If you’re looking to add value to your home, an expert has shared the one thing you can do that will increase your property value, but there’s an important consideration you’ll need to bear in mind. Some ways of adding value to your home can be hit or miss, but for a fail-safe bet, you should consider making this change to your property.

Single-storey extensions are a great way to increase your home's worth, and they are a common addition to many homes in the UK. However, experts at Terraquest say you may need planning permission. One of the most frequently asked questions relating to planning permissions concerns single-storey extensions.

Single-storey extensions are among the most popular ways to add extra space and value to a house, and there are two types – either wrapping around the property or extending at the rear.

According to Checkatrade, a single-story extension can increase the value of your home by 5% to 8%.

For those looking to undertake this form of home improvement project, it can be difficult to understand the planning rules and building guidelines you must follow.

John Van Eker, Principal Planning Officer from TerraQuest, has answered some of the most common queries relating to planning permission and building regulation.

He says, “When looking to add a single-storey extension to your home, the first thing you need to understand is whether you require planning permission.

“Rules known as permitted development rights allow homeowners to extend their house without needing to submit a planning application providing if specific conditions are met.

“This only applies to houses and does not include flats, maisonettes or converted homes such as some barn conversions.

“Typically, a single-storey rear extension cannot extend beyond the rear wall of the original property by more than four metres for a detached home and three metres for semi or attached homes to be considered permitted development.”

He adds that if the homeowner would like to extend further, they will need to apply for ‘prior approval’ or ‘householder planning permission’ through the Planning Portal site.

Although a single-storey extension may not require planning permission, most will need building regulation approval, known as ‘building control’.

It is up to the local authority to determine if the proposed plans align with safety standards.

If you’re thinking about making this change to your home, you should consider the size, style and exact design of the extension, for example, whether you want to make an extension or a conservatory.

Adding a single-storey extension could have major benefits for your home, from increased value to more space, so it’s worth considering.