ElliotS

Hi all, I am about to begin the process of doing some major works to my house and I wanted some opinions on what you guys think of the design and if you think it is possible. I am looking to both extend my property and convert the loft. I currently live in a detached bungalow on a street with a mish mash of houses. Next door is a two storey house, the other side is a bungalow with a huge extension and then mine sits very small in the middle. My idea is below: A double hip to gable conversion, this will open the loft space up massively. Currently I have 2.6m joist to underside of the ridge beam, so I don't have too many concerns there. The space planned to use for the stairs follows the roof line up, the height restrictions would not be a problem for the 2m headroom requirement. The area that I am unsure on is the extension. although I could add a nice extension under PD, I want to take it a step further and I don't mind applying for planning if I can achieve the result. I would like to extend out roughly 6-8m and then make use of the upstairs space as a master bedroom. effectively one big loft conversion when you include the current house. The master bedroom would have a glass gable end window with a nice little balcony (the beauty of south facing garden). My garden extends out massively, I have no problems with taking up space by extending. I have attached a basic idea below (both options of roof pitch), which leads me on to the next area of uncertainty - can you build the wall height of the extension higher and decrease the pitch of the roof to allow more standing head room across the width of the new master bedroom or do it have to run from the current height of the existing brickwork? My knowledge is very small on restrictions, so I could be well out with my ideas but I value anyone's opinion highly. Don't worry about budget too much but I'm interested to hear what you would estimate. If I have missed anything, feel free to ask me any questions. I tried my best while using Sketchup to create my first 3D house model, so the details aren't quite correct lol. Thanks for taking a look! E

Hi all, I apologise if this isn't in the correct area but I need some advise on the type of roof system used at Piccolino in Alderley edge. It's a retractable system but its very modern and not just a general slide across roof (at least not how it looks). Does anyone know anything about the design or mechanics of this? I am a part of a project where the owner is keen to include a similar design as he is trying to keep part of the existing roof for character, so something like this would work perfect. It's a long shot and not an easy question to answer, but any help is valuable. I've attached a few images to show what I'm on about. However, I can't show images of our current project as requested. Many thanks, E

Thanks for the comments back. I think this is the layout we will go for, next question is how we do the roof/ceiling. Does this type of design lend itself to a vaulted ceiling or would you suggest otherwise? you can see the roof as it is now from the images i posted last year. Cheers, E

Hi all, Back to my old thread here but we are a year on and the house mentioned above has been a dream for us. Now we are looking at an extension, but I wanted an opinion from some of you. I have attached a layout that I think would be nice (not exactly to scale, just a sketch up of an idea i have done.) I have put our current floorplan underneath so that you can see for reference the idea i am going for. There are are a couple of things I'd like to do/keep listed below If possible, avoid moving kitchen (back will be knocked out but will create an island type bar with the sink on with an open plan to the new lounge space) although if something really works better, I would do it. We need to keep a hair room for my partners business (doesn't need to have windows) The house has to become a 3 bed The master bedroom (currently room 2) will ideally have an en suite & room 3 which is the lounge at the moment will become a bedroom (if the idea I go with sticks) The open plan part is going to be some sort of vaulted ceiling with bi-fold doors onto the garden. My main concern is that if I go with the design attached, when it comes round to having children, they will have their bedrooms at the front while the master is at the back. Would this be a concern to you guys if you were a) building the extension yourself or b) looking to buy the house with children? It's worth pointing out that we live in a really nice village area, not busy and we have the most fantastic neighbours. Thanks for taking the time to read this E

There currently is no heating system, it’s been empty for 50 years. The insulation is that of an 1800s build but not too much can be changed because of heritage. Windows are all single glazed wood frame too. Room sizes are as below: Lounge: (middle floor) 4m 5m H 2.5m Kitchen:(middle floor) 3.2m 5m H 2.5m Bed1:(top floor) 5m 3.3m H 2.2m Bath(top floor) 2m 2.7m 2.2 h Bed2(top floor) 3.2 5m H 2.5m Ground floor (sort of entryway/laundry area) 2m 3.2m H 2.3m I have taken into account the output of the ashp being lower than gas boiler. if we were to get individual parts, what would we need to get? I know obviously the outside unit and cylinder (which we are looking at about 150l) but is there any extra cylinders or parts we will need besides the electric/plumbing gear? please let me know if I’m completely missing anything.

