Buying house - all things extensions

[Koolpc]

Not cheap are they?

But, they can save you a whole heap of headaches!

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

By the sounds of it, it's a botched loft conversion so is probably a nightmare waiting to happen.

If you're not handy then pay more for a house that's already the size and shape you want, it will probably cost you less in the end.

Avoid loft conversions, unless you're knowledgeable enough to know what's good and what's bad. Many are dangerous, due to lack of fireproofing, reinforcement or removal of roof trusses that shouldn't have been removed without alternative reinforcement.

 

[Notch7]

Not cheap are they?

An architectural technician is cheaper than an architect and may well have more experience on domestic work.

The existing layout isn’t too clever, you need somebody with the knowledge to both extend and make the existing layout more usable.

It’s worth paying to get the best design advice as that will save you money in the long run and increase the property value

Obviously the main one feeds into an existing soil pipe. Is it easy (or even possible) to put a toilet in say bedroom3? I see there is a drain access outside the window down the side of the house

Yes a toilet is certainly possible in bed 3, but you need a drainage layout with invert levels to know for sure.

It is important to find out if all the foul drainage is private around the property, if it’s public, then that can create lots of issues.

 

[Notch7]

But, they can save you a whole heap of headaches!

A cheap architect could be very very expensive.

One of those online plan drawers that do it for £399 isn’t suitable for the OP

 

[martygturner]

By the sounds of it, it's a botched loft conversion so is probably a nightmare waiting to happen.

If you're not handy then pay more for a house that's already the size and shape you want, it will probably cost you less in the end.

Avoid loft conversions, unless you're knowledgeable enough to know what's good and what's bad. Many are dangerous, due to lack of fireproofing, reinforcement or removal of roof trusses that shouldn't have been removed without alternative reinforcement.

Where are you getting botched loft conversion from... plenty of two bed downs with eves room exists out there...all 50 early 60's.

 

[Koolpc]

A cheap architect could be very very expensive.

One of those online plan drawers that do it for £399 isn’t suitable for the OP

Yep, not cheap at all...

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

In general, from the houses I've looked at, most loft conversions have issues. Some are things that can be addressed, others are just ridiculous.

The steep stairs and possible lack of doors suggest it probably doesn't meet standards. So probably wasn't done with Building Control approval, therefore anything is possible. Some just bung chipboard on top of the original ceiling joists, rip out a load of rafters and nail plasterboard on.

Treat any loft conversion with suspicion. Eyes open wide, don't blindly assume it's all fine.