SAM WYLIE-HARRIS FINDS OUT HOW TO MAKE A VERTICAL EXTENSION WORK FOR YOU

MOST of us will agree our homes are never big enough, so when it comes to home improvements, vertical extensions are literally high on our wish lists.

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Whether you're longing for an extra bedroom, bathroom, office or gym, this home improvement can be a game-changer.

Few people know this better than Jo Dyson, serial property renovator, co-founder of Mae House Design, and guest presenter for The Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

She has a string of renovation projects under her belt, including her South London flat which she enriched by carrying out a loft extension; along with a roof terrace and reconfigur-ing the first floor - doubling its size from 600 to 1,200 square feet.

The result? A light-filled, open-plan kitchen, living and dining area with skyline views and a sun-drenched roof terrace.

Here, Jo draws on firsthand experience, sharing her expertise on how to make a vertical extension work for you, and what to know before you start...

Don't assume you can build up

Before calling in builders, find out what your local planning authority allows...

While recent reforms have introduced permitted development rights for certain upward extensions, not all homes qualify, explains Jo.

"Flats, for example, don’t benefit from the same permitted development rights as houses - you'll still need full planning permission especially if you're changing the roof shape or adding height in a conservation area."

And if you live in a flat, she says you'll need permission from the freeholder(s) with a licence for alterations and your neighbour below to allow scaffolding in their garden.

"If you're unsure, book a pre-application meeting with your council or consult an architect familiar with local planning trends," advises the property expert.