Is it worth extending?

[KismetHardie]

Hello all, wondering if any of you can help me figure out what to do with our house as we're really struggling with a long-term strategy. 3 bed, 1 bathroom, kitchen/diner and sitting room. Basically it's liveable and we like it, but it's a long way from finished and there are some big things to do (render, replastering some rooms, flooring). We don't expect to outgrow it within the next 5 years.

So option 1 is just keep going making this house as nice as it can be, then move on when we're ready. Thing is we like the area, the aspect, the garden. Schools are fine as far as we can tell (got a baby). Houses worth moving for in areas we like as much are at least 150k more than this one is worth.

Option 2 is extend. Because of the general layout, the best new floor plan as far as I can see would add a bit extra to the kitchen, double the size of the hallway (allowing loads of storage for coats/shoes etc). I'd add a big laundry cupboard upstairs, with a washer/dryer stack (currently just a washing machine in the kitchen), ironing and linens etc. The smallest bedroom would become another double, and we'd add a separate wc. So, we'd be up to 3 double bed, 1.5 bathroom, a better kitchen, and lots more storage. With this plan we might never need to move-it wouldn't be a big house for a family of 4, but it would be perfectly formed (I hope)

Wow think that's the most I've ever typed on my phone. Thank you for reading....now, how do we choose a plan?

Having undergone the pain and chaos and dust of building work, it doesn't sound to me like enough benefit to be worth it.

I also suspect you won't add thr value you spend.

Maybe wait until you are closer to needing the space to weigh up options.

Wait until we enter recession next year and the builders prices for your extension will drop dramatically

Thank you sore, I think if I was being really hard-headed I'd agree with you, but I like the idea of a project. That's interesting Alexa-I thought if house prices crash people stay put and extend so domestic builders were a bit more stable?

That’s what happen during the last crisis, people stayed put and extended into the loft or backwards. It was near on impossible to get a builder to commit to any sort of start dates and quotes were silly money.

Downstairs loo?

We thought much the same thing but we'd be adding more space downstairs. In the end it was just too costly for the space we'd get. So we're just going for a more modest kitchen revamp. You may need a new boiler if you extend - you need to cost things out etc.

In recessions people cut back on big purchases... ie 50k extensions... in 2008/9 builders would take any work going... in a recession people don't build or move if they can help it... That is if they keep their job and have a choice

Could probably squeeze in a downstairs loo but it would make things quite cramped, and I don't really like them like that-proper ones can be nice.

We're not in a particularly expensive part of the country, but it's a university city and the market seems stable but stagnant, if that makes any difference! House at present is worth about 230, bigger properties coming on in drubs and drabs are wildly overpriced...same story everywhere really! It's hard to know what to do

If I could add one thing to my house it would be storage. I’d have an extension just for that.

Is there ant potential for a loft conversion?

It sounds like you're looking to do a relatively small side extension.
I've done a big side extension (finished earlier this year).
It's hard work living through it but totally worth it for the end result. However, I do think the end result needs to be worth it.
We've ended up with a lovely big house with a huge kitchen and master suite.

How far can you go out?

Bax maximum 6 ft added to the kitchen/smallest bedroom, 9ft off the hallway/bathroom-side of the house has a step in it. But that would mean access to the garden is though the house. I don't really like that-iteans bins at the front of the house-and i feel it gives a cheek-by-jowl look to the neighbourhood, but lots round here have done it (1930s detached/semis on big plots). If we went all the way out the side we could have a galley utility for access to the back with all the laundry stuff in, and a wc/shower upstairs instead of my precious laundry/linen cupboard.

Off-road parking for 2 cars is at the front so not an issue.

My preferred option though is small increase in floor space downstairs, and an overhung alleyway for full floor space upstairs.

Breakfast yes, really easy actually as we could just continue the staircase, but I don't want to overextend on bedrooms without adding more living space. Loft extension would make us a 4 bed, maybe 2 bath but with only kitchen/dining room, sitting room and cupboard under the stairs...doesn't balance out imho:

Personally it doesn't seem worth it to me, I can't see it making much difference? You'll need huge steels etc which is the pricy bit for little gain

Thank you, I think you're right and what we really need is a five-year plan to move!