Move or Extend? Same old dilemma

[LimpLettice]

We moved to our lovely 30's semi 3 years ago from a beautiful period property to gain an extra room. Promptly fell pregnant and now are struggling for space once again. We have a downstairs office which is essential, and a very small galley kitchen. Our garden is enormous and we do love the area. Schools, neighbours, transport. Ten mins walk from the station, 40 mins to St P.

Have had beautiful plans drawn up which essentially create a huge kitchen diner space and a bedroom suite for us plus small study. Quotes coming in at £70-£80k plus the cost of the kitchen / glazing. For context, we currently have about 35% equity, but DH is on a v good wage in a sought after industry, so the extra on the mortgage wouldn't really affect us. The improvements would add enough extra value not to kill all our equity.

On the other hand, I've got 2 under 3 and a tween about to start high school. New development being built in a nearby village in lovely green space, where we could spend roughly the same on a reasonable size 4 bed with en-suites and study, plus fittings of choice. Much smaller gardens obvs. Transport links are rubbish, but we don't need them now.

I love my period property. I do not love the idea the build. I don't love new builds. I do like the idea of not living with months of work. DH likes lovely clean new properties but has no strong feelings either way. No idea what to do!

There's a launderette at the end of the road but MiL definitely would, and hopefully we will be able to set up in the lounge for some cooking. Plus we have a big gas bbq. Last time I was washing up in the bath at 8 months pregnant. Hideous but worth it.

Extend. We were faced with a similar dilemma last year and we moved. On paper it appeared to be the right decision, but we both hate it and long to be back in our old house, near our previous lovely neighbours and nice big garden.

Good luck with whatever you decide, op. It's a tough choice, but this definitely sounds like a case of better the devil you know.

I agree extend. I think your house extended sounds nicer than a new build and the large garden is really useful. I agree with the poster above, work out which areas of the house will be least affected and set up a mini kitchen (kettle/ toaster/ microwave/ washing up bowl) and lounge there. IKEA do a great mini kitchen which you can then sell on once the work is finished. Also book a nice holiday in a hotel if the kids are on half term etc whilst the work is being done, and maybe also a few weekends to give everyone a break.

I would extend but I think your quote is cheap. Does that include the kitchen and bathroom fittings?

I also agree that that quote sounds EXTREMELY cheap, never mind in the Home Counties, and I would be astounded if you managed an extension of that size for that cost in the current construction environment. So before you start make sure you can account for costs creeping upwards.

I'm surprised everyone thinks that's so low! By the time I've factored in the cost of the kitchen, bathroom, glazing & tiles we'll be hitting the £100k mark for what is adding essentially one corner of a box. Any more than that wouldn't be worth doing in terms of adding value. And yes, very much includes fitting (not supply) of kitchen, bathroom, tiling and floor.

A dd and SiL put a kitchen extension, about 3.5 x 4m, on the back of a 1920s semi with a good sized and well established garden. House was chosen at least partly because of a nice quiet road in an excellent location.
At the time of the extension they had a small baby plus an under 2, but luckily the builder was pretty quick and they managed. It was done in late spring/early summer - wouldn’t have been much fun in winter.

It has made the most enormous difference to the house, so well worth it, and they still have plenty of garden for dcs (now 3 of them) to play in.

Extend!! The enormous garden and transport links are worth their weight in gold, and the garden in particular will have shot up in value over the past three years. Do be aware though of massive delays accessing building supplies currently, you may have to book work in further in advance than previously...

What’s the square footage of the extension

@LimpLettice

I'm surprised everyone thinks that's so low! By the time I've factored in the cost of the kitchen, bathroom, glazing & tiles we'll be hitting the £100k mark for what is adding essentially one corner of a box. Any more than that wouldn't be worth doing in terms of adding value. And yes, very much includes fitting (not supply) of kitchen, bathroom, tiling and floor.

One corner of a box that is * essentially create a huge kitchen diner space and a bedroom suite for us plus small study*

So rather substantial but depends on square footage

Good question. Two external walls square off two existing extensions and are 6x6m ish. It's going to be so big because we will be turning our current dining space into the functional part of the kitchen with seating area and dining table in the extension. On the other side the office is already bedroom sized, so the extension is en-suite / dressing area. The study will be in what is the utility area at present. I don't think I'm explaining very well!

Oh I don’t work in metres
Square footage only

6x6 is 36 square feet

You are adding 36 square foot??

Oh ignore me!!

387 square foot.

That’s decent OP.

The quote seems on the low to me.

It really does actually whe. I think of work I’ve had done

Terraced house you say?

Hope you get on well with your neighbours!

Will you get PP easily? Ie any precedents on your street?

Seems a reasonable quote, I paid £60k 5 years ago

@gogohm

Seems a reasonable quote, I paid £60k 5 years ago

For what though?

That's helpful, thank you.

We are semi, and the neighbours did theirs a few years ago. I have talked to them and they are not worried. Yet. Access is on the other side but they are no issue as they are never there, work in London 6am -10pm most days.

Will you get an architect?

Did the builder do the drawings?

I'd extend too. Yes it's disruptive but don't underestimate how disruptive a move is... I also have two under 3! Hang on to your garden. New builds are all over the place but a decent house with a garden is harder to get hold of - at least in my area. Loads of new (or nearly new) properties that just aren't selling, but anything older with a good garden is being snapped up.

We've used an architect already, @Marmitemarinaded. His plans are lovely and they have been submitted. No fear they will be refused as so much is going up along here but there's always the chance I'm sure. We've suddenly just wondered if we are mad to face it within the littlies!

@LimpLettice

We've used an architect already, *@Marmitemarinaded*. His plans are lovely and they have been submitted. No fear they will be refused as so much is going up along here but there's always the chance I'm sure. We've suddenly just wondered if we are mad to face it within the littlies!

Fact that lots going up is a good sign

Must be so frustrating having a dh with no strong feelings either way!!