Adding a window to a bathroom

dhokes

I'm thinking about purchasing my first home and I've found a potential 2 bedroom purchase which is a new build. Some are off plan, some have started to be built. One thing that bugs me about it is that the bathroom upstairs doesn't have a window.

How easy/difficult would it be for a builder to add a window to it? How much could I expect to pay for it? I'm based in the East Midlands.

Furts

Impossible to say, but perhaps it will cost a few thousands. You will have to apply for Planning, then for Buildings Regulations.

The work will require scaffolding, a skip, matching bricks, a lintel, a window and making good inside the bathroom - plastering and perhaps a re-tile of the bathroom.

So not a quick and simple job.

Hoploz

I knocked a window in to a room once and it cost about £1000. There was a lot of mess and my neighbour wasn't very happy as it was on the side and we could see into his garden a bit, but it was PD so there was nothing they could do about it. The room was a spare bedroom, hardly used, so we didn't take full advantage of our wonderful view of their washing line.

I am wondering why there wasn't a window in this bathroom in the first place. Seems a bit unusual if the room has an outside wall.

dhokes

Hoploz wrote: »

I am wondering why there wasn't a window in this bathroom in the first place. Seems a bit unusual if the room has an outside wall.

Yes, seems slightly odd. The house I'm looking at is terraced, and since they all have the same layout, with the bathroom on the side, only one of the houses in the line can actually have a window in the bathroom. It would have been nice if they had planned that.

Owain_Moneysaver

if it's an upstairs bathroom a light pipe through the roof might be less disruptive.

27col

We've managed quite well without a bathroom window since we built the house in 1977. I really don't know why people think that they must have one.
When you go into a windowed bathroom at night, you put the light on, because it's dark in there.
Well it's the same thing in a bathroom without a window. Except you do it every time you use it.

dhokes

I'm not too bothered about the light. I'm more concerned about the ventilation and the possibility of dampness in the future.

Hoploz

Yes a window is definitely better for ventilation, as well as just natural light.

I'd say it's definitely a possible if it's end terrace. But lots of mess remember, are you redoing the bathroom? Might need to afterwards!

dhokes

Hoploz wrote: »

Yes a window is definitely better for ventilation, as well as just natural light.

I'd say it's definitely a possible if it's end terrace. But lots of mess remember, are you redoing the bathroom? Might need to afterwards!

Well I haven't purchased the property yet so I'm considering my options. I could try to make an offer before the builders start work and try to change the plans (which I'm guessing would be unlikely) or maybe make an offer without the bathroom fittings.

PasturesNew

27col wrote: »

I really don't know why people think that they must have one.

I find bathrooms without a window a bit "creepy" to use
The ventilation fans petrify me, so I can't use them.
I also worry in case there's a power failure and I'm plunged into darkness mid-shower/whatever.... at least with a window there's some chance it might let some light in.

There are many reasons people like to have a window in a bathroom.

Silver-Surfer_2

dhokes wrote: »

Well I haven't purchased the property yet so I'm considering my options. I could try to make an offer before the builders start work and try to change the plans (which I'm guessing would be unlikely) or maybe make an offer without the bathroom fittings.

So this is a new build?