Buying a house that needs an extension. Too risky?

[GinFizzExtraGin]

Hi,

So there's a house we want to like, as it ticks so many boxes, but during both viewings, we just didn't warm to it.

Plus points are:

It's in a very desirable, commuter village, with butchers, bakers candle stick makers, pubs, restaurants etc. It's detached with decent sized, walled garden, which isn't really over looked. 4 double bed rooms, en suite to master and a decent size living room and kitchen/diner. Oh and it's within budget!

On paper, it sounds fantastic, but having just two rooms downstairs is quite off putting. They're both decent sizes, if a little thin, but they both feel quite dark, like they need more windows.

We had discounted it, but then after viewing so many other houses, we started thinking seriously with our heads, given the pro list.

If we could extend the kitchen, maybe as a conservative or sun room, that would really help.

It's been on for 18 months and has already been reduced by quite a bit. The EA said there wasn't really wiggle room on the price due to this, but then money talks I suppose, so we are tempted to try our luck and put in a lower offer, so we can extend. Problem is, we wouldn't know if we would be granted planning permission, so it's definitely risky.

Is there any way we could find out the chances of being successful beforehand?

Really appreciate any advice

Thanks

You can extend a certain bit without permission. However, different rules might apply if it’s in the green belt or a conservation area or whatever else. Might be worth speaking to a local architect or the planners for further advice.

Conservative? *Conservatory

If it's detached you can extend up to 8m from the rear wall if single storey without planning permission.

So go for it!!

@JoJoSM2, thank you.

@titchy, I read that as 8mm! When you say rear wall, do you mean at the back of the house? Sorry if I'm being ditzy.

I always prefer to buy somewhere that needs work.

Our downstairs here was dreadfully dark. Now it is light and airy. We redecorated, opened up a wall and added windows which made it lovely without an extension.

If you get the satellite view on Google maps you should be able to see if other houses on the street have been extended - this will give you an idea.

Definitely go for it, but don't get a conservatory, build a proper extension.

It is not a given you can extend . Many new builds and even those 20+ years ago had pd rights removed and pp is required for changes. Have any neighbouring properties already done as you would?

@FGSJoanWhatsWrongWithYou, yes, this house would definitely need a lot of lightening and airing. That said, it's actually very nicely decorated.

@AppropriateAdult, I had a drive round to see and couldn't see any that had, but they're all fairly new houses.

@ittooshallpass, if we did opt for a conservatory, it would be a very modern, tasteful one I'm just not sure we could afford a proper sun room style extension, given we'd only have about 30k to play with (if they took our offer 🤞) and it would need a new kitchen too.

Check the council planning website to see if there are any restrictions on developing the property

Not sure about the UK but here our local Council puts up all details of planning applications in your area and why they are given permission or not. Might be worth checking if yours does and read up on why applications are accepted or rejected.

I've had a look on my local council website, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for

You could download the title deeds from land registry to see if there are any restrictions.

If it's not listed, in a special area such as a conservation area or national park you have permitted development rights which have limits but broadly give you permission

www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200187/yourresponsibilities/37/planningg_permission/2

Good guide here
www.homebuilding.co.uk/permitted-development-rights-guide/

@wonkylegs we live in a 20 year old house which is not in any sort of restricted area but does not have Permitted Development rights. These were removed as part of the original Planning Permission

If it is a relatively recent build, find the pp online for the development(it may not be under same address though) which will state any restrictions and conditions on the decision documents.

We bought a house knowing we would need to extend it.
The kitchen was far too small for us but the rest of the house was what we were looking for, we are really restricted with location. Almost every house we looked at either would have required us to extent or convert a loft or garage. Those that didn't needed serious modernisation.
Nearly all the neighbouring houses have conservatories or extensions though so we knew it was possible. We didn't need planning permission just building regs.

Call your local planning department and speak to them. We did that when looking at purchasing a grade II listed property and they were very helpful. They couldn't tell us how an application would go but were able to advise that certain principles had been established already and give us pointers if we wanted to go ahead.

We’re due to complete next week on a house that we’re hoping to extend. It’s completely not what we want in a house but with an extension, it would be a fantastic home.
Other people on the road have done so we feel we stand a good chance. Worst case we’ll renovate and resell.

@WhereDoesThisToiletGo - yep that does happen as there are exceptions which would be highlighted in searches but it isn't generally the case

You can usually find out if a plot is affected by restricted permitted development rights in the online planning portal for the local council. Some are more accessible than others so if you are struggling to find the info give the local planning office a call. You May find they want to charge you for any advice - it used to be free but due to budget pressures many LPAs won't answer anything without charging a fee.

We extended the extension was for a kitchen, the kitchen became a living room. I would talk to an architect for inspiration.

Tbh, if you're planning on living there for a while, it would be a better plan to move in, do the kitchen if that needs updating and then save for a proper extension.

Conservatories, especially cheap ones, can a bit of a liability and not that practical. We were chatting to an estate agent who reckoned that, in our area, conservatories don't add any value, in fact people look at them with suspicion. It doesn't devalue the house as such, but people see future bills rather than an opportunity.

I would look at doing it. If it hasn't previously been extended you may not need planning, although to be honest the process of doing it isn't much different to what you do under permitted development anyway

What I would say, is if you extend, do it properly with a full build to building regs and therefore all,be insulation. Don't do a conservatory. The are classed as a temporary structure and are either freezing cold or boiling hot and still cost a load. A proper extension is part of the house and will be high insulation levels which also protect when too hot

Have neighbours done anything similar? That's usually a good guide.

A dd put a big kitchen extension on a house that was dated and small downstairs, but otherwise ticked a lot of boxes. The extension has absolutely transformed the house.