Cost of house enlargement: criteria for a controlled budget
The need for extra space is a common desire for many homeowners. Is this also the case for you? Whether it is to meet the needs of a growing family, create office space or simply to live more comfortably, the option of extending your home is an attractive one. It also means you don't have to move house and waste time. But before you embark on this project, it is essential to understand the costs involved in a property enlargement. As specialists in house enlargement for over 40 years, we are well aware of the costs involved and the profitability of this property investment! Let us explain.
Introduction to house enlargement: what is it for?
Redefine the space, breathe new life into your home!
A house enlargement goes far beyond adding a few square metres to your existing property. Building a house enlargement is often motivated by the need to increase living space without having to move. It is therefore a real redefinition of your living space, designed to adapt perfectly to your constantly evolving needs and lifestyle. Whether you dream of a more spacious kitchen, equipped with the latest innovations to make preparing meals easier, or a specially designed playroom for children, where they can have fun and let their imagination run free, the creation of these new spaces requires careful planning, a clear vision of the end goal and precise execution. Every detail counts, from the selection of materials to the finishing of surfaces, to ensure that the extension to your home is functional, aesthetically pleasing and perfectly integrated into the whole of your home.
In addition, it avoids the costs and inconvenience of finding a new property and moving, allowing owners to stay in their current neighbourhood, close to their social and professional networks.
From a financial point of view, an enlargement can also increase the value of the property by adding to the attractiveness and functionality of the house. Investing in a quality enlargement can offer a significant return on investment by increasing the resale value of the house. This makes the property more attractive on the market, especially if the addition significantly improves the overall lifestyle thanks to modern facilities and energy-efficient features.

Understand the different enlargement options in order to estimate the cost
An extension to your house can take many forms. It could involve adding an extra room, extending an existing living area, building a conservatory to let in more natural light, or even adding an extra floor. Each option has different financial implications, but they all offer a solution to the problem of limited space in your home.
What factors influence the cost of a house enlargement?
The size of your house enlargement
The most obvious factor to consider when planning an extension is, without doubt, the size of the extension you are considering. Each square metre you add to your project represents a significant additional cost. However, it is absolutely imperative to ensure that the size of the extension is perfectly suited to your current needs, without forgetting to take into consideration your future needs. This involves careful thought about the use of the additional space, whether to enlarge a living space, add a bedroom, or even create a home office. The key is to find an optimal balance between your aspirations, the desired functionality and the available budget.
Overall complexity of the project: materials, equipment, layout or insulation options
The complexity of the enlargement can stem from several factors, including the need to adapt to existing structures, the creation of solid foundations or compliance with specific design standards. The more complex the project, the higher the costs of labour and specialised materials. It goes without saying that if you choose to equip your home extension with top-of-the-range equipment, the bill increases accordingly.
See the inspirations
How much does a house enlargement cost? Average price ranges
It is difficult to give an exact figure for a house enlargement, given the wide variety of possible projects. Costs can vary considerably depending on the size of the extension, the materials used, and the complexity of the project. However, in general terms, we could be talking about several thousand euros for a simple extension, such as adding a bedroom or a living room, and up to thirty thousand euros or more for more complex and personalised constructions. Here are some price examples from our customers' recent projects.
Type of extension by AKENA |
Surface area of the extension |
Price including tax for the realisation (from) |
---|---|---|
Living room extension |
14 m² | 38 220€ |
Kitchen extension |
24 m² | 60 684€ |
Conservatory extension (LOFT) |
19 m² | 29 533€ |
Conservatory extension to living room (LOFT) |
20 m² | 38 464€ |
For an accurate evaluation of the cost of a house enlargement, the best way is to contact an AKENA advisor. He will provide you with a personalised quotation taking into account all the details of your project.
Common questions about the cost of house enlargement
-
What are the financing options for the enlargement of my house?
-
If the initial budget for an extension to your house seems daunting, don't worry. There are many financing options available for a project of this size, including mortgages, personal lines of credit and government grants. It is important to carefully consider each option and choose the one that best suits your financial situation and future plans. If necessary, a financial advisor can be useful to help you make the best financial decision for your project. You can also ask your AKENA advisor for personalised advice on the matter! If the extension budget seems high to you, it will also be possible to redefine your priorities to agree on a quotation that is perfectly in line with the budget you wish to allocate. It's all about planning!
-
What impact does an enlargement have on the resale value of the house?
-
A well-executed enlargement can considerably increase the resale value of a house by adding to its living space and improving its attractiveness.
Extensions such as conservatories or the addition of new rooms not only increase the usable space but can also make the house more attractive to future buyers. If the extension is built with quality materials and blends in harmoniously with the existing style of the house, it can positively influence the value estimates and attract a wider range of potential buyers.
Note: the impact on the market value of your home depends on the relevance of the extension in relation to local market expectations. An enlargement that respects or improves the energy efficiency of the house can also be a major asset. To maximise the return on investment, it is essential to plan the project carefully, taking into account local standards, existing architecture and real estate market trends in your region.
-
Are there any hidden costs that I should anticipate in an enlargement project?
-
Sometimes, when planning a house enlargement project, it is essential to take into account the ‘hidden’ costs. These are not really hidden costs, but rather costs related to unforeseen events that one would not have considered.
The costs associated with local authorisations, for example, can vary significantly depending on your region and the professional you use (such as commissioning an architect to submit the file). In addition, any project may sometimes require unexpected work on the electrical, plumbing or heating systems to comply with current building codes. We generally recommend allocating a safety margin of 5% to the total budget. This allows for unforeseen costs and ensures that the project can progress without significant financial constraints. That said, rest assured: the main role of your AKENA technical advisor is to draw up an exhaustive list of the structural constraints related to your home or land, to avoid any unforeseen issues.
-
What is the difference in cost between adding a conservatory and a full extension?
-
We are entirely dedicated to excellence, which is why we only offer top-quality products and modules on the market! After all, don't we all dream of the best, for our homes and their inhabitants?
Our commitment to excellence is emphasised by our pride in displaying Qualibat certification, a recognised symbol of our professional expertise in the field, as well as QUALICOAT certification, specifically dedicated to the high-quality treatment of aluminium surfaces. These certifications are not only emblems of our know-how, but guarantees of our ability to deliver exceptional results. As for our profiles for enlargements, they are rigorously certified by CEKAL and CSTB Conservatory, recognition marks that ensure impeccable quality of manufacture and installation. These certifications testify to our commitment to respect strict standards, thus guaranteeing the durability and aesthetics of our achievements. We are committed to maintaining this excellence and to continuing to innovate, so that each project we undertake is tangible proof of our passion for quality.
Please note: The costs mentioned in this article are only estimates and may vary depending on various factors, as previously explained. It is essential to request a free quotation from our professionals to obtain precise information about your house enlargement project! Visit the agency nearest you.
Find all the magazine's articles