Bungalow Extention

Comments (17)

dazswife
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for all the terrific advice Justin! Food for thought!!
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Hi Helen, The garden looks fairly large - you could extend outwards? A ground floor rear extension, get rid of the sun room, install velux windows or skylights, some bi-folding doors and you would have a really bright, spacious lounge. If money/building regulations permit, you could extend upwards also? If this would not be possible, extend the first floor outwards at the rear to create two more bedrooms (where the attic room is). As Gabby mentioned, you can now get modular extensions and loft conversions which cause minimal disruption - entire rooms are designed and built off-site then installed over a number of days. A very time efficient solution but not as cost effective - they are pricey! The leading company for these is Moduloft, I believe. I have no direct experience with this type of conversion myself, but know this method is rising in popularity. In terms of the ground floor, the kitchen looks to occupy a very small space currently. I don't know your feelings on open plan but you could knock down the walls between the lounge and the kitchen, and bedroom 1 and the lounge to create a large, open plan living space. You could arrange it so that your new kitchen-dining space are where the current kitchen and dining room are, and the living room is in the space where bedroom 1 is. This would allow for the living room to feel like a separated little nook while still being part of a larger, open plan room. In terms of the exterior - there are countless possibilities. Replacing windows with some in a more contemporary style (e.g. grey upvc), replacing the door and repainting the exterior are the simplest but most appearance-altering. I have attached a picture to illustrate what I envisage a rear extension with the velux/bifolding doors combo I suggested looking like - good luck with everything!
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Thats a big enough challenge, If you need any assistance with lighting you can always give us a email and i will work with you to assist you with the best prices :) Hope all goes well! Tony
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Jonathan
7 years ago
Great advice from Justin- lovely position too and I can see why you fell for this place.
It might also be worth getting creative input from this forum before briefing your architect.
There are lots of people who have renovated many properties on here and can give ideas. You might find people who have had a similar era property and have insight about levels of insulation or design quirks that you had not considered. You might find that there is something odd that you hadn't noticed before (in laws house had a pier to support the porch but it was in the middle of the view from a picture window in the lounge and they had never noticed!) You might also find that people suggest things to include that you may not have considered such as renewable energy, changing the layout or changing the shape or position of windows to improve the appearance, or improve the layout or to increase privacy or better enjoy the view.
To get the most out of the talent on here try posting more pictures.
Justin Eames
7 years ago
You got some great opportunity in this bungalow, it will make a fantastic home when the works completed. I look forward to seeing it!
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Hi - looks a beautiful spot !
With bungalows you need to look at the project as a whole - including roof pitch etc too so an architect might be best person to get the overall outline shape and roof sorted on the initial stages ... some architects are happy to then take you through the interior shaping stages too - others are happy for you to bring in a concept planner ( like us) at that stage ... but yes - lots of important safety to go through on this kind of project ... so important that you have either one contractor or a principle contractor of you have more than one contractor or a principle designer ( usually architect ) crossing all the T's and dotting all the i's with regard to Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
Otherwise it's down to you !
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Yes, absolutely Karen is completely right about the roof pitch and that's something an architect would help you design. I guess the nice thing about having a designer on board is one of the things we can do is some high quality 3D renders of how the architect's vision looks with styling (not sure about you but sometimes I find the sketches a bit tough to visualise on their own ).

Looking at the process for you:

- An architect gives you the drawings to give to the builder for your contract (without drawings it is all a bit too open to personal interpretation between the two of you!).

- They also give you the drawings for your structural engineer and tell you whether you'll need one or not.

- You can then choose to go with a concept planner (as Karen mentioned), the architect if they have interiors expertise too or an interior designer who offers concept planning plus styling. In most cases an interior designer might be a bit more money but it depends on how confident you feel about pulling an interior scheme together yourself. They can also project manage start to finish - if needed.

Quite a few of my clients have felt that after they have spent the money on the architect and building work, that the difference in cost between a concept planners and interior designers is comparatively low and they don't want to run the risk of a really practical space that lacks the warmth and 'polished' finishing touches of a well designed and beautiful interior scheme. You're best to start getting some quotes in and like everything in this project - looking at your budget verses needs :)

If you pop me a quick message we could set you up a joint album on here and I can help get you started on collecting images and see what sort of things appeal to you- all this will really help with your architect (if you need one) and any designer or concept planner you decide to use at a later date.

If it's all a bit confusing I'm more than happy to have an informal chat on the phone too- as Jonathan said, there's a huge amount of info and expertise on here which is really helpful but I know it can sometimes be a bit daunting at the start of a project like this and I am happy to help if I can.
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
..and I know a lot of my clients are pleasantly surprised when they see the costs of an interior designer - I bet it is not half as bad as you think :)
PRO
Floor Monster
7 years ago
Hi there,

First of all congratulations on the house. We believe Herringbone style would be perfect for your home. We have many colors in stock.

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If you have any queries or looking for advice on flooring we would be more than happy to help. You can get in touch via email, Info@floormonster or you can call us on 0141 887 5698.

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Floor Monster
PRO
SelSol Architectural
7 years ago
Excellent comments by Justin earlier, just a couple of things to add. You may not strictly need an architect, so weigh up what you genuinely need. People like me (a house designer) are often scoffed at by true architects, but the fact of the matter is that if you are simply replacing a garden room and you are nigh on certain about what you want, paying full architects rates may be unnecessary and an architectural designer could easily produce plans and get it through planning.

In my mind, for a project like this, an architect may be overkill, and you could strip some money away by using a house designer / architectural technician.

