Removing old lean to

Motherofcelticdragons

We live in a tiny London terrace and there is a very old lean to on the back, like single brick wall, single pane glasses, plastic corrogated roof. Proper old and rubbish.

We can't afford a full ground floor extension, which we'd prefer, and we can't afford a better replacement lean to.

Would we be devaluing by just removing it?! Someone said it would be 'losing a room' and therefore devalue the property. Our intention is to fit patio doors, and use the cleared space as an actual outdoor patio space, as it gets the evening sun.

Also, is there anything to consider when removing the old fashion lean tos?! Presumably we could just do it (carefully!) ourselves?

TIA

Motherofcelticdragons

Sorry, to add: both sides of us have extensions. I would think that might help future buyers see opportunity rather than try and look past the gross lean to! 

ThisIsWeird

How large is it?

In general, tho', unless you were to do it up properly, then it will always be 'gross', unappealing and generally unusable. 

I'd remove it - and, yes, you can DIY this. Just check how it's attached to the main house - that the bricks aren't stitched in or anything. If you post photos, folk on here can advise.

Then you should have all sorts of options available, from nothing (just a patio), or roofed, framed canopies with fabric or shutter walls - that will extend your outdoor patio usage periods - to more 'garden room' type constructions. Since you'll have exterior-quality doors between it and the main house, then it won't have to conform to Building Regs. Just keep its size within Permitted Dev.

FreeBear

Although.... If you do need to apply for planning permission, it is usually easier to get a plan accepted if you are replacing an existing structure.

Oh, and do check to see if you need planning permission to demolish the existing lean-to.

Motherofcelticdragons

It's 5.3m x1.8m, not sure if that's small? But yes we would really at best be polishing a t**d, for want of a better phrase, if we do anything with it.

We got quoted for a properly insulated replacement and it was 30k (were SE London) and we just won't have that money any time soon. I figure with fitting patio doors and opening straight out, the garden will be used so much more (the kids use it, and it's a decent length)... So short term, just think it would be a better alternative to just a spider house 😂

CSI_Yorkshire

Why do you care about devaluing?  Are you planning to sell soon?

Otherwise, having the space how you want it and how you can best enjoy it is far more important than any paper valuation.

ThisIsWeird

5.3m x 1.8m is not 'small' - that's a very usable space.

Would you like to post some photos? I'm sure we could then suggest the best way forward.

What's the roof material?

ThisIsWeird

Try a Google for 'outdoor canopy' or similar. Just one example: https://www.patioandgardenshading.co.uk/products-patio-canopies#cookieagree tho' lots of much cheaper options with fabric walls.

Motherofcelticdragons

I think this will probably illustrate how it needs either proper money put into it, or pulling down!

In 2 years, when our mortgage comes back up for review, I think we'll entertain moving. The house is small for growing boys, and senior schools will be on the horizon. The 'internal' door in the picture is basical mortise lock which leads to a tiny room I use as an office. Our intention is to replace that too.

ThisIsWeird

What's at the other end? A mirror image?
And is that a dwarf wall under the windows? If so, what's it made of?
And how do you exit that lean to into the garden? Any chance of a shot from the garden, catching it all?

Motherofcelticdragons

Yep mirror image other end, and the wall outside is like the dividing wall with next door (the rest is fenced)... Just doing bedtime. Will see if I can find an image of outside...

Also, have a drain access in the lean to, and I guess what was an external (waste?) pipe? Sorry, have no building vocab!