Extension or move

[banana506]

We need more living space then we currently have.

We've got two options, we can do a small extension to our kitchen diner to add a living area onto that space. I do think it will massively improve the living spaces downstairs as everything can spread out.
We currently have a very small playroom and quite a small living room.

Or we could move, but the cost of stamp duty will be more then it would cost to do the extension. And that would get us a bigger house but one that still needs a lot of work done to it.

Our house is finished but currently two kids share and it would be nice to be able to move to a house with an extra bedroom. They are fine sharing for the foreseeable though.

I'm just not sure whether it's better to spend the money improving this house and staying here when we know we will move eventually!

I asked the same question a few weeks back and it was 100% in favour of extending

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/3557348-The-real-cost-to-move-house-vs-extending

Extend. Stamp duty is such a waste of money.

If you know you have to move eventually then I would say to move. It's always better to extend if it will give you everything you need but if it won't then I wouldn't.

Is a loft conversion or upstairs extension an option?

We moved instead of extending and I've regretted it ever since. Could have done so much more with the money at the old house.

We moved for the extra bedroom which gave us more space downstairs too. So win, win. Shitty paying stamp duty etc but we are here to stay until the children leave home and we downsize.

An extension would have given us a big house on a small plot.

I don't think I'd move solely for an extra bedroom. There would have to be other wins (location, garden, potential to extend further etc)
Selling and buying is a major ball ache I wouldnt do it unless absolutely needed

We extended - then out grew the house anyway and moved. If extending means you won’t have to move again do it, if it will just delay a move I’d move.

Our extension was going to cost about the same as moving and we wouldn't have got our money back in terms of house value in the time we had left in the house, if you know what I mean! We opted to move. We're in the SE

How many bedrooms does the house have now?
If its 2 bedrooms, I'd save the money to move.
If its 3 bedrooms - I'd extend but that's because round here the leap from 3 to 4 bedrooms is staggering and would be unlikely to happen for us. Your area might be less of a difference or your salaries might be going up more than mine.

Move. If ultimately you will anyway. Why wait. House prices are low. Interests are low. If an extension will mean you will stay there’s indefinitely then extend.