The findings published by Sainsbury’s Home Insurance reveal that extensions to the rear and side of properties have been the most popular kind of residential extension over the past 24 months, with almost a third (31%) of those extending living space opting for one.

Conservatories are the second most popular residential extension (29 %), followed by loft extensions (15%), garage conversions (11%) and the construction of an outbuilding such as a garden room or home office (5%).

Of those who have undertaken home extensions in the past 24 months, 25% have added between 11-20 square metres  of additional living space have to their homes; 23 per cent have added 21-30sqm, and 18% have added 31sqm or more.

The findings are supported by a poll of UK builders. Among the builders surveyed, rear extensions are the most popular forms of extension in the UK, with 92% of builders having completed one in the past year. These were followed by side extensions (72%), loft extensions (54%) and garage conversions (41%).

According to the builders’ survey, rear extensions are most commonly used to accommodate bigger kitchens and kitchen diners, with 84% of builders having worked on these. Other popular purposes include additional bedrooms (61%), followed by new bathrooms and home offices (53%).

“For those who are improving and extending their homes, it’s crucial to advise their home insurance provider,” said Tom Thomson of Sainsbury’s Home Insurance.

“Making revisions to a property such as adding new rooms could change the value of the property significantly and failing to report alterations may see people left under-insured or with invalidated insurance policies.”