How far to extend... advice needed

teachingbean · 2023-02-13T07:38:37+00:00

Hello everyone and thanks for reading... So, we live in a detached house which is about 10m across the back. We are going for a single storey rear extension. Advice needed as to whether to go out 4m (which we can do under permittted) or slightly less at 3m. If we go for 4 it will be around 7m by 7m which is huge. So 3m will be around 7m by 6m. I'm wobbling because of extra cost for the 10sqm and then heating/furnishing it. The extension will cost a huge amount - all our savings and more. People say go for it but wondering if anyone can advice who may have been through this.... TIA

Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 07:41

Edit: the kitchen/diner will be 7by7m as the other 3m are the utility extension.

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TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 08:36

I would go for what you can get as long as it doesn’t overwhelm the garden. My kitchen is around 7x5m. We don’t have much comfy seating in it but do have a big island and dining space. If it was bigger I would have settles. We do have seating in our semi open plan lounge adjacent to the kitchen. The extra cost isn’t huge but just make sure you use the space effectively. Do you have a laundry room? Could you make other changes internally to utilize the new space? I’m a huge fan of space!

Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 08:54

TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 08:36

I would go for what you can get as long as it doesn’t overwhelm the garden. My kitchen is around 7x5m. We don’t have much comfy seating in it but do have a big island and dining space. If it was bigger I would have settles. We do have seating in our semi open plan lounge adjacent to the kitchen. The extra cost isn’t huge but just make sure you use the space effectively. Do you have a laundry room? Could you make other changes internally to utilize the new space? I’m a huge fan of space!

This is really helpful. We have a separate utility already which will also be extending as part of rear extension and incorporating a downstairs shower room (have a UC already in space)

It's the cost. I suppose builders can give me an idea of how much more/less will be to extend the extra metre out.

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Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 08:55

TizerorFizz · 13/02/2023 08:36

I would go for what you can get as long as it doesn’t overwhelm the garden. My kitchen is around 7x5m. We don’t have much comfy seating in it but do have a big island and dining space. If it was bigger I would have settles. We do have seating in our semi open plan lounge adjacent to the kitchen. The extra cost isn’t huge but just make sure you use the space effectively. Do you have a laundry room? Could you make other changes internally to utilize the new space? I’m a huge fan of space!

Oh and our garden is sizeable. Will still have plenty of space so not really an issue.

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MrsMoastyToasty · 13/02/2023 08:57

Have you got a floor plan of existing and proposed layouts?

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 13/02/2023 08:59

A scale drawing of how you will use the space for both options would help, plus a local estate agent’s opinion on what each extension will add in value to your home will help here.

When you get the costs from the builders you then have something in £ terms to help you decide if it’s worth it.

How long you are planning to stay in the house will also be a factor.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 13/02/2023 09:01

All the houses with huge open plan extensions round here have been on the market for months. The unextended ( but still spacious) house went in three days.

Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 09:27

Whatevergetsyouthroughthenight · 13/02/2023 08:59

A scale drawing of how you will use the space for both options would help, plus a local estate agent’s opinion on what each extension will add in value to your home will help here.

When you get the costs from the builders you then have something in £ terms to help you decide if it’s worth it.

How long you are planning to stay in the house will also be a factor.

Thank you so much.

It is our 'forever home' so not worried about re-sale. We live in a very desirable area in South West where properties go pretty swiftly and all houses near us have extended. I just dream of a huge kitchen/diner with an island!

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Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 09:27

MrsMoastyToasty · 13/02/2023 08:57

Have you got a floor plan of existing and proposed layouts?

Yes! Will post

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Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 09:30

MrsMoastyToasty · 13/02/2023 08:57

Have you got a floor plan of existing and proposed layouts?

Exsisiting and proposed (shown with 4m extension)

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Ariela · 13/02/2023 09:37

It's not actually going to take much extra time to extend the extra distance - in that prep work is the same, build time isn't massively different if you're adding a metre of bricks/plaster paint, but materials cost will be proportionately greater. I'm of the view go bigger given you have the space, it will give you more flexibility and then you won't regret not having gone bigger.

