Downstairs loo

strawb_shortcake

We are now finally able to start looking for our onward purchase in earnest. 

We are looking for a 3 bed in 5 mile radius of where we are, it must have a garage or room to build one and a downstairs loo for a disabled parent when they visit.

The downstairs loo seems to be a bit elusive, even in houses that should have had one built due to building regulations they have been removed.

I could go higher, but our agreed max budget is £350k but this needs to be perfect. This will only take our mortgage to £85k but I'm risk adverse and would like the mortgage paid off in around 10 years.

I feel I'm quite flexible in terms of location and I'm not convinced it's a budget issue as there are houses for as low as £250k for 3 bed houses in our chosen area with either a garage or downstairs loo. 

However, I guess I am going to have to consider compromises, 

A small extension would be possible if we go cheaper subject to space and planning permission.

But are there any other options I may not have considered? 

Not sure we could do without?? Can we?

Commode is tempting as is a camping toilet but not sure that'll be an all round winner...

A stair lift seems an extreme option as they don't visit a huge amount as is.

Anything else we could consider?? 


We have two viewings booked in less than two hours of it going on the market which took us a little by surprise. I'll assume it's marketed in the right ball park 

silvercar

If downstairs loos have been removed, it shouldn’t be that difficult to be reinstated as the plumbing will be in place even if currently closed off.

strawb_shortcake

silvercar said:

If downstairs loos have been removed, it shouldn’t be that difficult to be reinstated as the plumbing will be in place even if currently closed off.

From the ones I've seen it appears they've been removed for an extension to incorporate a larger kitchen 

Emmia

strawb_shortcake said:

silvercar said:

If downstairs loos have been removed, it shouldn’t be that difficult to be reinstated as the plumbing will be in place even if currently closed off.

From the ones I've seen it appears they've been removed for an extension to incorporate a larger kitchen 

So they can be reinstated, but at the expense of kitchen space.

Archergirl

I'd go with the commode somewhere private, how often to they visit?

Albermarle

A small extension would be possible if we go cheaper subject to space and planning permission.

Building extensions has become significantly more expensive in the last 4 or 5 years, so make sure you are fully aware of what the cost might be when doing your calculations.

strawb_shortcake

Archergirl said:

I'd go with the commode somewhere private, how often to they visit?

That's what we're thinking, they are generally here all day Christmas day, not overnight, but otherwise once a month max for an hour or so. 

I could always cook at theirs Christmas day instead. My children are getting older and may not allveven be home Christmas either 

strawb_shortcake

Emmia said:

strawb_shortcake said:

silvercar said:

If downstairs loos have been removed, it shouldn’t be that difficult to be reinstated as the plumbing will be in place even if currently closed off.

From the ones I've seen it appears they've been removed for an extension to incorporate a larger kitchen 

So they can be reinstated, but at the expense of kitchen space.

I struggle to visualise but yes I guess that is an option 

Tabieth

Two loos for a three bed house seems a decent ratio. I’d be looking for a downstairs loo as well, or for somewhere where one can be installed / re-installed. It will add value to the house and, more importantly, make for a more comfortable place to live in / to visit. 

A commode / comping toilet would be ok as a temporary measure while building works happens but I don’t think it’s a solution. It would likely lack privacy and dignity for the person using it (who is going to empty the commode? - if it’s for someone who can’t get upstarts it likely won’t be them). 

strawb_shortcake

Tabieth said:

Two loos for a three bed house seems a decent ratio. I’d be looking for a downstairs loo as well, or for somewhere where one can be installed / re-installed. It will add value to the house and, more importantly, make for a more comfortable place to live in / to visit. 

A commode / comping toilet would be ok as a temporary measure while building works happens but I don’t think it’s a solution. It would likely lack privacy and dignity for the person using it (who is going to empty the commode? - if it’s for someone who can’t get upstarts it likely won’t be them). 

It would be me or my Husband to empty it, said person who downstairs loo is for keeps telling us not to worry about a downstairs loo, but I think we'd miss it too even though there are only 3 of us at home now and we'll be down to 2 in two years time.

If we buy in the same town as the parents we could probably be a little laxer. 
Having always had upstairs and downstairs loos I really didn't think they'd be so hard to find.

strawb_shortcake

Albermarle said:

A small extension would be possible if we go cheaper subject to space and planning permission.

Building extensions has become significantly more expensive in the last 4 or 5 years, so make sure you are fully aware of what the cost might be when doing your calculations.

Yes, we have a current neighbour who's a builder so we'd have to speak to them. We also have a friend that bought a project just before prices shot up so they found it far more expensive than anticipated