We are in the process of planning an extension, just getting quotes in now. However, we are still uncertain whether to even do the extension or to move. We didn't get planning permission to extend the full width of the house, upstairs, so we have had to change our upstairs plans, which makes us wonder if it is worth doing it. Downstairs is mainly fine, we were given permission to do nearly everything downstairs, so we are pleased with those plans.
Upstairs will result in two decent sized rooms (about 3mx3m and 2.5mx4m ish), plus one small single box room (was decent sized but we are putting shower room in part of it, though not ensuing) and another awkward U shaped room, over the stairs. Not big enough for a double bed, so just an odd shaped single room. In addition, we will have the tiny shower room (original bathroom with bathtub is downstairs and we are leaving it there). Mid terrace, so despite it being a 4 bed place, only two of the rooms are decent sized. We have three kids and family who visit from abroad, so we really want to keep the 4 bedrooms.
The other option, more expensive and would mean going back to architect and building control, might mean that could put the shower room in the U shaped room, which would be much more spacious. That would mean that the original decent sized room could stay that way, so we would end up with 3 decent sized rooms plus a reasonable sized shower room. We might then be able to go up into the loft, perhaps using the other bit if the U shaped room for the stairs. We would hopefully create a decent sized room in the loft. However, the roof space is not huge, so it would not be a tall room. Fine for a kid or a guest room, but certainly not for adults. Most of it would be restricted height, perhaps all of it? Friends across the street have been given Building control approval for this, so not impossible. No idea if we would do a dormer extension or just rooflights in the original roof.
From our point of view, 4 decent sized rooms plus a decent sized shower room, sounds attractive, despite it likely being a lot more expensive. However, we may not stay in this house forever, so we need to keep resale value in mind. I am worried that a loft bedroom with mainly all restricted height might put people off. What would be the best option, house value wise? Smaller rooms and a tiny shower room, but all normal height? Or bigger rooms and bigger shower room, but low ceiling in the loft?
Would love anybody's thoughts? To investigate the loft idea will take more time and money, so I don't want to start down that path, if there are very obvious reasons why it is not sensible.
Moving is still an option but very limited because we need to stay in the catchment and we are on an estate where all the houses are the same, so it is very hard to buy a bigger house, unless you have a lot of extra money, which we don't!