You don’t need to be in the business to know that things have been a little hectic when it comes to property recently. The month of June in the UK was particularly frantic, as buyers and sellers raced to get deals done before the stamp duty holiday ended. Now that it’s back in play, things are starting to die down a little in terms, but prices are still incredibly high and people are still looking to either move home or do some serious work on their properties now that they have new priorities.

And what are those priorities? Well, it mostly comes down to space. This is most obviously apparent in the exodus of people from London specifically, although there are a lot of people heading out of a lot of major cities around the UK. Months upon months of lockdown have made people realise that their city centre location is not that helpful when you are craving a spacious garden, or you’re trying to work from home while your kids are having to be home-schooled at the same time.

In short, estate agents, property developers and craftspeople have not been idle over the course of the pandemic. It’s one thing to sell a large new home but converting an existing property into something that suits all the buyer’s demands can be a lot more complicated. Here are just a few of the things that you will need if you’re looking at a major expansion.

A Survey Of The Existing Structure

Let’s start with something that is probably a little obvious but is absolutely vital. If you are looking at building out from an existing property, you need to know as much as you can about what is already there. We have all seen what can happen when an extension is put onto a home that has clearly not been properly researched. At best, you’re looking at an aesthetic mess, a room or a floor that feels drastically different from everything else. At worst, you could be looking at something that is genuinely unsafe. This is where you can end up with structural integrity issues, poor insulation and shoddy wiring that leaves the owner looking a towering bill to sort the mess out.

So, before you get started on anything, make sure that a survey has been commissioned that you know exactly what you are building out from or onto. This could be especially important for older properties that may not have been seen any kind of renovation for some time. In terms of equipment, the basics include measuring devices (distance metres are great, but don’t forget your measuring tape), an electronic moisture metre, a spirit level, a plumb bob, a borescope, and don’t forget a metal detector.

A Survey Of The Surrounding Property

But it’s not just about the building. Anyone who has been involved in any kind of property building, renovation or extension knows that it is crucial that you perform a thorough survey of the surrounding property to get a clear idea of the impact that your work is going to have on the surrounding wildlife. We are talking about ecology, topography and any kind of protected species that may be living in the area, and the most common issue that you may be looking at will be the trees on and near the property.

Now, wildlife-related surveys tend to prompt more than a little dread for developers because they can be incredibly time-consuming. After all, there are a lot of details to consider, and it can seem like the amount of equipment involved could be prohibitively expensive. This is why it is so important that you find a tree surveyor or arboriculturist that understands what you need from your survey and can get the job done quickly and effectively. You need to talk to a consultancy firm that not only has the equipment for doing a tree survey but the expertise to break down their findings and to help you make the best possible decision. Arbtech is focus-driven and has built up a formidable reputation over more than a decade of helping people with tree problems get the planning consent they need.

A Crystal-Clear Plan

It’s one thing to have the planning permission and to have the confidence to get started. But if you are starting a big renovation or expansion project, whether it’s your own property or you’re working on behalf of someone else, you need to have a plan that is set in stone before a hammer is swung.

Now, there’s not a lot that we can recommend here in terms of equipment, but the more wiggle room the plan has, the longer and more expensive the process will inevitably be. With UK COVID-19 cases on the rise, you don’t want to be halfway through a property rebuild if lockdown restrictions come back in, so don’t miss this step.

The Right Tools For The Job

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? We all know that there are some tools that are going to be essential no matter what task you’re using them for. We mentioned measuring tape and a laser distance meter earlier, but the job won’t get done without them, so it bears repeating. Every contractor or DIY enthusiast worth their salt will already have a sledgehammer, hammer and a cordless drill (with spare drill bits) in their van but think carefully about the space in which you’re working. It’s better to have a ladder and not need it than to need one and not have it. The same reasoning is why you should always make sure to take a power generator to a job and have at least one long and one short extension cord with you at all times. Are you going to need lighting for any of the areas you’re working in?

Finally, a word on safety. Goggles or glasses are vital, as are gloves. Pack spare face masks and don’t forget your hearing protection. Take more pens and pencils than you think you’ll need. You should also remember to take a vacuum cleaner, dust cloths and a push broom with you on the job. A messy workspace is an unsafe work space.