Extend or move? Weighing up the costs

Need more space but love where you live? How the costs and benefits of extending compare with moving house.

When a home starts to feel too small, the choice is usually between moving and extending. For many families in our villages and towns, extending wins: you keep the location, schools and neighbours you love and get a home designed around you.

• Stamp duty on the new home
• Estate agent, solicitor and survey fees
• Removals, and often new furniture and decoration
• Upgrades to the new house, which rarely suits you perfectly

Money spent extending goes into your own home rather than fees. A well-designed extension adds space exactly where you need it, and extra bedrooms, bathrooms and open-plan kitchens tend to add value too.

If your plot is very small, the house has major structural issues, or you need to relocate anyway, moving can be the better choice. Otherwise, extending is often the best way to get the home you want without leaving the place you love.