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veer1 · Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: UK

Hi There,

I am hoping to get some help/advice on what to do to my house!!!

It’s a fairly large detached house that requires total modernization thought:

Re-wiring
New plumbing
New central heating
New windows
New kitchen and bathroom
Full re-decoration

We would also like to have a double story extension added to the rear of the property which would give us a larger master bed-room with en-suite and walk in wardrobes. And, (yes it doesn’t stop there) I want a loft conversion to add a extra bedroom to the house.

Now here is the problem, with all the work that is required and all the work I want do, is it not better to consider a total re-build of the house??

What do you guts think and how much money do you think I should be allocating for the works?

Thanks all

AlanE · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

I, nor anybody else, would have the faintest idea whether to suggest refurb or rebuild based on the information you have supplied. Nor how much you would need to allow for the work.

Structural condition of property as it stands now would have a major bearing on that decision but you have made no comments on that front. I think you need to sit down and work out if it is possible, assuming structually sound, to extend the property in the ways you envisage and then you would be half way at least to making a decision.

Get a builder in for a chat and a quote, even if you had to pay for their time they could give you first hand advise that would be related to the condition of your property.

How much? Well again you give no information regarding location. Costs vary greatly depending upon which regeion of the country the property is located in.

veer1 · Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: UK

Thank you for your reply,

I have only recently purchased and the survey concluded that the property is relatively sound structurally. Although, they did sit some subsidence in the out building, which is adjacent the main structure.

The main reason I am dithering between a rebuild and a refurb is the flow of the house, I would need to move a few internal walls and add a pitch tiled roofs to the existing extensions. It is for these reasons that I am considering a re-build.

This would be my first time under taking any thing of this nature so I know I will not be providing all the relevant information, but just let me know and will do my best.

Oh, my house is in the west midlands, Solihull.

Thanks again

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4755 Location: Bath

The first consideration is can the old building be knocked down or is it protected, certainly a new build would be a better property than several add ons.

I would get a couple of prices for both options.