On the topic of Property Development, John Barnard (developer for 30 years) gave me the following tips.
Often by re- ordering the layout you can add value to the upstairs - years ago people didn't seem to mind having one bedroom leading off to another.
Today we are more demanding.
Look to see if you can slice a portion of an existing bedroom to create better managed circulation space and provide direct access to that inner bedroom.
A bathroom can be enlarged considerably if you take out the wall that separates it from the toilet.
Repositioning the doorway you can sometimes steal an extra metre of otherwise under-utilized landing space.
Airing cupboards were popular in the days before central heating was the norm.
Nowadays, once towels or sheets are dry, in modern homes they remain dry.
So, can you remove the airing cupboard and install a shower instead? Always look to add value.
It's not all plain sailing; you will need to obtain Building Regulation Approval to install steel beams to take the weight of load-bearing walls and likewise you might need to hire a concrete breaker to allow you to install drainage runs to provide a downstairs toilet but spending money in these areas may well prove more profitable than waiting out the planning process (that may not even prove successful) to finally be able to build that extension.
In any case, refurbishment of a property these days almost always involves the Building Control department of the Local Authority, so the additional burden of structural elements of your scheme won't be a significant cost factor.
The fundamental rule is how can I gain space? This applies every bit as much outside as it does in.
Look at how the outside space/garden could be presented as a natural extension of the kitchen breakfast room.
Could you install a set of wooden folding doors that can be slid back to present a patio for outside dining?
Often by re- ordering the layout you can add value to the upstairs - years ago people didn't seem to mind having one bedroom leading off to another.
Today we are more demanding.
Look to see if you can slice a portion of an existing bedroom to create better managed circulation space and provide direct access to that inner bedroom.
A bathroom can be enlarged considerably if you take out the wall that separates it from the toilet.
Repositioning the doorway you can sometimes steal an extra metre of otherwise under-utilized landing space.
Airing cupboards were popular in the days before central heating was the norm.
Nowadays, once towels or sheets are dry, in modern homes they remain dry.
So, can you remove the airing cupboard and install a shower instead? Always look to add value.
It's not all plain sailing; you will need to obtain Building Regulation Approval to install steel beams to take the weight of load-bearing walls and likewise you might need to hire a concrete breaker to allow you to install drainage runs to provide a downstairs toilet but spending money in these areas may well prove more profitable than waiting out the planning process (that may not even prove successful) to finally be able to build that extension.
In any case, refurbishment of a property these days almost always involves the Building Control department of the Local Authority, so the additional burden of structural elements of your scheme won't be a significant cost factor.
The fundamental rule is how can I gain space? This applies every bit as much outside as it does in.
Look at how the outside space/garden could be presented as a natural extension of the kitchen breakfast room.
Could you install a set of wooden folding doors that can be slid back to present a patio for outside dining?