Hi all, I’m not sure if this has already been discussed but every persons situation is different I guess. Anyway, we are renovating a flat and we are looking to install an air source heat pump as there is no gas into the property. We have had a couple of people come out and see the building and they have said it’s possible but then nothing really has moved forward from there. This is completely new to us so we only know what we have read up online briefly. so far we have been advised an 8kw system for the flat as it’s over 3 floors, I have already used an online tool for rads and took into account a 30% increase of output as suggested by the guys who visited us. the main thing we want to know is are there any best brands or is there is package bundle anyone can recommend? We have had a quote of about £8500 +vat for full installation with a 200L water tank. The flat will only have 1 bathroom, small downstairs toilet and likely only 1 radiator per room. we have electricians and plumbers (both can turn their hand to anything) for the job as part of the company, so if we can install it ourselves then we will. please feel free to message me with any questions, I’d even be willing to speak to someone on the phone if it’s easier. Sorry if it’s brief but I’m quickly trying to get this out there so we can move forward

Thank you for taking the time to put that together, its an interesting idea. I hadn't considered moving the bathroom because of it being extra work (on a budget very tight for first time buyers). I also hadn't thought about re-arranging internal walls because I don't mind how the current plan is but its worth taking into consideration. I figured that extending back on the currently property (full width) would work out easier and cheaper. What are your thoughts on doing this in timber frame? I plan to render the entire house white (as a few have already done in the street) so the rear would match.

You are right, which is why its coming down. its literally been thrown on, not even tied into the brickwork. We don't plan to demolish the house, we plan just to extend and make the most of what we currently have. The previous owner had tractors and other machinery so I guess they found it easier to be solid instead of grass etc. Actually behind the tress you see at the back is a huge double garage with more free space behind that leading to the back gate you can see. There is plenty of parking space on the front and a private road at the rear for vehicle access too. We are aware there is a lot of work to be done, this house hasn't been updated since god knows when but it's all part of the fun and reason we took it on. it's one of them you've got to see it to understand it's potential kind of houses. Pictures really don't do it any favours unfortunately.

Hi all, Only my second thread so apologies if my knowledge is slim on things. We have pretty much secured our first house and the sale is moving through very quickly (first time buyers, no chain and a friendship with the owner). We have opted for a bungalow which was on a generous plot size in comparison to the house. a little different for a 21 year old but I see the potential to make this a very nice home. I would like some of your experienced opinions on where and how best to utilise the available space. My first thought for real change is that I feel it needs an extension. It isn't a big bungalow by any means but its adequate for me and my partner for now so we have time on our hands to search around for the best option. My thoughts are to extend out the full width of the house back as far as possible and open the current back kitchen wall to create an 'L' shaped open plan kitchen, diner and new living room (the rear of the house is south facing). This would free up the current living room as a new bedroom, making it a 3 bedroom bungalow which will add value, right? I need your help on how to best go about this. How would the roof design affect the extension, would it have to be a flat roof? My other thought is to extend out the back and leave the 'loft' space above the extension open for a possible loft conversion in the future but again, I don't know if it would be possible because of the roof without it looking out of shape. Also, the current 'sun porch is coming down ASAP. I am open to timber frame extensions etc and I have a lot of family and friends in the building trade which will hopefully bring the cost down. I don't know if its worth noting but we are the end bungalow, the house next door is a 2 storey building. Pictures attached. Thanks for taking the time to read and help.

Thank again to everyone who previously responded to this. It is almost certain I will go with a renovation project and build up that way, I have found a suitable property but there is work that needs to be done as well. Its only small and will need an extension of some sort adding to it to make it suitable. Has anyone got any experience with SIP extensions or are timber frame extensions a thing? inexperience really showing here, sorry guys.

I have just had a read through that thread and it appears very frustrating, the HMRC will give any excuse to fight their corner. Regarding VAT return, is this only on materials outside of the timber framed house itself or is this a part of it? Please tell me if I'm completely wrong but hypothetically speaking, if I purchased a TF house or SIP house for 110k from Potton for example, Would I be eligible to claim the VAT back on the full unit or just materials that we purchase separate like plasterboard, windows etc? Sorry if that is a really rookie question, my knowledge is limited on this subject.

I can view it now, I will take a look through it.

I have requested information on any pre-existing services but not had a response as of yet.

Thank you for the link but it says I don't have access to the folder? Is there a time constraint to build the house or is it a restriction on time after materials are purchased to reclaim VAT? I thought I saw it was 3 months after completed build?

That is something I will certainly look at doing. Is there not a grey area for requesting information on property that isn't yours?