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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by davethomas99999 » Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:43 pm

Everyone reading please note you will need a Party wall Award for any excavation work.

I have just been through this! It could cost you so watch out!

Good blog and info:

www.partywallsurveyors.net

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by firsttimerSW11 » Mon Dec 19, 2016 1:19 pm

I think the one difference in doing a side return in a ground floor flat and a full house is that generally the front two rooms where you propose putting two bedrooms are a double reception space with a walkway directly into the kitchen. In your case, in order to give the back bedroom a window you'd probably have to leave a small courtyard space so you'd lose some internal space that wouldn't be an if you were doing a house. That said I've seen it done, look on rightmove SW11, SW6 etc and lots have done it. It definitely adds value although you will have to get permission from the leaseholder or discuss with the upstairs flat(s) which can be painful/timeconsuming. You might be able to put a bathroom in the basement if you have it tanked. Don't think it's too difficult.

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by Clara Bee » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:26 pm

Responding to various posts on this thread:

Side returns are extremely popular and maximise light and space - square footage (resale value) and useable family space (lifestyle value). We would recommend you consider other improvements at the same time e.g. create a downstairs WC or a utility room, it's more cost effective to have one project underway and consider the cellar tanking, refurbing bathrooms, carpentry requirements, storage etc etc to get best return on your investment in the project (time and money).

Our latest project (on our website & photos below) placed banquette seating around a table against the island, which kept the open flow and feeling of space and allowed the natural brick side wall to really stand out.

There are before and after photos on our projects that show the difference that even a small side return space can make. http://www.clarabee.com/projects/

With leaseholds, as another poster mentioned, more party wall agreements to arrange, with the freeholder and other leasehold owners (not tenants) and assume you have covered off any shared garden ownership issues.

Wandsworth Council produce quite a helpful guide on Party Walls
http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/downloads/ ... arty_walls
Attachments
Hydethorpe Rd 127 - Storage-skylight.jpg
Hydethorpe Rd 127 - Kitch-Brek.jpg
Hydethorpe Rd 127 - Kitch close.jpg

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by Sarahsea » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:42 am

If your flat is leasehold you'll have to get the freeholder permission which may be an added expense. A good builder should be able to advise - if you use one familiar with that type of conversion/your area they'll know the most appropriate layout. You'll also be able to get an idea of cost and work out if it's worth doing. As you're a flat, you'll need more party wall agreements as it's every owner either side plus the flats above you, and you don't have permitted development rights.

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by GillPilates » Thu Dec 15, 2016 11:17 am

Hi,
This has been a really useful thread. I am considering doing a side return extension, but it is for a ground floor flat of a Victorian terrace property in SW11, rather than a whole house. I am envisaging this enabling me to convert the flat from 1 to 2 bedrooms at the front, and the back of the flat with the side return extension would be a large living room and kitchen.

Not quite sure where the bathroom would go at this stage! I do have a cellar, it is small though, an old coal bunker.

Does anyone have any experience of this, or can recommend an architect?

Many thanks.

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by sarahsarah » Tue Nov 15, 2016 1:05 pm

Definitely worth it I'd say - absolutely. I've seen people recommending a few companies, and I dunno if they do it exactly but Central London Lofts do extensions, them I can vouch for - unsure if they do this type exactly but itll probably say somewhere on their website or something

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by BettyBoo » Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:34 am

Totally worth it. I did it and they worked right up to when I had my second chld. completed in 12 weeks from start to finish.

We didn't move out and we coped. We had a two week holiday in the middle of it but lived in the lounge with kettle, microwave, toaster and it is fine.

The space is amazing and it transforrmed the house. I didn't even find the dust that bad but to be fair our builders swept, hoovered and mopped every single night!

Go for it.

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by claphamama » Sun Jan 25, 2015 5:07 pm

Thank you for the advice Petal.
We have 2 kids, I know it's going to be hard but we can't afford renting somewhere on top of the construction bill and my parents live abroad so really not many options. I have asked the builders to put the fridge in living room - thanks for the suggestion :-)
Husband still sceptical about the all thing, but I can't wait for the work to start and get a better use of our ground floor...and a new kitchen!!

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by cuqui03 » Thu Jan 22, 2015 9:15 am

Georgie001 wrote:I am so pleased to have seen this post. I am thinking of doing exactly this and trying to incorporate as much glass as possible. I have been wavering and I think you have all just made up my mind. It doesn't seem to add that much space but I think once it's done you realise it gives you more room than you anticipated. Thank you.
I was lucky that the house I recently bought had the work done, I work full time and have a 2y old so did not have the energy to then come home and work on a project. It's our first house and feels great that it is all done.
I would just comment on the windows..ours has all wall window plus skylights and that area gets pretty chilly despite the heating being up and it being south facing. careful with underfloor heating, we have wooden floors and i don't think is the best idea plus no radiators in the whole area so something to keep in mind!

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by claphamama » Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:43 pm

Reopening this topic as we are about to embark on our side return extension project. The plan is to stay on site during the build - aside for few weeks abroad with family and (maybe) holiday. What do you think is the worse part of the build? The very beginning or a couple of weeks down the line? And how did you cope when stay on site? I read most of you had a small kitchen upstairs - what did consist of? I was thinking microwave, kettle, small fridge? would it be enough? Any other suggestions? Excited but also quite worried!!

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by Moonlight » Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:58 am

Thanks for all your responses - some great food for thought and the pictures of the extensions look really good!

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by pascalbuildteam » Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:37 pm

Hi guys,

We’ve actually recently developed an App for Side Return Kitchen Extensions that estimates the cost of the build. Maybe your readers might find it useful?

I’ve included the link below, please contact me if you want to know any more.

http://www.buildteam.com/build-your-price-start.html

Kind Regards

Pascal

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by headshrinker » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:19 pm

I am quite sure that none of you will agree but a very respected award-winning architect once told me that he couldn't understand why someone would compromise the structural integrity of a beautiful Victorian building for the sake of an unnecessarily large kitchen. He said side returns should have rabbit hutches and bicycles in them which sounded pretty good to me.

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by headshrinker » Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:19 pm

I am quite sure that none of you will agree but a very respected award-winning architect once told me that he couldn't understand why someone would compromise the structural integrity of a beautiful Victorian building for the sake of an unnecessarily large kitchen. He said side returns should have rabbit hutches and bicycles in them which sounded pretty good to me.

Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

by Lita Lohan » Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:40 am

Lita Lohan wrote:Yes. Definitely it is worth. I have done the Side Return Extensions. It looks so amazing my friends too liked it. I very thankful to Doran Bros for providing such beautiful service to me and all. http://www.doranbros.co.uk/side-return-extension.asp
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