company is very important. They must use sustainably resourced timber, recycled steel and low-VOC paint as all these materials minimise environmental impacts. These sustainable materials reduce stress on the environment and can also be beneficial for the property. Some other examples are provided below.

• Bamboo flooring is both renewable and stylish.

• Reclaimed bricks can give a rustic aesthetic with minimal environmental cost.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY SHOULD BE PRIORITISED

This selected home additions company should focus on eco-friendly and energy-efficient designs. This means they should incorporate larger windows to let natural light in more. Installing solar panels and energy-efficient HVAC systems will help you save energy in your new first floor additions. The team should design your project to meet local energy standards, and it can include the following – 

• Position rooms to capture natural sunlight throughout the day

• Consider roof overhangs and shading for temperature control

• Install operable windows to allow natural airflow

• Use low-VOC paints and finishes for all walls and ceilings

• Choose drought-resistant landscaping for minimal water use

• Use rainwater for toilets and irrigation

Eco-friendly home additions are no longer optional. They have become a necessity and can be integrated in first-floor additions and second-story extensions as well. Your home addition company should develop solutions that reduce energy consumption and enhance the property's value.

Understanding Time and Money Investment for Home Extensions

                                   Image Source: https://apexalterations.com.au/

The best step that a home can take to accommodate a growing family is going for home extensions with the help of a reputed home additions builder in Sydney. The same project can also be undertaken to add value to the property or make it more advanced compared to what it was a decade ago. The involvement of a builder is essential, as the team will guarantee a smooth, streamlined, and cost-effective project that stays within your budget. They will consider all the significant factors in the beginning, and the top factors they consider are –

• Time frames can affect your day-to-day life.
• Costs can vary widely between builds.
• Council fees can add more to the final cost.
• Heritage homes need extra special care and attention.
• Obstacles can be overcome with some expert advice.
• Let us go through the details of these factors in this quick blog post.

DETERMINING THE TIME FRAME

It is crucial to set aside money for these home extension projects as both first-floor additions and second-story additions can be money and time-consuming. Projects like second story extensions can take anywhere up to 12 months from beginning to end. The process starts with research and planning, which can take up to 4 months. The pre-construction phase then continues for approximately 2 months. The main construction process takes around 6 months, and the post-construction or completion process takes another 2 months.

DETERMINING THE COST

Your home additions builder in Sydney is the right person to discuss the expenditure related to second-storey extensions or first-floor additions. The budget will depend entirely on the scope of work, but one thing is sure that this investment will add massive value to your property and, not to mention, transform your standard of living.

Here are the details of some common expenses in terms of house extensions.

• Bathroom: around $17,500
• Additional bedroom: around $18,000
• Kitchen: around $40,000
• New flooring: up to $200 per square meter
• Deck or patio: up to $420 per square meter

The prices vary based on standards, basic builds, and other factors as well, and this is why it is mentioned above that your home additions builder Sydney is the right person to inform you about the complete expenditure. There can be some unforeseen and unpredictable expenditures as well that you have to keep in mind. At the same time, it is also essential to comply with all the laws and regulations to ensure that you don't face any penalty after project completion.

 

How to Get Council Approvals for Home Additions in Australia?

Image Source: https://apexalterations.com.au/our-services/house-extensions/

When a family extends, every homeowner feels the necessity of a bigger property to accommodate every family member and offer deserving privacy to everyone. This is easily possible with home additions, as it allows the homeowner to update the property and make it more spacious, open and ideal for every family member. At the same time, the construction work must be carried out as per the council approvals and laws. For homeowners, these laws and the approval process can be overwhelming, and this is where the home addition contractors can be beneficial.

Since they are closely associated with the industry, they are fully updated with the latest laws and rules related to home additions, first floor additions, second-floor additions, etc. They must also take it as their responsibility to get the necessary council approvals and get paperwork cleared before the construction process.

WHY DO WE NEED COUNCIL APPROVALS?

Councils from different states have different rules and laws regarding the projects that need council approval. Hence, the homeowner must check with the local council or rely upon the construction contractor for this information. It is worth understanding that most internal renovations don't need any council approvals. But yes, if structural changes are involved in internal renovations, you might have to get approvals from the local council. External renovations, building works, home renovations, home additions, etc., will all require council approval, and no matter how small the project is, it is always helpful to get these approvals.

Significant extensions and projects involving substantial excavation or filling and free-standing constructions like granny flats, studios, etc., will require council approval.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO GET APPROVALS RELATED TO HOME ADDITIONS?

The approval process differs between councils, and you must get accurate information from your local council. Generally, the following steps are involved in the process.

• You start by contacting your local council and confirming the policies, procedures and associated fees.

• The home additions builder appoints a professional draftsman or an architect to draw the plan.

• The team from the home additions builder gets the plan approved by the building certifier.

• He approves that the plans comply with the local building codes.

A principal certifying authority is then appointed to certify your plans and be responsible for monitoring the construction process closely. His role is to ensure that the construction is done according to the plan. This principal certifying authority will also provide an occupational certificate once the construction is completed.