loft or kitchen extension??

[manitz]

we need space for filing and officy type things as dd wants her own room. would you go into the loft or extend the kitchen diner to have a seating/office/storage area. our garden is an estate agents 75 foot. that would be with a squint and no measure i'd say. the patio is northeast facing so the new patio we put down is quite green now. we were oging to go into the loft but now i'm wondering if it'll be cheaper an more use to extend downstairs but i'm loathe to lose the character and feeling of length int he garden...advice??

ps wouldn't mind moving in about 4 years...if we can borrow enough to stop us sleeping at night. prob just pipe dreams

[lucykate]

how many bedrooms does the house currently have? putting the reasons for an extension aside and looking practically (given you're thinking of moving in the future), i'd look at the total number of rooms in the house, ie, living space vs bedroom space, and make the decision based on which would benefit from being added to.

[lucykate]

sorry, meant to add, a kitchen extension = adding to living space, a loft extension = even if it is used as an office is kind of adding to bedroom space given it's location.

[manitz]

is four bed at the mo and have 3 kids. so is fine bedroom wise. but has a huuuge loft and not so large garden and no side space so although i agree with you im loathe to nick garden space...

downstairs used to have 3 small recept and kitch. now has living room, kitchen diner and utility.

also loft is really dirty and accessed through knackered hatch with ladder in hall. if we dont do the work will need to line, insulate board and put in better access, proper hatch and ladder. just getting plans for loft. if we stay here till kids grow up will do both but as it's unsure wondering which to do first...

[CybilLiberty]

Your choice might be decided by planning regulations.

We had to do our loft first under permitted development then use up our planning consent allowance for our extension. The council wasn't often giving planning consent to loft conversions, but they would give it to downstairs building work..

[MamaG]

I'd go for loft, its just dead space at the moment and you'll keep your garden

but I LOVE loft rooms

[captainaffray]

Defo loft. No lost external space, cheaper to construct against cost of single storey extension, potential for you\future owner to extend again at ground floor. Check out latest Permitted Development Rights provided you arn't in a conservation area\listed building\area of outstanding natural beauty, you can do some serious extensions without planning
www.communities.gov.uk