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Frozen market sees homeowners extend rather than move

With buyer demand at its weakest in years, a growing number of homeowners in England and Wales are choosing to stay put and extend rather than move, as the sales market stalls.
Moving is increasingly expensive; Stamp Duty thresholds reverted in April 2025, leaving a buyer at £350,000 facing a £7,500 tax bill, while the HomeOwners Alliance reports average moving costs reached around £13,000 in 2026.
A strong emotional connection to the home and attachment to community outweigh financial concerns, while extensions accommodate growing families or create dedicated home offices with around 4 in 10 UK workers now remote.
Modular construction specialist Vita Modular reports builds finished in around six weeks—roughly 70% faster than traditional methods—while meeting all Building Regulations for structure and quality.
Beyond space, these steel-frame systems cut embodied carbon by about 65%, offering homeowners an environmentally conscious way to increase property value as traditional moving economics grow less inviting.

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