side return dilemma

last year

We’ve just moved into a Victorian mid terraced house in Wellingborough with an existing under-utilised side return conservatory. Our thoughts prior to moving in were simple; replace the roof, take down the existing exterior wall and create a utility and we in half the existing kitchen and a galley kitchen in the remaining space. We contacted the company that built an orangery at our previous house and after a lot of head shaking and huffing and puffing he made us feel we had made a huge mistake in buying said new home as we would need a pillar smack in the centre of the proposed kitchen to hold up the corner of the house… we will also need to re-route plumbing for bathroom on upper floor… any advice is truly gratefully received- pictures attached of current floor plan and estate agents photos

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Comments (3)

PRO
OnePlan
last year
You need to speak with another pro by the sound of it. Lots of 'huffing and puffing' means he doesn't want the job. Someone that does is likely to be more enthusiastic. Yes there will be a few things to overcome, but thats the nature of house renovating. Good tradespeople will be invaluable. and a clever SE can sort lots of issues .
PRO
i-architect
last year
Hi Lauren,

What you want to achieve is definitely doable, it's the kind of thing that I design for my clients all the time. What you currently have doesn't meet building control regulations, so it is likely to be very cold in the winter and possibly overheat in the summer. I definitely recommend that you do something to replace it. It may be that a structural solution and some diversion of plumbing is necessary, but there will be solutions to that - shouldn't be such a big deal!

You'll need as a minimum a sketch plan and a structural engineers design/calcs to be able to get a decent builder to quote for you.

I can help you with the sketch design and put you in touch with good structural engineers for the calcs. For the sketch design you can find out more and book my Big Picture Plan here (next available date is May 9th): https://www.i-architect.co.uk/bpp.html

If you'd like to book a 20 minute fitting call to check the Big Picture Plan is right for you before you book then you can do that here (I don't do any high pressured sales - you ask me a few questions and I'll ask you a few questions, then you can take your time to think about it): https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/60533ef90797bb65a5027955

Best wishes with your home redesign!

Jane

award winning chartered architect

eco-home and conservation area specialist

www.i-architect.co.uk

For helpful videos watch my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@iarchitect
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Lauren Seager
Original Author
last year
Hi Jane
Thanks for your interest and response.
We are now in discussions with a local structural engineer and hoping to take this forward with him thereafter.
Thanks again
Lauren

side return dilemma

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OnePlan

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Lauren Seager
Original Author

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side return dilemma

Comments (3)

OnePlan

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Lauren SeagerOriginal Author

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Lauren Seager
Original Author