SLLM (Single Lady Large Mortgage)

slm6002

You could get a seperate utility /laundry room (thats what ive always wanted - quite sad i know lol).  I think if you are going to the effort of building it its probably worth getting both bath and shower.  Although if i was to build i would probably only get a shower lol.  Is your bedroom big enough to perhaps squeeze one in without extension - Any cupboards that could be moved to provide extra space?

Sistergold

@slm6002
Wanting a utility room is not sad at all it is also one of the things on my priority list and it will be part of the general plans I am going to have but on a different aspect of the house, so at the front I need an extension for a dinning room open to kitchen, then at the back of the garage I hope for an extension for a utility room then on the side of the house to my bedroom the extension I was talking about in the above post.
I have toyed with the idea of adding an en-suite to the bedroom as it is but am not sure about that as I will then reduce wardrobe space and in as much as I dream of becoming averagely minimalist I am not one yet and I do need lots of space and thus the reason for a walk in wardrobe. 

One of the houses in my street does have an en-suite to our current size bedroom but he is a single man who bought the house same time as me en-suite was already there and he is alone in the four bedroom house so I think he has Plenty of space all round?! Am really confused what to do? 

HelloB

I agree with @slm6002! 

In fact in my old house, I paid for an architect and a builder to help draw up plans and cost up a double storey side extension over the garage and existing single storey extension.  The main cost is ensuring the foundation is strong enough to support 2 storeys.  Additional space is fairly reasonable.  Also looked at converting the basement storage area into a kitchen which would open up to the garden. 3 years ago the cost of the architect was £1.5k for plans drawn up, ready for application for planning permission.  Rough estimates was £80-100k for the double storey (to add an extra bedroom with big ensuite and walk in wardrobe) then convert the garage into a play room/office.  The basement would cost extra with around £25-30k just for excavation, as it isn't 2.2m head height.  The cost kept going up, so I abandoned plans.

Sistergold

Master bedroom size

Sistergold

What was done in one of the houses 

becksport

Hi Sistergold and slm6002, 

I have completed a lot of renovations on my property. Whilst I was struggling to pay off my mortgage I did smaller renovations like adding a porch which keeps all the shoes and coats neat and tidy and doubling the size of the kitchen and adding a breakfast bar to make our life more comfortable. 

Since paying the mortgage off I completed a loft conversion. This is the best thing I did - now I am on the 3rd floor and the noise my children make later on the evening/night when they have friends round or come home in the early hours and it does not disturb me. A loft conversion does not need planning permission as it can just be done with building regulations under permitted development. I now have 3 double bedrooms and a bathroom in my loft. I decided against an en-suite as I have the whole floor anyway unless we have visitors. It could easily be changed in a master suite with walk in wardrobe and another double bedroom with en-suite. Since seeing my loft conversion 3 of my neighbours have now done the same using my builder. Having another floor makes such a difference to how the whole house feels more so than a side or rear extension.

Is this something you could do? Another bedroom/s with an ensuite/walk in wardrobe would add more value to the house and probably cost less than a brick 2 storey extension. 

slm6002 - could you do a loft conversion to get your extra bedroom?

The next year I replaced the conservatory with a brick built sun room - again I did not need planning permission for this or an architect as I only went out 3 metres which is also done under permitted development. At the time I knew I was putting planning permission in for a 3 storey side extension but held off doing that till I had built the sun room as otherwise the planners would want me to lump it together and I would require planning permission.

You are allowed to build a certain percentage of the house square footage under permitted development rules unless if effects the front look of the house.

For my 3 storey side extension I used an architect my builder recommended and we submitted a planning application. This got turned down so we had a meeting with the planners who said they didn't want me going up to the boundary line because if next door built a side extension then we would get a terraced effect instead of being semi detached. There are lots of houses round here that both sides have built on which are now 'terraced' but the council were not willing to grant mine. They also wanted the second storey set back from the front of the house which means you lose some floor space on the second floor as it can't go the front of the house like the ground floor. Most councils want this so it does look like an extension and not part of the original house. My council wanted me to do a double storey rear extension over the side extension but I refused as my garden is not that big and as the house would now be 6 double bedrooms it lends it self to families. I submitted a revised plan with these 2 changes and it was approved. The extension was finished in Nov last year.

I would start by finding a decent builder and getting quotes for the extension and possibly loft conversion if you can go down that route. Once you have found a decent builder and they agree/advise what you can do then they should be able to recommend an architect. You can have a chat with the council prior to submitting any planning as to what they want and are likely to accept. Have a look at what extensions have been done in your area and what applications have been approved or in progress with your council - this can be done online on the council's website.

Always make sure you know what is included in the quote. My builder quoted for everything apart from flooring, painting and furniture. I bought all the bathroom fitments but he fitted them and I paid for chrome switches etc as only white were included etc. By me buying all the fitments it saved me money.

I must say my builder is absolutely fantastic and would never rip me off - in fact he did a lot of work and refused to charge me. I got all the work done for really good prices which is why I did it all. If you are going to build my advice is to go as big as possible as you will paying thousands out anyway.

Hope this helps.

Sistergold

The above approach will mean bedroom becomes narrower and no walk-in? Where that other house en-suite is, is where I have built in wardrobe and where their wardrobes are in my bedroom it’s just space where I have put a chest of drawers. 

Sistergold

@becksport
Thank you very much what you have said there truly helps. I just need all the contributions I can get before I start any part of this process. 

I do love my house but unfortunately I can not even stand much in the loft so unless one gets permission to add more height as in whole house bricks and all new roof etc , in my close no one can do a loft conversion. The space is just usable for storage as I boarded it up but I have to crawl around in the loft except right in the middle where I still have to be bent over and I am 5ft4 so not tall.

The only increase I can do space wise is through an extension. 

Sistergold

@HelloB
Thank you for the feedback with those possible costs. Many things I have also started all enthusiastic and then when all the costs are added up I just abandon! It’s good to know though just in case one day we can afford! 

becksport

@Sistergold

That's a real shame as that would be the easiest and cheapest option. If the height isn't there you won't be able to change it. 

The side extension seems the way forward. Get some builders quotes before you do anything. The cost may outweigh what you would get back if you were to sell but you are in London so it may not and this is your home so sometimes sale ability doesn't come in to the decision.