Move or extend (neighbour and layout issue)

[Standinginthelight]

We have 2 kids in a 2 bed house and are now in a position to be able to either put a loft conversion on, or move. Buying a 3 bed in our budget is going to be tight. We'll lose some of the things we love about our house. We're in a great location. Close to public transport which we need for our commute to work (both Dh and I anticipate that we'll be back in our offices after Coronavirus), close to amenities, close to DC's school. Our house overlooks a beautiful woodland area, which is really lovely and makes the house feel really special.

To afford a 3 bed, we will be in a less pleasant location in the area, not overlooking the woodland, and potentially not as close to school and public transport.

We could put a loft conversion on. It won't be a big room, and we'll lose our storage space (no garage). And if we do move in the future, the cost of the loft won't necessarily be recouped in the sale. If we did a loft now and sold straight away, we might just make our money back, or perhaps lose £5 to £10k (I've spoken to local estate agents).

The thing that bugs me the most about this house is we can hear a lot from next door. They are not a noisy family, it is all just normal living noise. Voices, gaming, music, tv, at different times of day. We're a quiet family, we don't often watch tv or listen to music. If we do, it is usually with earphones. They sometimes watch tv into the early hours, which I can hear in my bedroom. It is not loud, but I'd prefer not to hear it. The walls are terrible so sound travels. I find it quite stressful hearing other people's noise, even though it's not that noisy. Sometimes they've got tv on in one room and gaming in another, so there's no where I can go where I can't hear it. They have a pre teen and a teenager.

Having a loft conversion will solve the night time noise as dh and I will sleep in the loft room.

I've been looking at other properties locally, and there are houses that are end of terrace with hallways separating most of the shared walls, so there would be rooms without shared neighbour walls at all. That is like a dream come true to me!

Another option is to turn our bathroom into another bedroom. We already have a shower room downstairs. I don't think this is a good idea.

I don't know what to do. Help! I love my house and the location. But I would love a better layout and more space.

Can you add soundproofing to the wall between you and your neighbour? My daughter did this as her neighbour said she could here my grandson.

We are about to embark on some soundproofing - DH it's doing it as he knows a fair but about the subject as he plays drums. Not that we are playing drums in the house. We just want to block out some of the neighbour noise that like yours is not that bad really but annoying, as I am sure we are to the neighbours with our shouty 8 year old.

It's not that expensive just a bit of a pain to sort.

We have been looking into soundproofing. But it's not cheap, it's disruptive, it makes the rooms smaller, and there is no guarantee it will work.

Are you really struggling for space at the moment? If not could you wait a bit longer, save some more and then move to a three bed in a better location? That would probably be my choice if I were in a similar situation.

Have you gone up into the loft during the most bothersome times to see if you can hear the noise at a level that would still bother you? Then you'll know if it is worth doing.

I have a loft which is like an eyrie. I am not joined to another house, but do not hear any noise from below in my own house when I am up there. Put good insulation in so it is not cold in winter or too hot in summer. You can put heat deflecting cellophane type paper on the glass panels of any skylights. I have radiators up there. There may be different types of heating which may suit you better and be less hassle to install.

Only you can make the call. If you love everything about your house and location, except disturbance which affects your sleep, I'd do the loft. Only if it solves it mind. You may be able to look at clever storage ideas inside and outside for stuff that can be in the cold. Have you ever seen 'tiny house nation'? US programme.

@ContadoraExplorer

Are you really struggling for space at the moment? If not could you wait a bit longer, save some more and then move to a three bed in a better location? That would probably be my choice if I were in a similar situation.

Unfortunately, our financial situation is not going to change enough to make that viable. We're only able to move or extend right now as dh's grandmother left him some money.

I hate neighbour noise. I would look for one of those houses that are stairwell adjoining (or whatever the official word is) so less is likely to come through. You may find one in another location that you love (eg I mean the local location of it may have something lovely in it that you don’t even know about yet).

A loft extension on a property where you are already irritated by regular neighbour noise might not be the best investment.

@Cailleach1

Have you gone up into the loft during the most bothersome times to see if you can hear the noise at a level that would still bother you? Then you'll know if it is worth doing.

I have a loft which is like an eyrie. I am not joined to another house, but do not hear any noise from below in my own house when I am up there. Put good insulation in so it is not cold in winter or too hot in summer. You can put heat deflecting cellophane type paper on the glass panels of any skylights. I have radiators up there. There may be different types of heating which may suit you better and be less hassle to install.

Only you can make the call. If you love everything about your house and location, except disturbance which affects your sleep, I'd do the loft. Only if it solves it mind. You may be able to look at clever storage ideas inside and outside for stuff that can be in the cold. Have you ever seen 'tiny house nation'? US programme.

We would sound proof the walls up in the loft when doing the loft. Noise does travel up there, but nothing like the main part of the house.

The only things I don't love about this house are the size and the noise travelling from next door. The loft will create extra space, but then we lose the storage. We've got quite a lot of stuff up there that we need to keep. I've had a good clear out already.

Can you build a shed in the garden for storage if you extend into the loft? We did that at our last house as we didn't have a garage or anywhere else to store stuff. Husband did it in a weekend and it took loads and was completely water proof. Google earth shows it still there 8 years later.

I'd extend to keep the good location that you have now.

you can add soundproofing bit by bit - first in the loft when you fix that up, and then in other rooms one at a time.

You could move and end up with far worse neighbours. Not necessarily loud but horrible/selfish/weed smokers etc etc.

I would stay put and extend into the loft. The neighbour noise is probably worse because of lockdown and as the teen gets older they will likely be out with their mates. I agree with pp, you could move and have worse neighbours.

I would move but I hate neighbours noise. Hall together end terraces are usually very good because you only hear kitchen noise and you are further away.

I would soundproof the loft and move up there myself.

Shed for your stuff?

It sounds a very unique and special location and these are very rare

@user1471538283

I would move but I hate neighbours noise. Hall together end terraces are usually very good because you only hear kitchen noise and you are further away.

This is what I desire! But we would have to leave this lovely house.

When we were housing hunting, we saw one like this. I really liked it but DH didn't.

@ForeverInADay and @Porridgeoat
We have a shed already. There's a lot of stuff in the loft that can't go in a shed like paperwork and clothes/toys that were for dc1 that dc2 will use.