Extending a bungalow

Hoploz

For the cost of a loft extension (inc potentially reinforcing the foundations etc) you could probably build a good sized ground floor extension. If it's a good sized plot this would be far more attractive than the inevitable quirks of sloping ceiling etc that loft conversions produce.

PatB

Thank you all for your thoughts with this.. It's been really helpful. We love the bungalow as it stands, so if nothing changes, we would not be unhappy. However if we could improve it, that would be great for investment. The area I am looking to buy in has held its value even through the previous recession.

Thank you for all your support, once we move in I will ask a architect to come round and give some initial thoughts.

So that we can consider how to move forward with this

Wookey

You could extend out the side of the bungalow and build a 1 1/2 storey extension rather than a full 2 storey, this will depend on what you want, whats feasible and what your local planning deem as acceptable, if all the local housing are bungalows they may well not accept a 2 storey but be ok with a 1 1/2, a good local architect is the best 1st step and he should be able to advise on what the local planners will pass.

teddysmum

The people who bought my late father's detached two bedroomed bungalow have extended upwards, including a new bathroom and velux windowed bedrooms.


They got planning permission, which is amazing as it looks ugly and sticks out like a sore thumb in a row of about twenty semi or detached bungalows. It must also make the kitchen of the next bungalow dark, as the latter faces a solid two storey brick wall, just a drive's width away.

Doozergirl

You don't need to examine or strengthen foundations to convert an existing loft. I'm not sure how that became a consensus on this thread.

It is by far the cheapest way of extending a bungalow upwards. You will have to have someone check the current construction of the roof to find out how easy it would be.

Essentially, roofs are wooden structures, but the less wood up there, the better for a loft conversion.

Hoploz

I think strengthening foundations came in as the OP wondered about the possibility of building up a full second storey as another option

My current experience of cost of loft conversion tells me it's far better value to have a ground floor extension. For what I'm going to be paying out I could get a whole new ground floor room. Sadly my green belt restrictions mean I wouldn't get planning permission (

Sausage11

If you really like the plot and you can be happy with the house as it is I'd suggest living in it for some time.

Use that time to refine your thoughts and then put in plans for what you want. You may well find it's better to knock it down and rebuild from scratch as this will mean you don't have to work within the constraints of the original building.

Davesnave

Doozergirl wrote: »

You don't need to examine or strengthen foundations to convert an existing loft. I'm not sure how that became a consensus on this thread.

Partially my fault for not making it clear that a loft conversion is different from adding a whole new storey, which is what the OP said they wanted to do.

G_M

Another option is to build a 1st floor basement.........

Finacard

Hello. Do you know if they had to strengthen the foundations or not