Build thread - bungalow to house
Discussion
Inspired by @covmutley’s thread, I thought I should share our project as we get ready to start the build phase.
We moved into the house approx 18mths ago for its location and lovely plot in the area we wanted to be. The house was ok downstairs but a mess upstairs with lots of wasted space due to a poor conversion as can be seen in the photos below.
From the front - not too bad...
Inside was a different matter...
We started the planning phase just over a year ago. The original idea was to square off the back and add a couple of bedrooms where the landing currently is. We had 4 or 5 architects come round who basically said they would draw up our ideas and gave no design input - it wasn’t a good time.
Then we were recommended an architect from a friend, who basically told us our ideas were crap, that we had all the footprint we needed, we just couldn’t see it due to the poor upstairs layout.
The architect was not the cheapest, but has been brilliant throughout the design stage. We took the plans to our neighbours before they were submitted to give them a chance to air any concerns, but both were great and we achieved planning without an issue. The architect also produced a spec sheet so that the builders could quote against the same work, but even with that, we ended up with a £200k difference between top and bottom. We had to make a few adjustments to save some costs, but wanted to retain the original vision and are very happy with the final layouts.
We are ‘just’ ( there has been a lot of use of the word ‘just’ in this project) removing the existing roof, building up approx 1.2m and putting a new roof on. I have always loved symmetrical houses, so this has given us the ability to achieve that.
Our final plans are as per the photos below:
The proposed elevations
The revised ground floor
The revised upper floor
Bedroom 5 will be used as a dressing room to the master, but has a door added so that if we ever decide to move, it can easily be made into a room.
These plans also avoid expensive ground works and utilise the existing locations for drains etc. All useful as we are moving downstairs while the work is done.
The hideous downstairs loo has a shower in it, and whilst it’s horrible, it at least provides us showering facilities during the build.
Builder is due to start on 20th January and my wife has already started an instagram account to record our progress, if anyone is interested - the account is @renovationcation
We moved into the house approx 18mths ago for its location and lovely plot in the area we wanted to be. The house was ok downstairs but a mess upstairs with lots of wasted space due to a poor conversion as can be seen in the photos below.
From the front - not too bad...
Inside was a different matter...
We started the planning phase just over a year ago. The original idea was to square off the back and add a couple of bedrooms where the landing currently is. We had 4 or 5 architects come round who basically said they would draw up our ideas and gave no design input - it wasn’t a good time.
Then we were recommended an architect from a friend, who basically told us our ideas were crap, that we had all the footprint we needed, we just couldn’t see it due to the poor upstairs layout.
The architect was not the cheapest, but has been brilliant throughout the design stage. We took the plans to our neighbours before they were submitted to give them a chance to air any concerns, but both were great and we achieved planning without an issue. The architect also produced a spec sheet so that the builders could quote against the same work, but even with that, we ended up with a £200k difference between top and bottom. We had to make a few adjustments to save some costs, but wanted to retain the original vision and are very happy with the final layouts.
We are ‘just’ ( there has been a lot of use of the word ‘just’ in this project) removing the existing roof, building up approx 1.2m and putting a new roof on. I have always loved symmetrical houses, so this has given us the ability to achieve that.
Our final plans are as per the photos below:
The proposed elevations
The revised ground floor
The revised upper floor
Bedroom 5 will be used as a dressing room to the master, but has a door added so that if we ever decide to move, it can easily be made into a room.
These plans also avoid expensive ground works and utilise the existing locations for drains etc. All useful as we are moving downstairs while the work is done.
The hideous downstairs loo has a shower in it, and whilst it’s horrible, it at least provides us showering facilities during the build.
Builder is due to start on 20th January and my wife has already started an instagram account to record our progress, if anyone is interested - the account is @renovationcation
interstellar said:
Looks fantastic and will be a lovely home.
Will you use a dining room and carry food all the way from the kitchen? I know it’s just a name and maybe it’s going to be a playroom or something else but was surprised to see it.
Rare these days.
Just a name used for the planning application, it will be used as a games/cinema/play room (subject to approval from SWMBO)Will you use a dining room and carry food all the way from the kitchen? I know it’s just a name and maybe it’s going to be a playroom or something else but was surprised to see it.
Rare these days.
The ‘other’ room will be a pantry, and unfortunately we can’t flip the stairs due to head height. Won’t be much of an issue.
My wife is making the most of the January sales to grab some bargains in preparation for the end of the build.
So far we’ve secured a brand new cloakroom suite from Bathstore that was ex-display for £10, another ex-display toilet for £5 and 2 freestanding baths for free.
