converting bungalow loft, is it going to be possible?

Doozergirl

aliby21 said:

Thank you all, this has really helped me with focusing my mind, especially at this strange in between time of year which is conducive to lots of pondering and not so conducive to action.  

It would be a long term home, so not overly concerned about whether what I do increases the value of the property, though I don't want to do things that make it difficult to sell if/when needed. Having said that it is a small property for the size of plot and could do with some changes to bring it in line with the things people now look for when house buying. 

I think if the bedrooms weren't both at the front I'd be happier.  I will have to think about how I could rearrange things.  Currently there is the kitchen and big living room with huge sliding door at the back.  But I am sure with a bit of imagination there will be a way to make it work more for me.  And at least with a bungalow I wouldn't have to worry about coping with stairs when I am old and creaking! 

Post up the floor plan.  

Plot plan would also be helpful if the plot is large.  An extension would be less disruptive, if it's needed.  

gzoom

@aliby21 This is what our 1950/60s bungalow looked like in the later 90s. The owners before us added an extension which added more space but meant we had x2 front doors and x2 stair cases with half the floor space having little natural light.





We are about 1/2 through an extensive refurbishment, including adding in a proper 1st floor. 

We could have bought a brand new detached for less spend, but the beauty of the plot is the secluded garden and total area size that a developer would try and stick 5-6 houses on if they were allowed!!!

However as others have said don't underestimate the work needed. We ended up needing essentially new foundations for 75-80% of the the existing bungalow, some ridiculous amount of steels, and the build project time line is currently 18 months from an original estimate of 8 months by the builder. 

I'm not even going to mention budget because frankly I don't even know what that means any more, total spend is going to be some 3-5 fold higher than our initial very naive guesstimate!!!

But despite the time/cost/complexity I do come back to the plot. Houses can be rebuilt, changed etc, but the plot is something you cannot change. If it's somewhere you can see your self spending the rest of your days, go for it!!! 

What we are building will outlast everyone alive today, but we get to enjoy it first:)

Andy_L

Albermarle said:

Would it not be easier and cheaper just to buy a two storey house in the first place ?

Or knock it down and build new on the site?

aliby21

thanks again everyone!
gzoom thank you it is interesting and thought provoking getting a different perspective. I've had a look at your thread - well done for having the gumption to get on and do it!
andy_L that would be a dream wouldn't it! However I think I am more Kirsty Allsop than Kevin Mcloud, both in terms of budget and the size of project I am willing to undertake. 

I have attached a plan, if anyone (doozergirl? ) would like to channel their inner Kirsty and come up with ideas for me.  (I have put in boiler and oil tank, drainage is to a septic tank (compliant) in the garden. the plots slopes so the utility is a down a couple of steps from the main building)

So far I am thinking
 - use the dining room as my bedroom with doors out and either getting rid of the carport  and having garden or turning it into a pergola with lots of plants (thanks doozergirl and twopence)
 - open up between kitchen and living room, get rid of the island, and turn that space into kitchen / dining / living area. 

There is space at the side where the carport is to extend but I am not sure I need to, it is more reconfiguring to make it more useable for me. I'd like to get in a bath (can be instead of a shower) and a separate guest toilet.  If anyone can work out how to better separate the living and sleeping areas I would be thrilled - one of the things about having bed and bath upstairs is that it makes it a private space,  so guests aren't traipsing past my bedroom to get to entertaining space (cats, so closed doors causes aggravation!).  The other thing about upstairs is getting a view - there are fields to front and the garden with wooded area at the back, with the slope the view across the fields is limited from downstairs but I think would be stunning from higher up. 

looking forward to any ideas!!!