Turning a bedroom into en-suite - how difficult?

dan_first_time_buyer

Hi.

I have seen this house in London. The floorplan is pretty typical - the first floor has got 3 bedrooms (one of which is pretty small) and a bathroom.

I was thinking of potentially turning the small bedroom into an en-suite with direct access from the adjacent bigger bedroom.

Is that something I need planning permission for?

Has somebody done a similar work? What kind of money would that cost to create that additional bathroom and create an entrance from the adjacent bedroom? Obviously, I am just asking for a ballpark figure.

Thanks.

EDIT: based on diggingdude's comment, the reason I would like to do it is the following: I would need to find a lodger but I would like to have my own bathroom. This new en-suite room would become my room.

diggingdude

wouldn't a 3 bed be worth more than a 2 bed when selling? how small is the room?

dan_first_time_buyer

That is true. However, I would need to find a lodger but I would like to have my own bathroom. This new en-suite room would become my room.

Does it make sense? Have I been silly here?

The room is very small, there is space for just a single bed and wardrobe.

AdrianC

Not that hard at all. The interior walls are probably just studwork, so it's the work of an hour or three to make a new doorway and close off the old.

The big question... How near's the wannabe-bathroom to water and waste?

dan_first_time_buyer

Thanks AdrianC.

Good point. I don't think it is that close.

The other bathroom is opposite from the stairs. Also the kitchen is downstairs under the existing bathroom.

Would it be still doable?

AdrianC

It's always doable. But it increases the complexity - and so cost. Hot and cold water need feeding to it, waste needs taking away. Water in goes both up and down, waste only goes down.

And if you want a bog in there (which, of course, you do) as well as sink/shower, it gets even more complex, because that's a BIG pipe...
Unless you're happy with a mincer bog, which they'll tell you only needs a normal waste pipe. Just - don't...

DCFC79

Ask a few builders for a price on the work.

babyblade41

From about 2k to 10k and beyond.. waste water and where it goes now etc ,etc
Get a builder in to go through it all and give you a quote

phill99

I fit kitchens and bathrooms for a living.


Getting water into the new bathroom is quite straightforward.


The biggest problem is getting rid of the waste.


You either have a standard 4" waste (which is normally the preferred option) or you have to have a Saniflow (which are the foulest machines in Christendom and were invented by the French and exported here as retribution for Waterloo and Agincourt).


You need a plumber / builder involved to look at the complexities (and it ill be complex, especially if your existing bathroom is at the opposite end of the house.

AnotherJoe

This is probably the wrong house for you. Keep looking.

dan_first_time_buyer

AnotherJoe, I was thinking exactly the same.