Original poster

teachingbean · 13/02/2023 09:39

Ariela · 13/02/2023 09:37

It's not actually going to take much extra time to extend the extra distance - in that prep work is the same, build time isn't massively different if you're adding a metre of bricks/plaster paint, but materials cost will be proportionately greater. I'm of the view go bigger given you have the space, it will give you more flexibility and then you won't regret not having gone bigger.

Thank you. This is what a lot of friends have said too.

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Lotsofthings · 13/02/2023 09:52

You need to plan the furniture and fittings of what is going in the space to determine the best size. What size dining table and chairs, sofa, kitchen etc? It doesn’t have to be the biggest size, just the right size.

NameChangedToAnswer · 13/02/2023 20:43

We had a similar dilemna when we extended last year. Ended up going for the biggest extension our budget would stretch to and was allowable under permitted development - 7m x 4.5m instead of 7m x 4m.

Bear in mind that not all the costs will rise proportionately to the size of the extension. The cost of the basic shell most likely will. However the cost of the bifold doors wont, the kitchen is likely to be the same size and cost, if you decide to put a patio outside the extension that will cost the same etc. Have you done a full costing with everything included?

Also bear in mind that the disruption caused to your lives by the work also wont increase by a 1/3rd !

In the end we're really glad we went bigger - its only 50cm but its made the difference between something where we could use it as we wanted but would be slightly cramped to one that feels nice and spacious.

You're only going to do this once, you really dont want to end up thinking if only we had that bit of extra space.

Original poster

teachingbean · 14/02/2023 06:57

NameChangedToAnswer · 13/02/2023 20:43

We had a similar dilemna when we extended last year. Ended up going for the biggest extension our budget would stretch to and was allowable under permitted development - 7m x 4.5m instead of 7m x 4m.

Bear in mind that not all the costs will rise proportionately to the size of the extension. The cost of the basic shell most likely will. However the cost of the bifold doors wont, the kitchen is likely to be the same size and cost, if you decide to put a patio outside the extension that will cost the same etc. Have you done a full costing with everything included?

Also bear in mind that the disruption caused to your lives by the work also wont increase by a 1/3rd !

In the end we're really glad we went bigger - its only 50cm but its made the difference between something where we could use it as we wanted but would be slightly cramped to one that feels nice and spacious.

You're only going to do this once, you really dont want to end up thinking if only we had that bit of extra space.

So so helpful. Thank you so much.

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Wheretheskyisblue · 14/02/2023 07:45

The only concern I would have when going bigger is lighting, how are you going to ensure the back of the kitchen is not dark. Are you having a big sky lantern in the extension?

MarieG10 · 14/02/2023 07:59

As big as possible as long as it isn't disproportionate in size and doesn't look right. Also consider size as having a traditional roof with Velux windows is (in my opinion) better than flat roofs and lanterns

Ladyoftheprom · 14/02/2023 08:26

I say go for it the only thing I would charge is the door into the gym, take this from the kitchen/dining rather than the utility - as your utility room has 4 doors in so losing loads of storage space

Sanch1 · 14/02/2023 08:26

As big as you can afford! and doesnt take away all your garden. We debated 4m or 5m out and went with the 5m as we were only destroying a raised flower bed anyway. Ours in 10m x 5m so I wouldnt worry about 7x7!

LIZS · 14/02/2023 08:33

If you already have a 3m extension are you sure you can go a further 4m under pd? How much garden would be left?

TizerorFizz · 14/02/2023 12:21

If house is already extended, check PD rights. You might need PP.

Original poster

teachingbean · 14/02/2023 15:36

Ladyoftheprom · 14/02/2023 08:26

I say go for it the only thing I would charge is the door into the gym, take this from the kitchen/dining rather than the utility - as your utility room has 4 doors in so losing loads of storage space

Yes. I think the same x

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Original poster

teachingbean · 14/02/2023 15:37

LIZS · 14/02/2023 08:33

If you already have a 3m extension are you sure you can go a further 4m under pd? How much garden would be left?

House is not extended at present. Garden is big x

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