Garden room or loft conversion

[Tacali]

Hey looking for advice.

Has anyone every built a garden room or converted the loft and regretted it?

We have a 3 bed bungalow and are in need of an extra bedroom due to our work we need family members to stay at times to help out with the kids.
Right now we give whoever is staying our bedroom and we sleep on a blow up bed in the livingroom which isn't sustainable for the next few years.

We can't extend due to the layout of our garden as it had a retaining wall.
Our only options are a garden room/ granny annex or convert the loft which our roof is low at the moment.

What would people do? We have been to look at other houses but we got such a good price on this house as we bought it for £95000 and it's now been values at £175000

The loft is the option I’d be more inclined to - this will add more value in years to come.

You need to weigh up the cost vs selling.

It’ll probably cost you at least £50k as a minimum for a loft conversion - we had ours converted in 2002 and back then we paid £45k - cost of materials etc and labour have increased drastically since then.

That said though, I know you got the house for a good price and the property is now worth £80k more without the loft conversion - would it not just be easier just to sell and buy a bigger property that has everything you need without having to do extensive building work. It seems cramped as it is.

I think loft will add more value but willbe more disruptive and expensive

Loft conversions are now in the region of 75k. Also some people are put off bungalows which are no longer bungalows. It may add more value but if you don't install a bathroom as well, this will be limited. However, you have a large amount of equity so you could remortgage to fund it if
needed.

A garden room will be much cheaper and give you more versatility.

Whichever you decide to do, access to a loo in the night is key. Could you even put a loo in the garden option?

If I was a future buyer of your house I'd probably prefer a loft conversion, but in your circumstances if it were possible I would move house.

A loft conversation is worth the effort and expense if you are building it for your own use or your children's, but I honestly couldn't be bothered just to have a spare room.

Although I also wouldn't be put off by a garden room as we'd use it as an office but it depends on how big your garden is! If it's taking up 50% of the space it would be a shame.

My vote is move though and avoid the hassle if possible

Is a double skinned summer house an option?