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!

As you have had an extension before you know that although hell when you are in it, it is temporary and will end. I just kept looking at the final plans to help me through it.

We did use disposable plates and bowls at one stage but my builders were fantastic and managed to keep the original kitchen sink cabinet and dishwasher even putting in a temporary drain for it just in the middle of the floor as the kitchen wall was taken down. It was so they could fill the kettle easily but still, a godsend.

Definitely do the extension. You would be mad to give up what you have now.

Oh, when he does, he really does! We've been planning this for about 18m, were set. It was me getting cold feet and he's always good to examine all the possibilities. Too much thinking time. But I think you're all right, it makes sense.

We're in the midst of a similar extension to our 1930s semi on the outskirts of London. We're currently at the stage of thinking what the hell have we done! Our previous extension went really smoothly, but this time round the combined effects of COVID/Brexit & high demand have led to material shortages and delays which have had a big impact.

I hope it will be worth it in the end but it's a long slog living on a building site at the moment!

Our previous extension went really smoothly, but this time round the combined effects of COVID/Brexit & high demand have led to material shortages and delays which have had a big impact.

Exactly this. We had a loft conversion done two and a half years ago and it all ran exactly to time and all costs stayed exactly the same as quoted. We are now about a third of the way through a single storey kitchen diner extension (should be half way through by now) and are already on our third delay of a few days due to materials shortages. Plus the costs have spiralled. Same excellent small firm of builders as last time. We don't regret it for a second though - it's just taking a bit longer than we'd hoped.

We are in the middle of a single storey kitchen extension and you have to have the planning skills of an air traffic controller to manage all the various delays in materials and the tight schedules of all the necessary trades in such a way that you aren't left with the build regularly grinding to a halt.

It bears no relation to the extension we built ten years ago.

I would extend and get the space you want and need... but I would put in a garden office now if your garden is that big so you have the extra space now and while you build the extension. A new build (which you are paying a premium for) with poor transport links wouldn't be a great choice in my opinion.

The study is going into the existing utility. DH will work in the office a fair amount. We also have a good sized summerhouse he can use when the weather is good.

I mean this is the thing. DSis is stalled on her bills due to materials etc and having nightmares with it, and they have parents over the road to use their facilities plus their kids are teens. It's going to be painful, no doubt. A new build does come with its own drawback, that's for sure. I hadn't considered enough for DD wanting lifts everywhere if we are further out, either.