However, if you are going for a full on remodel with a focus on creativity then certainly, an architect is where you would want to push your money as the net results could be better, there is no arguing that the extra training they receive carries benefits. I'm not suggesting you discount or discredit either option, just do your homework.

To reiterate, an architect will probably offer up more diverse and creative ideas, but that assumes that they are needed, so just be very sure about what you're trying to achieve.

Large bungalows are notoriously tricky to design to avoid feeling like rat runs, far too many are simply large rectangles with a spinal corridor which makes for a long, dark and frankly depressing building.

The question you need to ask yourself is "what do I want from the building?". Don't look at it and think "what can I do" because if you do that you start designing to original buildings constraints, rather than what you actually want from the alterations.

The bedroom which is accessed via the rear boot room is a little odd, and there's a part of me that would rather see the living room turned into the master bedroom / en-suite, then open up the the dining / kitchen / utility to become a triple aspect living area and finally open up the bedroom / en-suite and boot room to have a dual aspect kitchen / dining room, which accesses the garage and rear gardens. Its a case of how much you want to spend and how far you want to go with it.
tamp75
7 years ago
I agree with the above. If you could find a way to keep all bedrooms on one side of the bungalow & living space on the other, it would work better. Currently to get from lounge to the (master?) bedroom you need to go through the hall, dining, kitchen, utility & bootroom. Think it would end up being rather annoying but just my opinion!
PRO
ig. design & interiors
7 years ago
You have received a lot of really great advise. I agree with the above two comments about the bedrooms; however, having one bedroom separated from the rest may suit your circumstances perfectly.

When you first meet/talk to you architect and/or designer, they will try and work with you to establish exactly what you are looking to achieve - how you would like to live in the space, how you want it to feel. What you currently like about it and what is not working for you at all. They should work with you to make the space functional as well as aesthetically pleasing for you. But first, why not start with a list of what you like and don't like in regards to the way the space currently works for you (before addressing anything decorative). You need to think about who will be using each room and what the room will be used for, including any current furniture you want it to accommodate. This way, when you initially speak to an architect you will already have very clear ideas of what you need and want to achieve. This will give you the freedom to be open to suggestions - you will know whether the architect/ designer is on your wavelength and is listening to you.

You are already on houzz and have started with idea books - so you are already ahead of the game.

Look forward to hearing about your progress

Annika
dazswife
Original Author
7 years ago
I am overwhelmed by all the feedback - thank you all so much... I'm going to read thoroughly and keep you updated/ask more questions!!

We've had the survey back as as expected with a 1960s house there are some issues inc chimney stack, damp and beetles!!

Be in touch and again thanks for your comments!!
dazswife
Original Author
7 years ago
Just some more photos of the rear of the house ... we are loving the idea of changing use of lounge into bedroom and thinking of making bed 1 into large utility/ boot room - we have 2 working cockers so a dog shower area would be great (utilising en suit)e.. the little utility was always a problem for me!

We are also thinking to square off the extension to the back making then just one big kitchen/living/ dining with lots of bi-fold or sliding windows.

Where possible we want bedrooms to have French windows ( or suchlike) looking into garden!!!

For those interested, we've discovered the current master used to be the garage, the current garage is an extension which is why it's an odd bedroom on its own one side of house!!
acew1234
7 years ago
Lovely plot, just a thought on French doors from bedrooms on the ground floor.
If you like fresh air in your bedroom make sure you have a way of ventilating such as an opening window or tilt and turn doors. The doors look lovely but it's not great having them open with rain blowing in if they are open at night.
Also we lost our dog, searched for ages ....our dog had found the door open and was laying on our bed after digging in the garden!
Jonathan
7 years ago
Before you decide definitely to build out from the sun room you should consider which parts of the garden have the best outlook, the most privacy and the most sun- then occupy a less desirable part of the plot for an extension.
You might also consider which parts of the house have the best outlooks and then decide where you want principal rooms. (furthermore the fireplace in the lounge appears to be a barrier to the garden view.). You should also consider how you want the roof to look as currently the flat roofed sunroom sits uncomfortably (in my opinion) next the to pitched roof of the house - should you put a pitched roof over both the sunroom and living room it might be higher than the main building.
You might want to look at the neighbours.... does anyone else have a higher roof and has set a precedent?
You should also consider if you ever intend to build upwards (there is a good roof pitch so I am betting there is sizable upstairs space that might be used more cost effectively than building an extension- perhaps you could have a couple of guest bedrooms upstairs to make room for a better downstairs master suite.
Lastly you should be realistic about budget from the outset as renovating kitchens, bathrooms, wiring and heating can use up huge amounts despite not knocking down any walls.
Lastly I think this is a great property- well done for finding it.
PRO
PWJ Architects Ltd
7 years ago
We'd recommend obtaining a survey of this property and taking onboard an architectural designer, so that your needs and requirements can be fully explored and translated into a functional and contemporary dwelling that suits your family.
We have a portfolio of work on our Houzz profile if you require ideas.

www.pwjarchitects.com
dazswife
Original Author
6 years ago
We've had a go at a couple of designs on the iPad ... taking into consideration some of your comments just to keep us excited whilst we are waiting to complete on the house , what do you think?

Next step is to contact some architects/house designers plus companies that do full end to end service in our area...

Where there are sliding doors on bedrooms we would probably haveFrench doors with side windows

We've also realised we need large utility/boot room, are keep to have a small study and keen to keep 4 beds if poss!!

United Kingdom

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Bungalow Extention

Justin Eames

Comments (17)

dazswife
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dazswife
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Bungalow Extention

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