New extension when we already have small shared extension with neighbour

[CGLean77]

New extension when we already share one with neighbour

Hi, we are interested in building a bigger extension on our terraced house. But we already share a small pitched roof extension with our neighbour which contains mirroring kitchen and bathroom, we think it dates back to 90s.

 

Ideally we'd open out a lot more with a bigger open plan kitchen and family room extension. We certainly have the space but can't see how it could be done without demolishing our half of the existing structure.

 

Can this be done, and would we still have to build out our new extension from neighbour in order not to leave them with half a structure?

 

Thanks
Chris

[Ferdinand]

It looks .... complicated, and expensive to deal with the complexity and the buggeration.

 

I'm inclined to ask whether you have considered the alternative of moving house ??

 

Perhaps even to an identical one without the existing extension. Then extend that.

[CGLean77]

Yes, moving is the other option but everywhere that has what we want is above budget so we thought extending might be cheaper option... But maybe it's not. 

[MikeSharp01]

I guess its about working the numbers - the money spent on an extension can go into the move and paying the uprated mortgage for a period while your income and inflation nibble away at it. If you are thinking of putting the extension costs onto the mortgage than that may change things but again its about working the numbers. Don't forget to factor in the difficulty of finding a builder and materials to build with at the moment!

[ToughButterCup]

I'm wincing. How well do you get on with the neighbour? 

[Gone West]

We had a semi with the same layout as you back in the 90s but without your small white extension. When we sold it the new owners build a single storey extension with a ridged roof across the whole of the remaining width of the back of the house and joined it to the existing extension with a valley gutter.

[CGLean77]

Thanks - we're aware it would be very difficult so it's feeling like probably moving is better option, but just wanted to get views on how feasible it might be! 

[Mr Punter]

I think @Gone West has a decent idea.  Demolish the lean-to and build another extension the same depth as the shared one with a valley to link the roof.

[CGLean77]

Unfortunately the white lean-to isn't ours, that's the boundary with our other neighbour, so we only have the alley space to play with. 

[Ferdinand]

I think you need to consider what price you put on 1-2 years of planning and disruption.

[rh2205]

Hardly looks worth the effort for that complexity if thats the extra width that’s going, maybe in central London it might be worth the effort, but only maybe…

[Gone West]

On 06/08/2021 at 13:37, CGLean77 said:

Unfortunately the white lean-to isn't ours, that's the boundary with our other neighbour, so we only have the alley space to play with. 

What used to be over your French doors, there is a colour change in the brickwork for about a metre above the doors.

[Ferdinand]

12 minutes ago, Gone West said:

What used to be over your French doors, there is a colour change in the brickwork for about a metre above the doors.

 

I would say their version of the one on the right was removed to build the one on the left ???.

[Dave Jones]

it wouldnt be too difficult.

 

drop your side and maintain the ridge to keep next door watertight while you rebuild your side.

 

Looks harder than it would be.