Thanks for your comments. Regarding the plinth heater, I'm looking at a small electric one which is turned on by a kick switch or remote control. There are also plinth heaters that can be connected to the central heating system. Plinth heaters cost between £100-£250. If I choose this option, I'll go for the highest spec, as I might as well do it properly if I'm going to put one in. As I've never had or used a range cooker, it would be a big change and investment without knowing if it's the best option for me. For the underfloor heating, I had looked at limestone tiles and a polypipe overlay system. Materials and labour came to just under £5K and the floor would be around 2cm higher. I think electric underfloor heating wouldn't add as much height but would be more expensive to run. If I did the hallway and cloakroom, it would add to the cost of this flooring/heating option. The window is quite new and double-glazed and the patio door will be changed soon. I'm not sure if cavity wall insulation would be enough to make a difference. I think the main issue is the lack of solar gain.

Hi, I don't have any experience with awnings but another idea you may want to think about, which would be a fraction of the cost, would be sail shades. They look really modern and can offer a lot of versatility. We are going to get one next Summer to give shade to the patio but also to protect our kitchen/diner from direct sunlight from our south facing garden. Also hoping it'll give us some privacy as we are a little overlooked. We also plan to have lovely fairy lights running underneath it. Good luck with your project.

I appreciate the property buying public can be a little conservative and raise an eyebrow when confronted with an upside down house but when sensibly and well done I’m sure most people can see the benefits. Particularly in OP’s case where the downstairs looks quite dark and the sloping garden is a concern. These are arguably greater disadvantages then living ‘upside down’. Then again, I may be slightly biased having lived in an upside down home for decades. 😊

Hi Ros, I would have a think about how much extending/ changing layout would cost in all. If you only plan to be there for a few more years at the most then it may be worth considering the move sooner. However, if you are planning on staying and making some changes, open plan living is a fantastic option for a growing family. Opening the space between the dining and kitchen area would create a lovely big room with plenty of roaming space. Open plan living is also a very popular option these days so I don't necessarily think it will hamper any future sale with not having the two separate rooms. We have a large number of clients who want to knock walls down and extend to accommodate a more open plan layout and it's certainly an option that is increasing in popularity. Extending below the car part could be quite costly considering you may want to move in a few years time. Without actually looking at it, it's difficult to determine if it would be worthwhile. Aimee