Bungalow Roof Lift - Potential Floor Plans

[Cheesus]

Hi all, we are in the process of looking to rennovate a 2 bedroom bungalow to incorporate an annex/granny flat plus a roof lift. We have just started with very rough sketching prior to appointing an architect and this is what we have so far (we need to add a staircase). We are considering having a vaulted ceiling over the end of the living/dining room but this would depend on cost and if we can accomodate a bedroom, dressing room and house bathroom upstairs plus the steps. 

 

The annex would be self contained to the left. The first rough draft of the downstairs floor plan is below (measurements are approximate at the moment but the gist of it is hopefully clear). Does anybody have any input on what we have done so far please and any comments on how to design the upstairs including steps? 

 

We're hoping to give the architect as much to go on as possible. 

 

Thanks. 

[Conor]

Roof lift as in adding another floor? Demolish and start from scratch.

[torre]

1 hour ago, Conor said:

Roof lift as in adding another floor?

Or are you lifting the roof slightly to turn this into a dormer/1.5 storey?

 

Presumably the annexe is intended to be self contained but you've not shown a bed? If the annexe will be all on one storey I'd consider juggling proportions and/or bringing the front forward so there's a small snug/lounge at the front and bedroom at the rear. (Guessing a bit based on limited info)

[G and J]

1 hour ago, Conor said:

Roof lift as in adding another floor? Demolish and start from scratch.

+1 to this

 

We bought a 'tired' bungalow with thoughts of adding a first floor. When it came to it the basic structure was just not worth it (this was even more obvious as we progressed). So we have demolished and will end up with a much better built and insulated house.

 

Yes it costs more in the short term, but depending on how the bungalow is constructed and how long you think you want to be there think of it as paying up front fir a more economical (and comfortable) home.

[Cheesus]

10 hours ago, torre said:

Or are you lifting the roof slightly to turn this into a dormer/1.5 storey?

 

Presumably the annexe is intended to be self contained but you've not shown a bed? If the annexe will be all on one storey I'd consider juggling proportions and/or bringing the front forward so there's a small snug/lounge at the front and bedroom at the rear. (Guessing a bit based on limited info)

 

Sorry, to be clear bedroom 1 would be part of the annex and the annex us planned to be downstairs only. We are planning on an increase in the roof height of around 2m using attic trusses in the new roof to enable a bedroom, bathroom + whatever in the upstairs, effectivly 1.5 storey as you say.

 

Thanks. 

 

[Cheesus]

10 hours ago, G and J said:

+1 to this

 

We bought a 'tired' bungalow with thoughts of adding a first floor. When it came to it the basic structure was just not worth it (this was even more obvious as we progressed). So we have demolished and will end up with a much better built and insulated house.

 

Yes it costs more in the short term, but depending on how the bungalow is constructed and how long you think you want to be there think of it as paying up front fir a more economical (and comfortable) home.

 

Thanks, the bungalow itself is fine - it's 1970s and was built by a very reputable local builder so no obvious reasons why it wouldn't work structurally (obviously we can't say for certain until the survey is done) it's just smaller than needed to do what we want to do. We have plenty of room to extend on the ground floor (and a fair size garden) but we can't really make the design work to keep 2x seperate living spaces. 

 

 

[Cheesus]

11 hours ago, Conor said:

Roof lift as in adding another floor? Demolish and start from scratch.

 

Yes, making it 1.5 storey. For a few reasons demolish and start from scratch isn't really an option for us. 

Thanks 

[torre]

I'd pull the shower room forward and also add a new doorway next to the annex front entrance straight into bed 1. That would bring its kitchen wall forward for more living space and also free up that corridor/lobby space in the main house by the boiler (but still have a door between annex and main)

 

If losing bed 1 is your main motivation for the roof lift then a much cheaper compromise option would be to make the front of the annex open plan sitting room + kitchen then the shower room and the bedroom at the back. Keep bed 1 for the main house. 

 

There's a chance with a large side extension plugs a roof lift that you spend an awful lot for limited gains, versus finding a property already better suited or doing the minimum to be workable, but I appreciate when you need the annex for family decisions aren't easy

[Iceverge]

On 18/09/2025 at 21:12, Cheesus said:

Thanks, the bungalow itself is fine - it's 1970s and was built by a very reputable local builder so no obvious reasons why it wouldn't work structurally. 

 

 

Until you take it apart.

 

Knock and rebuild. 

[Mr Punter]

As others have mentioned it may be far better to start afresh.  You have not posted an existing floor plan but I guess the works would be very extensive.  The "roof lift" may involve a temporary roof scaffold, removing the entire roof, building up the walls and fitting a new roof structure and covering.  There will not be any prospects of you living there while the work is going on.

 

If you go down the new build route, demolition costs are fairly reasonable and there are several lenders who will help finance this.  You will also be able to reclaim the VAT.  It will probably a lot quicker.  There will be more cost certainty.

[Cheesus]

Thanks for the replies all, certainly some food for thought.