Over ambitious building extension?

[mickreid]

Hi Folkes,

Firstly Hello! this is my first post.

I am currently living abroad but have recently found out that my partner is pregnant with our second child which is making me consider moving back to the UK (health service and family help etc).

I moved into my first home (3 bed semi) about 5 months before I got this career opportunity to bring me abroad. For me to be able to move back to the UK I think I will need at least 4 bedrooms (as I will be working from home).

The problem with where I come from (Belfast) is that house prices are now at least double what they were when I left and although I have done quite well on paper I will actually need to double my existing mortgage to move up to a 4 bedroom house in the same area.

Because of this I am seriously considering what ways I could extend my existing property to give me another bedroom and maybe a bigger bathroom and kitchen. The only problem is I am not sure that the land I have is adequate for any sort of extension. I have attached a picture of a house which is in the same street as mine as is almost exactly the same layout with the same amount of land.

My thoughts are that I could extend the house out to the right of the picture, completely over the car port and right back to the garage (which would also be converted to a habitable building). This extension would be on 2 floors with an extra bedroom upstairs.

Firstly I want to know have I any chance of getting planning permission for such an extension as I will be basically taking up the full width of all land I have available from one neighbour right up to the other neighbour's garden wall? (This would also mean you would have to travel through the house to get from back garden to front, god knows how I would fill my heating oil tank)

Also I reckon that I would have a budget of around 30,000 sterling to do the job - I know prices can be different depending on area but would this be anywhere near adequate to cover such a job.

As mentioned above I am a complete beginner so maybe barking completely up the wrong tree, just wondering have any of you seasoned pros experience working with similar projects or better ideas how I could achieve a bigger building on the limited land.

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[noseall]

you may get it done for £30,000, if all the trades work for free!

 

[mickreid]

I will do a lot of the heavy lifting and physical work myself while my father is a qualified electrian and plumping/heating engineer as well as having 2 uncles as plasterers - I would have to throw them a few quid (probably 30-40 quid per day) but would hope not too much costs.

Alot of Polish tradesmen moved into the area as well making the industry more competitive.

 

[noseall]

30-40 quid per day.

how long have you been away

 

[mickreid]

I am in computers and was tortured for many many years every time there was an issue with anyones puter!

Apart from that I have been prone to dabble in a little reverse engineering with cable television boxes so the said people owe me for free tv over the last few years.

When I first bought my home (I provided materials) I had my whole living room and kitchen replastered for 50 quid all in albeit more of a token charge for family favours

I also have a father in law who is a manager in B&Q and gets serious staff discount.

As you can tell I am little optimistic

 

[peca27]

Calm down with all the talk of discounts at B+Q and twice removed Polish multi-skilled cousins.........just jokin.

U first need to find out if u can get planning permission, as all the sums in the world can go up in smoke if ur local planner tells u to *ff off. I'd say u propably won't get permission for what your asking..........but you could poss get permission for something similar but on a smaller scale. U need to speak to a local architect and get an idea of what might be allowable, if ur happy with it, go ahead + apply.

Once ur down that road start thinking about the HUGE discounts ur gona need at B+Q and learn Polish..........cos for £30k ur gona need all the help u can get.

 

[angelboy]

You won't be able to build right up to your neighbours wall, you have to leave at least 1m.......solved the heating oil problem anyway!

Have any other houses on your street had a similar extention?

I'd seek advice from your local council planning department before looking at costs. You'll have to get building control involved as well. All at a cost to eat away at your pound notes.

 

[toptec]

Mick

I was in very similar boots to you a few years ago. I built a 2 storey side extension, built the footings, did all the labour for the brickies, dry lined and did the first and second fix of the utilities. I had help to roof but it took me a year to finish but I did it for 26 grand. I didn't get discount at B & Q!!!

Your first step, as explained, is to speak with the planning dept of the council, or a local archetect. He usually knows what the local planning dept will and won't allow. Your two main areas of concern are light and privacy which you will need to address.

I managed to get permission to build up to the extent of my side boundary, and the planners were pretty supportive. Since I did mine two other neighbours have followed suit.

For your info Ethnic labourers are going for £40 a day in North London. My Pal has four working on his place in Ilford.