Kitchen Extension: Should I or not?
Discussion
Hi folks, I'm considering having a small kitchen extension built but can't decide whether there will be any net gain to the value of the house. I've done a bit of internet research and haven't really found any conclusive evidence either way.
The kitchen currently has a floorspace of 5.5 m^2 at the moment and the extension would fill the small gap between my kitchen and the neighbour's taking floorspace up to 10m^2: the total floorspace on both floors of the house is currently 40m^2 (God my house sounds microscopic now!). I don't want to build out any further into the garden which itself is small but adequate and knocking through the wall to the living room through to make one big living space is not really a cost effective option as the wall is 2 feet thick and solid stone. (The house was originally built in 1850 and the kitchen is an extension added approximately 8 years ago)
I reckon it would cost around £4500 to have the extension built but can't decide if its worth the hassle on a house which I paid £135000 for in Jul 08 and is probably still worth the same now give or take a few thousand (Going on local house prices).
I am putting in a new kitchen regardless (Which is much needed) and I intend to move house in 2 years time down south so its not like I would personally benefit much from it. So, the exam question is, is the cost of the extension going to be outweighed by the benefits of an increased house value?
Thanks in advance.
The kitchen currently has a floorspace of 5.5 m^2 at the moment and the extension would fill the small gap between my kitchen and the neighbour's taking floorspace up to 10m^2: the total floorspace on both floors of the house is currently 40m^2 (God my house sounds microscopic now!). I don't want to build out any further into the garden which itself is small but adequate and knocking through the wall to the living room through to make one big living space is not really a cost effective option as the wall is 2 feet thick and solid stone. (The house was originally built in 1850 and the kitchen is an extension added approximately 8 years ago)
I reckon it would cost around £4500 to have the extension built but can't decide if its worth the hassle on a house which I paid £135000 for in Jul 08 and is probably still worth the same now give or take a few thousand (Going on local house prices).
I am putting in a new kitchen regardless (Which is much needed) and I intend to move house in 2 years time down south so its not like I would personally benefit much from it. So, the exam question is, is the cost of the extension going to be outweighed by the benefits of an increased house value?
Thanks in advance.
V12Les said:
IF!...you can get it built for £4.5k, go for it.
'IF' indeed! I'm basing my estimate on what the previous owner was quoted which was £3500 at mates rates. She did have a particular fondness for doing everything as cheaply as possible so I anticpate it could cost as much as £6000.How many bedrooms is the house? Is it the sort of house that a small family might move in to after you?
Whilst it might not add a massive amount on to the house, it might make it sell quicker? Having a slightly bigger kitchen might make it more appealing than similar houses in the area? Selling it quickly would always be a bonus when you decide to move on in 2 years.
I think it will cost a fair bit more than £4500. once you consider material costs and labour, that £4500 won't go very far, even at mate's rates.
Whilst it might not add a massive amount on to the house, it might make it sell quicker? Having a slightly bigger kitchen might make it more appealing than similar houses in the area? Selling it quickly would always be a bonus when you decide to move on in 2 years.
I think it will cost a fair bit more than £4500. once you consider material costs and labour, that £4500 won't go very far, even at mate's rates.
Si 330 said:
A good kitchen can make your house very saleable but as has been said already your estimate seems very low. Just put a kitchen extension through planning, going out 2m and a width of 6m. 3 quotes have come in varying from £12.5 to £17 this doesn't include the kitchen units.
Could you give a bit more detail on what's being done for that price, as I'm thinking of doing similar.Is £4.5k a cash price for the labour?
While a good kitchen can be a main selling point, and attract a better class of punter when it comes to sell time, a bodged extension may devalue your house, unless your lucky and ruthless enough to find someone clueless.
If it's a small house you can get away with a small but well designed kitchen, a little thought at planning stage and efficient use of space and light goes a long way.
While a good kitchen can be a main selling point, and attract a better class of punter when it comes to sell time, a bodged extension may devalue your house, unless your lucky and ruthless enough to find someone clueless.
If it's a small house you can get away with a small but well designed kitchen, a little thought at planning stage and efficient use of space and light goes a long way.
Just to answer some of the questions posed:
1. How many houses like mine are around? Its a 2 bedroom terraced cottage which is typical of South Cumbria. A number of houses like this were built in the 19th century to house the local miners. The location is relatively unique however and is situated in a hamlet of 30 houses which is a popular location as it is close to the lake district (6 miles) without the ridiculous price tag.
2. How many bedroom and would a small family move in? 2 bedrooms as stated above, however the area does not tend to attract small families: there are a couple of families however, around a quarter of the houses are holiday homes and the remainder are owned by middle aged couples. At 27 me and the missus are the youngest by a decade.
3. Would it make the house sell quicker? Maybe; I'm of the opinion a well designed quality kitchen would improve saleability by a similar amount. Houses don't come up for sale too often in the village. Next door has sold STC but needs a lot of work to improve habitability as the living room is tiny and the bathroom is downstairs.
In terms of what I think it would cost, I've made an assumption (And we all know what assumptions are...) The previous owner had stated that if she couldn't sell the house she would extend the kitchen which would cost her around £3500 at mates rates.
I, on the other hand, would not consider doing the extension unless I could afford to have a decent quality of work carried out, what would be the point of doing it otherwise? At the moment I am leaning towards a new kitchen which makes the best of the available space as I can afford to do this in february without any hassle, whereas to save up for an extension as well would mean living like a pauper for a year.
1. How many houses like mine are around? Its a 2 bedroom terraced cottage which is typical of South Cumbria. A number of houses like this were built in the 19th century to house the local miners. The location is relatively unique however and is situated in a hamlet of 30 houses which is a popular location as it is close to the lake district (6 miles) without the ridiculous price tag.
2. How many bedroom and would a small family move in? 2 bedrooms as stated above, however the area does not tend to attract small families: there are a couple of families however, around a quarter of the houses are holiday homes and the remainder are owned by middle aged couples. At 27 me and the missus are the youngest by a decade.
3. Would it make the house sell quicker? Maybe; I'm of the opinion a well designed quality kitchen would improve saleability by a similar amount. Houses don't come up for sale too often in the village. Next door has sold STC but needs a lot of work to improve habitability as the living room is tiny and the bathroom is downstairs.
In terms of what I think it would cost, I've made an assumption (And we all know what assumptions are...) The previous owner had stated that if she couldn't sell the house she would extend the kitchen which would cost her around £3500 at mates rates.
I, on the other hand, would not consider doing the extension unless I could afford to have a decent quality of work carried out, what would be the point of doing it otherwise? At the moment I am leaning towards a new kitchen which makes the best of the available space as I can afford to do this in february without any hassle, whereas to save up for an extension as well would mean living like a pauper for a year.
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