Converting a 1 bed tenement

xglasgowgirlx

Hi,

I am looking for some advice on a rough cost and if there would be a requirement for planning permission to convert our one bedroom tenement flat in Glasgow to 2 beds.

I would be looking to convert the large kitchen/diner at the back of the property into a second bedroom and use the recesses in the kitchen and living room to create an internal kitchen which you would access from the hallway.

Has anyone on here done this or is able to relate to my query? I'm hoping this would be more cost effective than trying to sell and buy a bigger place!

Any replies are much appreciated!

Thanks

googler

Are you on the ground floor, top, or somewhere inbetween?

It goes without saying that any work you do CANNOT destabilise those above you. You really don't want the upstairs neighbours knocking on your door in a year's time saying they've got cracks appearing in their walls.

Whether you need planning - contact the planning dept at the council.

There'll be a lot of rerouting of pipework, and you will need an extractor fan for the internal kitchen, that's no doubt stipulated by building regulations.

Look up the council's planning website for previous applns to do the same, see if there are any planning consultants mentioned in these applns, google the planning consultant and see if you can get a free consultation to start with.

Can't help you with the cost. Ask a builder or two.

weeg

When I looked into this about 5 years ago, the cost was in the region of £8k. The costs to get planning and building warrant will be in the region of £1000, I think (architect to do the drawings and deal with the application for you, council fees, structural engineer).

The planning department at GCC have always been really helpful when I've spoken to them. Give them a call and ask for advice. It's a really common conversion (as you no doubt know) so any domestic architect will probably have done this before.

xglasgowgirlx

I'm on the second floor, there are 3 floors in total and 2 other flats in the building have already been converted a few years back. Thanks, I'll give the Council Planning department a call and see if they can help. I would really like I get a rough cost and then a valuation on the property to give me an estimate of a value once the work is complete to see if it's a financially viable option for us. Would any estate agent come out and do this? Thanks

beecher2

You could look at www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices.html for an idea of what nearby flats have gone for - you can often find the EA details online too. Or just have a look at the flats for sale just now for a rough idea.

I live in Shawlands and there isn't a great deal of difference in prices between most 1 beds with large kitchens and 2 beds with internal ones. Personally I always think it is a real shame to lose the amazing kitchens the traditional tenements have.

Think about where your boiler is going to go - I know a lot of people put off 2 beds where the boiler is in one of the bedrooms.

xglasgowgirlx

Yeah I would want to move the boiler probably so would need to find out where else it could go.

I would definitely miss my big kitchen/diner but with a baby in the house now something has to give! It's either that or try to sell it and buy a house. Converting seems to be the cheaper option just now.

beecher2

Have a few friends who have the opening to the kitchen in the living room rather than the hall - has its pros and cons but something else to think about.

Strapped

beecher2 wrote: »

Have a few friends who have the opening to the kitchen in the living room rather than the hall - has its pros and cons but something else to think about.

And definitely better than opening off the 2nd bedroom as in the example above!

beecher2

Strapped wrote: »

And definitely better than opening off the 2nd bedroom as in the example above!

That's mad - didn't notice that. Maybe that's why it isn't much more expensive than the 1 bed.

carefullycautious

Why can't you have the lounge in bedroom 2 with kitchen off and push wall forward to create a bigger kitchen. Lounge then becomes master bedroom.

If you look at existing lounge it goes into a recess that if blocked off creates a bigger kitchen leading from bedroom 2 of rear. Hope that makes sense

gordonu2

Hi, I was thinking of converting a flat in Pollockshaws rd from a 1 bed to a 2 bed and wondered if you got around to doing yours? And what were the costs and if you think it was worth it? Any advise appreciated. Thanks