£67,031.92 is a frightening number indeed....

Cherryfudge

Sleep on it - sometimes that helps. And perhaps over time some other plan will come to mind. Could you go upwards instead of sideways, convert a garage, make a 'teenagers' room' out of a summer house in the garden?

Suffolk_lass

I would reflect on what it is you really need from the extension you are planning and reflect on innovative ways that this could be delivered.

As examples, my husband (an industrial designer) designed a corner en-suite for some friends (it was half of hexagon with the middle panel as the door, a corner quadrant shower, small wash hand-basin and macerating toilet) within a good sized second bedroom. It did need them to reduce their personal storage in the cupboards in that room and for the bed to turn 90 degrees but it is a guest suite for them, not their main room. They have also built in really accessible storage under their stairs, with slide out flush multi-door compartments of varying heights to maximise the usability of that space - try googling "under stairs storage solutions".

I seem to recall you want to give your children more privacy and gender separation as they grow older - maybe consider something like this image https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a1/fc/79/a1fc79a7827e71a3922a184e4d3d9647--space-saving-bedroom-furniture-childrens-bedroom-furniture.jpg but with the division being from either side of the two levels (so one child has a cabin bed on their side that is higher and the other has a lower cabin from the other side of the wall - think vertical wall like a vertical lightning bolt). If you have the biggest bedroom, maybe swap to the second one and make three smaller children' spaces within the options the planners are offering.

As you have already said, the cost of moving is considerable, it often ends up with the realisation that your replacement needs masses of work to get it how you want it.... lots of examples among diaries of this on these forums. Don't be disheartened, get innovative.

enthusiasticsaver

That is a shame about the extension not being exactly what you need or want. Are you trying to gain just another bedroom or more living space too? I agree with Suffolk think long and hard about moving as the new house will probably need money spending too and your budget is still very tight.

arsenalbarnie

Oh what a pain. Our family business is property developing and the planners really p** us off at times. Even more annoying when you see some of the eyesores they do allow. Does part of your plan involve extending the ground floor? Is your house a bungalow with dormer (from memory)? Just that a house with dormer upstairs near us is for sale and they have added a bedroom with ensuite downstairs at the back. v nice too. Will try and dm you the link for it.

Treadingonplaymobil

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

That is a shame about the extension not being exactly what you need or want. Are you trying to gain just another bedroom or more living space too? I agree with Suffolk think long and hard about moving as the new house will probably need money spending too and your budget is still very tight.

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

I would reflect on what it is you really need from the extension you are planning and reflect on innovative ways that this could be delivered.

As examples, my husband (an industrial designer) designed a corner en-suite for some friends (it was half of hexagon with the middle panel as the door, a corner quadrant shower, small wash hand-basin and macerating toilet) within a good sized second bedroom. It did need them to reduce their personal storage in the cupboards in that room and for the bed to turn 90 degrees but it is a guest suite for them, not their main room. They have also built in really accessible storage under their stairs, with slide out flush multi-door compartments of varying heights to maximise the usability of that space - try googling "under stairs storage solutions".

I seem to recall you want to give your children more privacy and gender separation as they grow older - maybe consider something like this image https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a1/fc/79/a1fc79a7827e71a3922a184e4d3d9647--space-saving-bedroom-furniture-childrens-bedroom-furniture.jpg but with the division being from either side of the two levels (so one child has a cabin bed on their side that is higher and the other has a lower cabin from the other side of the wall - think vertical wall like a vertical lightning bolt). If you have the biggest bedroom, maybe swap to the second one and make three smaller children' spaces within the options the planners are offering.

As you have already said, the cost of moving is considerable, it often ends up with the realisation that your replacement needs masses of work to get it how you want it.... lots of examples among diaries of this on these forums. Don't be disheartened, get innovative.

Cherryfudge wrote: »

Sleep on it - sometimes that helps. And perhaps over time some other plan will come to mind. Could you go upwards instead of sideways, convert a garage, make a 'teenagers' room' out of a summer house in the garden?

Thanks for your thoughts. I emailed the architect in a flap about it yesterday and he’s said he doesn’t think it’s that bad really, perfectly manageable, although the price per sqm might be a fraction higher.

Moving really would be an absolutely last resort, and would have to be several years away - as you say, there would inevitably be spending on any new house and we just can’t justify moving costs plus spending on new place.

I think we just need to be more creative with whatever space we can get. If it means three bedrooms rather than four (ie the boys sharing), or slightly less living space, we’ll just need to be clever to make the most of it. Financially I still think staying put and making this place work is the best of the available options.

Treadingonplaymobil

Week 51: Day 1

Morning! Just wanted to pop in on the first day of a new week.

