extension yay or nay
My better half is all for an extension, while I believe it is super unnecessary and just killing nice garden space.
Below the sketch of our ground floor.
Personally I would take out the wall between kitchen and the living/dining room to make an open plan kitchen and add some lovely doors to the garden. Take down the whole lean to obvs. I would also close up the door between the entrance hall and the kitchen.
My better half on the other side wants to leave everything like it is, but take down the lean to and open up for a same size kitchen.
What do you guys think?
What would you do?
Thanks
Jen
Comments (10)
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PROClarisford
5 years ago
Elm Park, London · More Info
Hi Jennifer
Like the other posters, budget is key. Hidden costs if you were to do an extension include structural steel supporting the existing rear external wall, also whether there is an existing manhole to the rear of the property or drainage to be diverted.
However, there is a strong case for an extension. Extending will provide much needed space and offer you the opportunity to have an open plan kitchen and dining area, I would build a partition or cool crittal style double doors to separate the living room and your new open plan kitchen/dining.
Another important consideration is aspect, is your current kitchen north or south facing?
I have attached an image of a project we have just completed in London. We added a 4m rear extension to an existing terrace house, the client gained a much needed utility room and pantry and also a larger open plan kitchen and dining room. What you can't see in the photo is we put in bi folding windows behind a built in window seat, so it is really nice during the summer to lay on looking out into the garden.
Hope this helps
UltanJennifer thanked Clarisford
Jonathan
5 years agoYou could put a different sized or shaped extension on as a compromise to help protect the space in the garden
Jennifer thanked Jonathan- PRO
User
5 years agoWin win Jonathan.............inspired. I do think the downstairs space has to be balanced with an upstairs, so I see a lot of people extending to have huge living spaces when there are perhaps just two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. ( All bum and no boobs as Kirsty my heroine says ).
The kitchen isn't large, and I do think that it could be better, so if you did have the money, extending to where the lean to is and no further would provide a good space.
However, if you went out further, obviously you would get a much better layout. This is taking the extension out as far as the current lean to:-
All of the above comes at a cost though, and can include things that people don't think about at first. The extension is likely to be £15-20K depending on size, then you have a kitchen £6-£8k depending on finish. New flooring, and it's best if the whole downstairs matches so a further £2-£3k, even another sofa, so a further £ 1500-2500K. It all adds up very quickly. Before you know it it's added up to a potential £30K + . Of course you weigh that up with what it adds in value to your home. The choice is yours.
Jennifer thanked User Jennifer
5 years ago- PRO
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