How do we find out if we Can extend over our Kitchen?

beachbeth

Im not sure if Ive posted this on the right board so please feel free to move, Mods.

We are selling our house and one potential buyer loves the property but is a bit concerned about the size of the 2 smaller bedrooms. We have a kitchen with a flat roof which we extended ourselves about 20 years ago and the bedrooms would have to be extended over this.

Trouble is, we honestly can't remember if we originally made it so that the kitchen could be extended over (I think its to do with whatever foundations they put in?). We also can't remember what the name of the architect is who did it and also the builder who did is would either have died or be retired by now. Is there a way to find out? Also, how much more expensive does it make it if the foundations need changing to accommodate the upstairs extension (hope all this makes sense!)

Will_it_make_me_rich

So you haven't kept any copies of the plans to put in the deeds.
Anyway a builder should be able to tell you if you can build above it, they'll probably dig a hole next to the extension to check the foundations as well.
Depth of foundations can vary depending on ground, trees etc.
Being able to build above an extension is only half the fight getting permission is somethimes a harder one.

beachbeth

I always keep plans and important papers like this but I just cannot for the life of me find the plans for this extension!!! It was done over 20 years ago and I just can't remember what happened! I have the plans for another extension we had done a few years after but not this particular extension (typical!).

I have rung the council and they told me to write them a letter explaining what information I wanted. They will then physically go and find the original plans in their archive and will ring me to let me know. I then have the option of obtaining a copy for £26. Of course, even if the footings aren't deep enough to take an extension upstairs a builder can, as you said above, dig a trench and make the footings deeper in order to make the work possible.

I have rung our Estate Agent and asked them to pass this information on to the prospective buyer. Of course, the biggest hurdle is getting planning permission. I can't see there being a problem because next door have a huge pitched roof over their kitchen which will almost take up the same amount of room as the proposed extension and they received permission for that.

Nothing is guaranteed of course but at least the buyer will know that an extension is physically possible.

Debt_Free_Chick

beachbeth wrote: »

Of course, even if the footings aren't deep enough to take an extension upstairs a builder can, as you said above, dig a trench and make the footings deeper in order to make the work possible.

I don't think that's what was said. You can't make footings deeper. If they're not deep enough, they'll need to demolish what's there and build from scratch (just done this :mad:)

Phil_rich

As said any builder or better still a structural engineer should be able to tell you what is possible.

It is possible the underpin the existing foundations if they are not adequate but it is probably cheaper to dig them out and redo.