Thanks again for the extension chat (and link, Arsenalbarnie, which I will look at properly at home). We are trying to gain two extra bedrooms upstairs (one simply by dividing the huge master bedroom, which the children currently share) and possibly an upstairs toilet, but I'm not wedded to that. Downstairs we want a single storey extension with family bathroom and larger kitchen/diner area.

DH needs to go food shopping today, but it's looking like (finally) being a <£50 one, as we have so many leftovers in the freezer. Mostly fruit, veg, flour for bread, milk etc.

No major horrifying spends this weekend so far, which is good - I don't think DH's were too ridiculous. Nearly at the end of the month!

Savings/Spends:
- January 'rounding down' overpayment pot = £4.87/£8 (£30 per month pro rata for the rest of Jan )
- 2018 debt repayment goal = £656.48/£5,000
- £?? spends yesterday by DH with the children and his friend. I think he paid entry to an attraction and maybe a cafe. Will see when it clears from the account tomorrow.
- £9.50 extra food bits needed for dinner time at friends' house.

To do today
1. Plan week's work.
2. Clear work emails.
3. Finish contract work.

To do this week
1. More decluttering - particularly the lego!
2. Brainstorm ideas for architect - particularly in the light of the new extension information from the planners.
3. Finish planning any handmade gifts for birthdays/Christmas 2018 so I can ensure they are done well in advance.
4. Plan and book some campsites for summer hols.
5. Do birthday cards for the month.

To do in January
1. Review 2017 spending and try to improve 2018 plans by being more prepared - plan big spends like holidays and Christmas now and be realistic about the cost. Done with DH before doing SOA.
2. Redo SOA once the remortgage is through. Done.
3. Make a 2018 business plan that is less frenetic than originally (I think I had too high expectations of myself, leading to much stress in Nov/Dec). Done.

Treadingonplaymobil

Because I am a total idiot, I somehow did our 2018 SOA with the wrong (too high) number for DH's salary. I have redone it with some minor shifts - upped my income to £250 (from £200. Boohoo. Not as high as it was, but higher than I wanted) and cutting a few categories like extensions savings. Fingers crossed for some unexpected extra income here and there throughout the year. I have adjusted the pots in my business account to up my salary to £250, which means I don't have as much saved for April as previously thought, but at least still have all of Feb and March ready to do. My furthest ahead confirmed booking is still late Feb (although am waiting for payment for a booking for early March) so still scope to earn a bit in Feb and a fair bit in March if the bookings come in.

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 3
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 2869.87
Partners monthly income after tax....... 250
Benefits................................ 192.4
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 3312.27

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 702
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 141
Electricity............................. 49.84
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 95
Telephone (land line)................... 18.99
Mobile phone............................ 102
TV Licence.............................. 12.12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 400
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 225
Road tax................................ 16.62
Car Insurance........................... 32.74
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 42
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 50
Childcare/nursery....................... 20
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 5
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 31.84
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 16.26
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 20
Entertainment........................... 150
Holiday................................. 75
Emergency fund.......................... 30
(Unnamed monthly expense)............... 0
Pipsticks............................... 15
Extension fund.......................... 280
YNAB.................................... 3
National Trust.......................... 9.6
Birthdays............................... 60
Christmas............................... 90
Swimming lessons........................ 34
Piano lessons........................... 35
Cubs and Beavers........................ 30
Pocket money............................ 5
House bits.............................. 15
Children's clothes...................... 60
My kitty................................ 20
DH kitty................................ 40
iCloud.................................. 6.99
Netflix................................. 5.99
Total monthly expenses.................. 2944.99


Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 225000
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 500
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 225500


Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 193000...(702)......2.19
Total secured & HP debts...... 193000....-.........-

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Partnership card...............2837.81...72........18
Barclaycard....................12572.4...295.......0
Parental loan..................20000.....0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........35410.21..367.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 3,312.27
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 2,944.99
Available for debt repayments........... 367.28
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 367
Amount left after debt repayments....... 0.28

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 225,500
Total HP & Secured debt................. -193,000
Total Unsecured debt.................... -35,410.21
Net Assets.............................. -2,910.21

Created using the SOA calculator at https://www.stoozing.com.
Reproduced on Moneysavingexpert with permission, using other browser.

enthusiasticsaver

Is a double storey extension too expensive?

Treadingonplaymobil

Yes, I think so, although the architect has suggested considering it. The good thing about the dormer plus single storey is that we can do the really pressing bit (bedroom/privacy space) next year and hold off on the single storey bit if budgets are too tight. I'm hoping the architect will be able to give us slightly more accurate estimates of the price per sqm of a double storey vs the dormer plus single storey.

enthusiasticsaver

Good soa but tight. I would try and trim that groceries to £350 and up emergency fund to £80 to stop you being tempted to dip into extension savings. Seems a shame after all you have sacrificed with consolidating on to your mortgage not to see any benefit.