Homebase has come up trumps with the majority of tiles, discounted pricing and an extra 20% off meant we got over £500 of tiles for £114.
Facebook marketplace has turned up a few bargains as well, just need to keep hunting.
My wife is making the most of the January sales to grab some bargains in preparation for the end of the build.
So far we’ve secured a brand new cloakroom suite from Bathstore that was ex-display for £10, another ex-display toilet for £5 and 2 freestanding baths for free.
Homebase has come up trumps with the majority of tiles, discounted pricing and an extra 20% off meant we got over £500 of tiles for £114.
Facebook marketplace has turned up a few bargains as well, just need to keep hunting.
Major project milestone for our 1st renovation project - Builders started this week!
Front driveway has been turned into a branch of Jewsons already, with skips, materials and other bits all arriving within the first couple of days. Port-a-loo turned up today, so that adds a classy touch I think.
burning through coffee and milk like there is no tomorrow, but progress is swift ( to me anyway)
today saw the front edge of the roof removed and block work has started going up to build up each of the gables. First obstacle found and overcome, they found wooden beams over the 2 downstairs windows, so these have been romped and the correct lintels installed.
The builders are very tidy though, every night they clear up before going which is helpful as we are still living in the house.
Too dark to get progress photos today, but this was yesterday - bloody dog manages to get in every photo
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/TRxlBFGF.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/TRxlBFGF" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/TRxlBFGF.jpg)
Front driveway has been turned into a branch of Jewsons already, with skips, materials and other bits all arriving within the first couple of days. Port-a-loo turned up today, so that adds a classy touch I think.
burning through coffee and milk like there is no tomorrow, but progress is swift ( to me anyway)
today saw the front edge of the roof removed and block work has started going up to build up each of the gables. First obstacle found and overcome, they found wooden beams over the 2 downstairs windows, so these have been romped and the correct lintels installed.
The builders are very tidy though, every night they clear up before going which is helpful as we are still living in the house.
Too dark to get progress photos today, but this was yesterday - bloody dog manages to get in every photo
Good luck Mattman! It looks great.
I also wondered about the study off the laundry, but actually I think making it a bit more disconnected from general family rooms makes sense- a real quiet space.
On bedroom 5, you could get them to allow for the door frame when building the stud wall but just plasterboard over it. Saves putting the door in, but would make the job very easy if you or any new buyer wanted a change.
I also wondered about the study off the laundry, but actually I think making it a bit more disconnected from general family rooms makes sense- a real quiet space.
On bedroom 5, you could get them to allow for the door frame when building the stud wall but just plasterboard over it. Saves putting the door in, but would make the job very easy if you or any new buyer wanted a change.
Edited by covmutley on Thursday 23 January 00:17
covmutley said:
Good luck Mattman! It looks great.
I also wondered about the study off the laundry, but actually I think making it a bit more disconnected from general family rooms makes sense- a real quiet space.
On bedroom 5, you could get them to allow for the door frame when building the stud wall but just plasterboard over it. Saves putting the door in, but would make the job very easy if you or any new buyer wanted a change.
Yes, thats the plan to add another doorway to bed 5, make it easier in the long run - although hopefully won't be moving for a while!I also wondered about the study off the laundry, but actually I think making it a bit more disconnected from general family rooms makes sense- a real quiet space.
On bedroom 5, you could get them to allow for the door frame when building the stud wall but just plasterboard over it. Saves putting the door in, but would make the job very easy if you or any new buyer wanted a change.
Edited by covmutley on Thursday 23 January 00:17
Door to the study has been debated many times, the space under the stairs is going to be a storage cupboard (there isn't much storage on the downstairs), but should have a better view once we get into the room and start knocking it to pieces. Sure there will be a few "tweaks" to the plans as we progress.
covmutley said:
I also wondered about the study off the laundry, but actually I think making it a bit more disconnected from general family rooms makes sense- a real quiet space.
Agree with this, but I'd go a step further and conceal the door behind some pivoting shelves or something, make it properly hidden. You won't spot the missing space because it's in the corner, so would make a neat hideaway.
solo2 said:
Followed on Insta but will check back on here too. I love threads like this and one day would love to build my own home but finding suitable land in Surrey is almost impossible.
Love the bargains you got, all helps keep costs down
My wife is the queen bargain hunter - the build budget will only get us to plaster, so the finishing will all be down to us. But its amazing what you can find out there with some significant discountsLove the bargains you got, all helps keep costs down
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff