Would you convert bedroom into an en suite/dressing room?

[NamechangeyMcnamechanged]

Hi, we have a brilliant house but it drives me nuts. We're not v DIY people but nor do we have loads of spare cash to get big amounts of work done.

We have a family of 4 in a 5 bedroom house. One tiny bathroom and the two kids will soon be teenagers. We have three reception rooms.

We do have a downstairs loo which we could convert into a wetroom/shower but I don't think anyone (except guests sleeping downstairs) ever really uses downstairs showers IME of houses that have them.

I'm constantly reading about how converting bedrooms is a very bad idea but do you think it would reduce value in our case (ie given we have a lot of floor space)? I'm thinking that very few families need 5 beds and given we have the extra study/guestroom downstairs, it might just add value or at least not detract?

Or am I just WRONG!?

Only just back to the thread, fab pictures! Which rooms is your downstairs loo : shower abd kitchen under? Where is your soil pipe?

Is wall between 2 and study a supporting wall?

In terms of plumbing it is far easier (and therefore cheaper) to be able to go straight to existing drains, so this should really be the first thing you look at and then plan from there. Going onto the opposite side of the house will increase costs and could mean things like pumps etc.

We do have a downstairs bathroom, don't use it every day but that is mainly because we have a separate cubicle upstairs (even though the actual shower is rubbish) so easier to use that.

Yes, it is a detached house but it is hardly likely you are having a second main drainage pipe running below the garden under bedroom 4 window.

@CalmConfident posted revised picture below marking out in red soil pipe/downstairs loo and plumbing but sharing again...

I have no idea how to tell what is a supporting wall (d'oh!) Any tips for an idiot?

Laying drainage isn't too bad but the cost is in restoring the driveway afterwards so only worth doing if part of a larger project.

Definitely have a 2nd bathroom and explore shower downstairs first. If you have room for it then the cost will be relatively low, just the cost of shower, tiles etc.
Converting a bedroom won't be too bad either.

You have a tank rather than mega flow type system? Just check the water pressure for multiple showers as well.

@CalmConfident I have consulted DH who thinks joists are perpendicular to that wall, which means it prob IS a supporting wall, right?

So we'd need an RSJ to put a new door through it...?

@lifebegins50 yes, just a boiler and tank. The other horribly complicating factor here is we have cast iron heating pipes (don't ask) and we'd prob need to install whole new system to do this which is gonna add a lot of thousands to the task!

Hmmm....Agree with PP that you likely going to end up with more “enabling” works as new boiler and parts of plumbing might be needed to support new pressure / regs. If you have a tank now, generally means an older set up. Where is your boiler? How old is it?

Doing works out the back / side will be better to have an extra “proper” toilet rather than a macerAtor...I would not recommend one of those for teenage boys . You do not want a soilpipe out the front. So I think bed 4 is out of the running

What is a Jack and Jill bathroom?

Aridane It is where there is a door from the hallway and the bedroom

I thought it was typically an ensuite with doors into 2 different bedrooms. Maybe it's any bathroom with 2 doors.

I would convert bedroom 4 but just one door as an ensuite to main bedroom. I would get a plumber round to quote / see what's possible though and might change mind based on costs / their ideas.