Liz from Abbey Wood asks: ‘My kids have returned from university so we are now a family of five adults living in a squashed three bed terraced house. Space is tight, there’s little storage, and only one loo between us all plus we can barely fit into our kitchen at the same time.
‘We can’t afford to trade up and want to know the easiest and cheapest renovations to get us more living space and storage which hopefully won’t be too disruptive?’
Our panel of experts:
James Gold: Chartered Building Consultant and Director of Landmark Lofts
Michael Holmes: Renovation expert and author of ‘Renovating for Profit’ (Ebury)
Declan Curran: Founder of HomeFix Direct
What our experts said:
The classic loft conversion is an ideal way to create the additional space.
‘Depending on roof type, one or two additional bedrooms can be created as well as a bathroom and additional storage. Alternatively, the extra space could function as a guest bedroom, an additional living space or a retreat for the adults to escape to,’ says James Gold.
Most terraces like Liz’s have lofts that can be converted, the work usually doesn’t take long, it can be as short as eight weeks, and owners don’t usually have to move out.
Because of their shape, loft conversions generally include eaves storage space at the front of the house that’s perfect for storing bulky items like suitcases and Christmas decorations.
‘However, to maximise storage and utilise space effectively, I’d recommend having large fitted wardrobes built in as well,’ says Gold who estimates the job at around £35-40,000.
‘Make sure you use a reputable specialist such as a chartered building company to ensure a high quality finish and professional project management.’
Michael Holmes agrees that a loft conversion is probably Liz’s best bet financially.
The typical Victorian or Edwardian three bedroom terraced house has quite a large roof space which lends itself very well to conversion, with the addition of a rear facing dormer window and rooflights to the front.
The new staircase should fit into the existing landing area.
‘You can then remodel the existing master bedroom to create space for an extra family bathroom or small en suite shower room,’ suggests Holmes.
Liz isn’t in a conservation area so a loft conversion would constitute ‘permitted development’ which gets automatic planning permission and therefore there’s no planning fee. Holmes also suggests that Liz considers a rear side return extension.
‘On the ground floor the lowest cost option is to remodel rather than to extend, by knocking through from the middle dining room into the kitchen area at the back and refitting the kitchen in the old dining room where there is more space.’
A side return rear extension is the classic solution for a terraced house. This extends across the whole of the back of the property on a single storey, widening the existing kitchen and adding new space overlooking the garden.
Adding 30m2 of new space, plus linking the extension with a new knock through opening, will cost £45-60,000 depending on finish.
Liz’s problem is a common one says Declan Curran: ‘ Graduate kids have fewer job prospects and therefore less chance of moving out than previous generations.’
If Liz has room in her garden, Declan’s ‘trendy’ suggestion includes installing a ‘garden pod’:
‘These tend to come pre-fabricated and can be connected to the house’s existing electricity, water and drainage systems, and are typically used as home offices or ‘dens’.’
Curran fears that this may not give Liz as much room as an extension so if she has the funds she might want to consider both.
‘One of these would no doubt add some extra room to Liz’s house but wouldn’t really satisfy the needs of all the adults who now require genuinely usable living space; unless her garden is big enough to convincingly accommodate both an extension and a separate ‘pod’.’