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Original poster

This work will be worth the money, won't it? DH not sure!

55 replies

fromthevault · 17/12/2024 12:32

Our washing machine is currently only accessible from the back garden and it's driving me insane. I want to do the work that will be necessary to be able to access it internally, but DH has expressed doubts that it will add value...is he right??

It's a detached 1930s house and the attached garage was converted long before we moved in and we now use it as an office / gym dumping ground. The back portion of the garage was sectioned off and the plumbing for the washing machine is in there. However you can't access it internally! This is manageable in the summer (and clothes are hung outside anyway), but horrendous in the winter months when I have to traipse in and out of the house with washing in the pissing rain or even snow.

After 4 years of this shit I'm fed up. There's no space in the kitchen to move the washing machine in there, but we could convert the 'washing machine shed' into a small utility, add a downstairs loo, and access it from the garage conversion / office. I feel as if the 10k or so we've been quoted (on average) to do this will be hugely worth it in terms of quality of life whilst we're here AND will add value if/when we sell. It's mad to have to go outside to put a wash on, right??

OP posts:
alfhroa · 17/12/2024 12:42

I wouldn't care about adding value, that would do my head in! Just do it, if nothing else it will help saleability.

Ariela · 17/12/2024 12:42

100%. will add masses to the value. Nobody wants to traipse outside in winter.
And an extra downstairs loo is worth it too.
Can you look at similar houses recently sold prices and see if those that HAVE integrated a utility & added a downstairs loo have added value above those that have not?

Jeezitneverends · 17/12/2024 12:43

It’s not always about adding value-it’s about making life more comfortable

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 17/12/2024 12:43

Well i wouldn't buy a house with that set up so if you are looking to resell (and for your own sanity!) kust do it.

TheBeesKnee · 17/12/2024 12:45

Presumably your DH doesn't see the issue because he doesn't do the laundry - or not enough to be affected by going outside every bloody time in all sorts of weather?!

I would absolutely get the work done. But also have a look in general at what else could be done with the space to make it functional/better beyond the bare minimum that you require.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 17/12/2024 12:46

Let me guess, your DH isn’t the one who has to traipse out to the washing machine… If you can afford it, definitely do it! For you first and foremost and any added value is a bonus.

ApolloandDaphne · 17/12/2024 12:47

Of course it will be worth while. If your DH disagrees tell him you are doing no more washing and see how he enjoys traipsing in and out to do it.

Original poster
fromthevault · 17/12/2024 12:49

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 17/12/2024 12:43

Well i wouldn't buy a house with that set up so if you are looking to resell (and for your own sanity!) kust do it.

I know, we were up against it in terms of both budget and time when we bought it, and I didn't really think twice about it at the time. Plus most of the time it's only DH and I so it's not as if the wm is going at all hours of the day. But it's absolutely doing my head in as it is, and I can't see how a family would find it an attractive option when we come to sell!

The previous owners brought up 3 kids here, god knows how they managed...

OP posts:
Dearg · 17/12/2024 12:49

With the addition of a downstairs loo, accessible from the home office or gym space - absolutely worth it. Just keep a close eye on the cost.

kelsaycobbles · 17/12/2024 12:51

So he doesn't do the washing

Give him the choice of taking over laundry or getting the work done

FWIW I suspect it would more than pay for itself when you come to sell

Pyjamatimenow · 17/12/2024 12:52

Worth it. Had the same scenario in our old house. We had a terrible time selling it!

Original poster
fromthevault · 17/12/2024 12:52

Can you look at similar houses recently sold prices and see if those that HAVE integrated a utility & added a downstairs loo have added value above those that have not?

Trouble is it's quite an unusual house for the area, nothing similar around. He's been spooked by next door I think, who've taken a year to eventually sell for less than they bought it for, but I don't think their house / situation is comparable to ours.

