Really struggling whether to do a loft extension or buy a bigger place. Need the opinion of others!

JadeHighland

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81991421#Comment_81991421

I'm tall but will be able to stand in most of it. Been into my neighbours and it works fine for me

Sketch below. Start to lose head room around 2/3 into the room.

JadeHighland

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81991542#Comment_81991542

Good sized garden and not too worried about schools. Area is okay, happy here. Somewhat quiet and very easy to get around. Zone 6 but in London well within the hour for example.

koalakoala

Would be a move to a bigger house with drive for me

Titus_Wadd

Have a look locally at houses in your approximate price range and if you schmooze a keen estate agent they might let you view a couple if they believe you're likely to list yours with them if he shows you your dream house.

The upheaval of moving house, to me, is far less daunting than the upheaval of living in building site.

When we last moved, in 2019, the houses easiest to ditch from our short-listed viewings were those extended or otherwise converted, such as garages into living rooms or downstairs bedrooms and loft rooms. Generally the purpose built 4 bed houses sold more quickly than those converted to have the same accommodation and in the end we didn't want the compromise. The proportions were just better.

Some extended houses we viewed were solitary extended to 4 beds, marooned among 2 and 3 beds which might not be perceived as as desirable and might not sell as quickly. These are all highly subjective, possibly superficial, even shallow thought-processes but might help you compare what your house might become with other house options...not just in terms of extra square footage, but how that house will serve you in 15 + years time. Will it gain in value steadily or have a ceiling value if or when you sell?

The higher the house value, the less folk seem willing to compromise, and I recognised that in our own decision-making. The criteria which matter most to you will be personal to you.

You're young and doing great; I'd be moving up the property ladder in your shoes, not up into the loft.

Albermarle

The upheaval of moving house, to me, is far less daunting than the upheaval of living in building site.

Normally having a loft conversion is less disruptive than knocking down walls downstairs for example. They can often do a lot of the work inside the roof, before breaking through. Although it will vary from job to job of course.

OP - Another consideration is that the cost of building work has shot up in the last 5 years, way above inflation. So it is less likely the full cost can be recuperated in any future sale price, although normally a loft extension is one of the better improvements you can do from this perspective.

horsewithnoname

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992298#Comment_81992298

Having lived through an extension build while living on site, it is a bit of a nightmare, but you soon forget about it.
If doing so, I would recommend the plastic zip doors you can easily and fairly cheaply get on line, they really do minimise the dust!