Is it Better to Move or Extend my House in Rochdale?

If you’re looking for more living space in Rochdale, you have two main options – extend or move.

As the pandemic made people reassess their living needs, the yearning for more space, indoors or out, powered a housing boom. It also increased demand for building projects.

If your family needs room to grow, you might think about extending by adding a loft conversion, a one or two-storey extension or even a garden room.

But if your issues with your current property can’t be solved by adding extra square metres, maybe it’s time for a house move.

If you’re struggling with the decision, we look at the extend v move debate to help you weigh up the pros and cons.

Should I extend my home?

The pros of extending

Extending your home has many advantages, especially if you love your existing place and you’ve bought in a desirable area – of which Rochdale has many.

You can gain that extra bedroom for your growing family, a designated working-from-home space, a fitness studio, an extended kitchen or … whatever you need.

You will know that everything about the new space is created to your specifications with new fixtures and fittings.

You won’t have to view a single property or go through the potential stresses of moving or being part of a property chain.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is that it will add value to your property when you do come to sell. With the extra bedrooms and bathrooms that they bring, loft conversations can add 20% to your home’s value with extensions adding up to 8%. If this is your main motive, it’s worth getting a valuation of your property before you start – we can help with this.

The cons of extending

Having building work done on your property while you’re living there brings a lot of upheaval, possibly for a long period. It means mess, dirt, noise builders in your home all day and, depending on the work you choose, kitchens and bathrooms out of action. All of which can be as stressful as a house move.

Building work is costly. While you are adding value, some projects won’t necessarily pay for themselves. You will need to think through how to pay for the work, whether remortgaging or taking out a loan. Remember that many projects run over budget.

Great builders can be hard to find and have long waiting lists. Project timescales often overrun, too.

There’s also a lot of admin to consider, too. While many projects can be completed under permitted development rights, you need to check whether planning permission is required. You will need building approval and if the project involves a party wall between you and your neighbours, you will need to get them onside. Properties in conservation areas or with listed building status will attract even more regulations.

You may need to appoint architects, structural engineers and building surveyors to make sure your project is safe and legal too.

Should I move home?

The pros of moving home

While remodelling your existing home can do many things, it can’t fix issues with your property’s location – how easy your commute is or if you’re close enough to good schools, for example. Nor can it give you a bigger garden or turn a flat into a house.

Moving home can also mean a new area with new job opportunities, better amenities and a fresh start.

The cons of moving

Don’t forget that there are costs associated with moving including stamp duty on the property you buy and conveyancing, estate agent and removals fees, so you’ll need to factor these in.

The process can be stressful. If you are buying and selling at the same time, you’ll be part of a chain, though there are things you can do to manage the stress of the situation.

How do I decide?

Weigh up the pros and cons of extending or moving, thinking carefully about how your circumstances might change over the next few years.

If you are extending for more space, perhaps because you’re expecting a baby, consider how things will be long term. Will the extra space still work when you have teenagers, and are there plenty of good schools in the area?

Still not sure? Start by getting no no-obligation market appraisal of your home. This will help you get an accurate picture of your property’s worth so you can think about your budget should you decide to move. As local estate agents in the Rochdale area, we’d be happy to talk to you further about the pros and cons of selling and show you our range of properties in the local area.

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