2 bed house and wanting more dc's

[Ladydutchalot]

Not for a few years, but need some forward planning. We have a 2 bed house at the mo (it is supposedly a three bed, but it is a 2 bed and a cupboard, so not a bedroom). We only have dd, so have oodles of room. We want two more dc's in the next 5-10 years, but have only just bought the house, so I don't want to move for a good while yet. Dd will be around 10 by then, so we cannot put them all in together in the one room. Well, we can, but a ten year old that has always had her own room may resent giving it over to a 5 year old and 2 year old when she is 15.

I know the sensible option is move, but a) I don't know if we could afford a bigger house, at least not for another 10 years, and b) I like our house, I don't really want to move. How do extensions/loft conversions etc work logistically? It would have to be built from dd's room and the bathroom, so we would need walls moving to put landings in etc, and it is a bit mind boggling and expensifying!!! .

You'd be amazed how loft conversions have come on - quite often they can build staircases that will jemmy into the space you have without knocking down walls and so - they may not be the most beautiful ones in the world but they meet regulations and work. Loft conversions are very easy - the builders put scaffolding around your house and go in and out through that - the only significant mess is when they cut through from the loft to the rest of the house but that is relatively late in the build. If you like where you live and don't want to move, then a loft extension is relatively cheap and easy. If you have enough garden, then you can think about extending at the back but you have to be much more careful about making the flow of the rest of the house work.

Lala you are brilliant. I have only witnessed 1980's loft conversions, bleurgh, so didn't even really entertain that! The loft is pretty big (although oddly shaped, but I'm sure they are used to that!) so we could easily get two bedrooms/a big bedroom and en suite up there. Yippee!!!

Just to add to this: do your neighbours have similar houses? have they done loft conversions? this will give you a good idea of whether it's financially worthwhile (depending on local house prices a conversion can cost more than moving to a bigger house).

If there are similar houses around you, with loft conversions, have a look at estate agent details for houses for sale as the floorplans will show how the conversion has been done. Also have a look at your local council's website, sometimes they put planning permission applications up which show the plans for the loft conversions.

Everyone has had some form of extension, but they vary wildly from an extended porch to a huge wraparound 2 floor extension. A lot have loft conversions and conservatories (we are a 1930's cul de sac of semi's). We got the house at 40k less than next door is being sold for and bought it 3 months ago as they needed a quick cash sale (so it is v future planning), so it doesn't matter if it "adds value" as such, as we would hopefully still recoup the costs. It is just for comfortable living.

And thank you for the tips on the plans minipie!

We are in a similar position- live in a 3 bedroom house but the 3rd bedroom is tiny. We now have 2 DS's and would like another one day so we decided to extend the house. Didn't want to move cos of similar reasons to you, cost of a bigger house plus we love where we live.

We are nearly 3 months into this extension now and it's been OK, not as hellish as what I thought it would be! So I say go for an extension / conversion :o