It’s summer now, and although the northern hemisphere is enveloped in a heatwave, winter will soon be upon us. Who knows what the weather will bring by the time Christmas rolls around?

Getting your extension in before Christmas is perfectly possible. With a well-structured plan and an efficient process (along with a little luck), you’ll have everything completed and ready to go just before the cold starts to set in.

On this page, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks for getting your home extension built by Christmas, along with how we can help speed up the process. Enjoy!

Step one: Get the right drawings

The first step is designing and planning. Think about what you want the extension to look like and how it will attach to the existing building.

What type of extension will it be?

A bedroom? A bathroom? An expansion to your kitchen?

Take your time to think about these. The right extension for you won’t be the same as for your family, friends or neighbours (but don’t be afraid to ask for their advice – if you get along).

Once you have the basics in mind, even if it’s more of a concept than an image, it’s time to get the right drawings.

You’ll first need the relevant drawings and blueprints for your local planning department and builders. These also help you visualise the space better. Structural drawings and calculations will also be needed here. These ensure the extension is sturdy enough to be safe for living in.

If you want to go a step further, you could also develop 3D renderings so you can visualise what your extension will look like. These aren’t necessary, but many homeowners find this kind of thing beneficial. For example, you might notice that a cupboard will swing into a wall or that your dishwasher needs to be more central.

Step two: Select a builder

Selecting a builder goes hand-in-hand with getting planning permission and the other necessary approvals mentioned below. We’ve listed it first because contractors often have valuable insight, even when just giving quotes. When choosing a builder, you should consider several things:

• Examples of previous work
• Experience in the residential home industry
• Background checks
• Insurance coverage
• Quoted price
• Estimated timeframe

Use a local contractor wherever you can. These are almost always cheaper, and you’re contributing to the regional economy.

Don’t forget, the best builder isn’t always the cheapest. Combine all the factors mentioned above to choose the most suitable option. We’ll touch on the timeframe again in step five.

Finally, we recommend mentioning to the builder that you want the extension completed well before Christmas. If they have this objective in mind, too, you’re more likely to achieve that goal.

Step three: Obtain necessary approvals

You might not need planning permission under permitted development if you’re fortunate. This allows certain types and sizes of extensions to be constructed without going through the whole legal process with the council.

If you need planning permission, it’s time to get the necessary documentation. Consider working with an agent. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, remember that these people do this sort of thing all the time. Your chances of getting approval – and getting it quickly – are much improved and, as they say, ‘time is money’.

We can’t give you legal advice over a blog post. With that said, most councils require at least the following:

• Site plans (see step one)
• Supporting documentation (letters of intent, prior inspections, etc.)
• The completed form (or forms)
• The relevant fee

Many councils require either three, four or five copies (that is, in addition to the original) of the plans, documentation and forms. You’ll need to check the precise requirements on your local authority’s website or by giving them a call.