Cloakroom Toilet - Worth it?

WineDarkSea

I've just had a rough quote for the installation of a toilet and sink in the small space in the under-stairs cupboard. It's a very big job as it's an internal space so will need a waste pipe installed under the floor of another room (which we are also decorating with new flooring) and hot and cold water supplies routed inside.

I'm happy with the quoted price (around £4k including plastering and decorating) but I want to get a view on whether it's worth the inconvenience and mess. We will lose a significant storage space and the height of the room is restricted due to the slope of the stairs. An average or small person will be ok to use the toilet standing but taller visitors would have to stoop or sit - or use the main bathroom.

Our home is a two bed flat, ground floor conversion, and we can't afford a larger home so an extra loo would help - we have two young daughters and this room is next to their shared bedroom so almost an ensuite for them. But is it a worthwhile investment in the property or will it be totally impractical in the eyes of potential buyers when we consider selling [STRIKE]giving up and moving out of London[/STRIKE]? There is a potential to extend later with the existing bathroom already at the rear so an extra loo makes more sense in a larger, family sized, flat.

phil24_7

Worth it? Not for me. £4k could be better spent elsewhere and storage in a flat with 2 kids must be at a premium.

casper_g

How long are you planning to live in the flat for? If you plan to stay for a long time then the decision comes down to whether you'll make good use of an additional loo and how much of your disposable income £4K represents.


If you plan to sell soon, then you might want to take more account of the effect on value and saleability. Perhaps speak to a local estate agent and see what their thoughts are, but given that this is a flat in London £4K may only represent a small percentage of the property value, say 1% or even less. If the two bedrooms are both of a decent size then the property might well appeal to families if the location is right, or to sharers. Either of these markets will appreciate a second loo. It could potentially make sense to do the work, if you ask me.

Grenage

For me, 4k for a downstairs toilet in a house is well worth it. In a flat, not so bothered, and personal choice as to the cost.

If I was comparing two homes for purchase, and one had a cloakroom but was 5k more, I'd pay the extra 5k.

dominoman

I would say well well worth it. Having an extra toilet in the house will be a massive benefit to you, and when you sell it could easily add 5-10% to the value of the flat.

Do it do it.

d0nkeyk0ng

One of the criteria I had when buying our first home was a downstairs toilet. I'd get it done.

Andypandyboy

Surely, if it is a flat it is on one floor and so the existing toilet is on the same floor as the proposed new loo?

AnnieO1234

As far as I'm concerned more than one loo is a necessity not a luxury. (At least here in the UK, I do realise how awful it sounds on a global scale).

The older your daughters get while you're there, the more awkward the loo will become - especially following any umm scents from dad shall we say. Mortally embarrassing for tween and teen girls.

In any event, life is busy, at least with another toilet people aren't stuck in a queue before getting out the door.

Xxx

27col

I wouldn't consider even buying a house unless it had a downstairs toilet or at least space to be able to install one. There is potential for huge embarrassment and inconvenience in a house with only one toilet. Excuse the pun.

getmore4less

What's the place worth, in London small things can change the popularity of a place enough to shift prices.

Would the cloak make the future extension options more flexible if doing work that makes the plumbing easier now, then do it.

4people one facility, you will get significant benefit from a second.

getmore4less

No more give it 10. Except curry night.