To think side access is important?

[Yipee189]

We are looking to extend and DP and I can’t agree.

our semi and no ‘side access ‘ per se but curt you can walk through the garage to the back garden.

I want to extend so the back of the current garage is part of new kitchen. Middle of grange is a utility/ downstairs loo, and the front of the garage is storage.

there would be a kind of side access through the storage/ Ulitity/ kitchen so things would. Have to go through the front door/hallway.

DP thinks we will struggle to sell with no side access and we should leave kitchen width as it …but it’s only 2.25 m wide as it is !

would it be really off putting for a buyers if we went with my plan ?

thanks

I like no side access. Bastard burglars cannot get in the that way.

We want to do a similar extension but will defo leave the side alley. I think it's important for window cleaners, tree surgeons, green bin, gardeners etc etc

Corridor through the side?

Will you really want to bring garden rubbish etc through the kitchen? Or is there alternative access to the garden?

We don't have side access and it is a pain in the arse

I think it's one of those compromises that lots of people make tbh.

Most people would prefer a side access, but if the house is otherwise perfect for them, unlikely to stop them buying it.

Unless they are keen gardeners, and only if the storage is actually a decent size though. And if your garden is big enough to have a large shed for garden furniture, lawn mower etc

I know I'm a sample of one, but when previously looking for a house to buy, I've written off ones where the only access to the rear is through the house. Nightmare for bikes, kids garden stuff, or indeed any garden stuff. But a bigger kitchen might appeal to others who don't have things like that 🤷‍♀️

I don't think it's a big deal. I've always lived in terraces, so I've never had side access. It's a convenient nice to have, but no more than that.

I wouldn’t go for no side access. You can get through our garage to back but there is no way I would be happy with garden waste being dragged through the house.

Neighbors extended with no side access

she ‘allowed’ the window cleaner to climb my back gate and then her fence to clean the back of the house, we had the gardener knock so they could mow her lawn and ‘lift’ the fence panels for access - erm no!!

She dragged her bins through the house every week after I refused to store them on my driveway - seriously not my problem so no I wouldn’t buy a house without a side access.

I'm mid terrace and whilst we're permitted access via next door's garden, we never use it and it's never been a problem.

We don’t have side or rear access and it’s never been an issue. What do you need it for? We regularly bring bikes and garden waste through the house (literally the living room) without any problems or mess as long as you keep it airborne.

No. I don't want garden rubbish pulled through a house. Or building material. Or anything that should be outside. Access is important.

Most of the houses where I live have extended over the side access. Whilst in theory we can access the garden through the garage at the bottom of the garden we have actually secured the main door and fenced the garage in.
Bikes are brought through the house multiple times a week - just plan the kitchen to allow easy access.

If you’ll have to take rubbish and recycling from the kitchen as well as garden waste through the house when you currently don’t have to that’s not great.

We sort of do but sort of dont have side access and I wouldnt get that again given a choice, OH is too lazy to put things through the sort of side access (because its awkward) and always wants to drag rubbish and crap through the house and I cant stand it

We don't have side access as mid terrace and a real pain for bikes, have to either come through the house via front door or the hassle of opening the garage door and bypassing the cars. I would go for side access, if burglars (as mentioned) want to get in they will regardless, just put a good lock. Also good for muddy boots etc

We don't have side access and it is a pain. We can use the gate at the bottom of the garden to get in the back door but it's on a different street and there is no parking so we use the front door. I suppose it's good security wise as the garden gate is bolted but it makes everything from having gardeners and window cleaners round much less simple as they park on our street then have to walk round to the other street to use the back gate.

there would be a kind of side access through the storage/ Ulitity/ kitchen so things would. Have to go through the front door/hallway

@Yipee189

im a little confused.if there's a Ed's through the storage/utility/kitchen (existing garage)
why would you have to go through the front door?

IF you could go through S/U/K without going through the front door, I could live with that. Just. But NOT if you have to go through the front door/hallway.

This is what I was referring to, a sort of storage utility area

What happens is that it gets so full up and awkward that trying to get bikes or big sacks of garden waste through, you cant squeeze through, things fall over, cant open the door fully etc etc etc, fighting with toppling over cans of half used paint, tool boxes, my god it drives me insane

Our bikes are massive heavy e bikes so its not just a question of picking them up, very awkward

Side access would be a deal breaker for me , my sister has no side access , they didn’t notice when they were buying , and everything for the garden has to go via the garage and the kitchen and it’s a complete pain .