OP posts:
WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 17/12/2024 12:57

I wouldn’t even consider purchasing a house with that set up unless the price reflected that the work needed to be done. Let your DH do his own laundry is his winter, see if he changes his mind!

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 17/12/2024 12:58

alfhroa · 17/12/2024 12:42

I wouldn't care about adding value, that would do my head in! Just do it, if nothing else it will help saleability.

100% this.

It's the kind of thing that makes people NOT put in an offer on a home they otherwise love.
Even in a buoyant market it would put several buyers off.

Also can you really put a price on your sanity??? 😵‍💫

BruceAndNosh · 17/12/2024 13:02

If the 10 grand includes a downstairs loo, do it

Original poster
fromthevault · 17/12/2024 13:02

Thanks everyone - just needed a sense check!

if the work is done, would it bother you that it can only be accessed from the garage conversion rather than eg: from under the stairs? The consumer unit and electric meter are currently under the stairs and would be an expensive PITA to move.

OP posts:
blackberryhill · 17/12/2024 13:03

My parents house had a similar set-up when I was growing up - many 'fond' memories of wading through the rain and snow to deal with laundry (Scottish Highlands so there was plenty of inclement weather kicking about!)

They did some rejigging just before COVID hit and it's been a massive improvement and made the house far more useable. Sometimes you have to detach from thinking about pure rise in value and consider the wider picture and your quality of life.

JC03745 · 17/12/2024 13:20

if the work is done, would it bother you that it can only be accessed from the garage conversion rather than eg: from under the stairs?

Will you still need to go outside the house to get to the garage, or will be a door to access it directly from the house? Sorry, still trying to work the layout out in my head.

I can't believe you have put up with this for 4yrs!!! I would absolutely do it. If adding a downstairs loo, I'd also consider a shower. You will have paid for the plumbing etc, so if room allowed, you can get either a small, corner shower, or just a screen and a wet room floor. If the flooring is flat to get from the main house into the garage, it makes the bathroom usable if someone struggled with stairs in the future too.

Mrsbloggz · 17/12/2024 13:26

Make him do the laundry.

gingerbreadd · 17/12/2024 13:28

if the work is done, would it bother you that it can only be accessed from the garage conversion rather than eg: from under the stairs? The consumer unit and electric meter are currently under the stairs and would be an expensive PITA to move.

It’s a bit hard to make sense of this without seeing a floorplan, but I for one am confused by the mention of accessing a washing machine under the stairs - I’ve only ever known them to be in kitchens or utility rooms.

Can the garage conversion be accessed without going into the back garden? If yes, I don’t see the big deal.

MathiasBroucek · 17/12/2024 13:30

It will be much harder to sell without the change. Fewer potential buyers usually means a lower price so....

JaneandtheLaundry · 17/12/2024 13:37

fromthevault · 17/12/2024 13:02

Thanks everyone - just needed a sense check!

if the work is done, would it bother you that it can only be accessed from the garage conversion rather than eg: from under the stairs? The consumer unit and electric meter are currently under the stairs and would be an expensive PITA to move.

Could you do a diagram? I'm not sure I can visualise all the different ways this could be laid out or that I'm necessarily imagining the correct one.

DPotter · 17/12/2024 13:41

I don't think it would add value. Would make it more saleable yes. But most importantly it would make your life so much easier.

I personally don't like washing machines under the stairs - the noise travels up the stairwell. Keep it in the garage

JC03745 · 17/12/2024 13:42

I was tempted to ask for a diagram too, but thought I might be a PITA 😆

Original poster
fromthevault · 17/12/2024 13:44

Yes, the garage conversion can be accessed without going outside, there's a door off the hallway. So we would put a door into the back wall of the conversion and there would be the wm / downstairs loo (I believe this is sometimes referred to as a 'lootility'?!).

Basically using the same footprint that's already there but accessing internally rather than externally and adding a toilet / sink into the space. We did consider a shower too but tbh I don't think there's room to do it properly without making the space really small and my priority would be a decent laundry space.

OP posts: