Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

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

Postby Goldhawk » Tue Sep 25, 2012 4:03 pm

Thanks everyone

I'm concerned that it'll cost too much and we won't get the value back when we sell
I'm not sure I could cope with living through the work either!

If you have done yours how much did it cost? (nosy!)
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edam
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby edam » Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:31 am

We are almost at the end of our side return extension and it has been a pretty painful few months, however we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

If anyone is seriously considering doing this do give me a shout as I'd love to share our experience - we were complete novices and didn't know anyone that had extended so it has been a VERY steep learning curve - but it will all be worth it ;)
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dandelion53
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby dandelion53 » Wed Oct 10, 2012 11:58 am

Yes edam! I'd love any tips as we are going to be extending in the new year. Any info to help me be better prepared would be gratefully received!
Thanks!
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edam
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby edam » Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:06 pm

Hey dandelion - I've just sent you a PM.... If anyone else needs advice do shout!
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2009Kat
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby 2009Kat » Fri Oct 12, 2012 10:46 am

Edam - if you could shoot your thoughts over to me too that would be fab, we are also looking at getting our side return done... Thank you so much K
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Goldhawk
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby Goldhawk » Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:48 pm

Edam - I have sent you a PM
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edam
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby edam » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:22 am

Hi girls, I've just sent you all PMs... Sorry for my delayed response - am having my second baby on Friday so desperately trying to sort the chaos in the building site I call home!!

Good luck to all on your prospective projects! x
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Katevic
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby Katevic » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:20 pm

hi
could you send me a message with the advice on please?

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

Postby edam » Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:37 pm

Done - good luck
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fulhammom
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby fulhammom » Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:19 pm

Edam - very late reply on this, but was wondering if you still had that PM with info for the side extension could you send it on?! Would really appreciate it.

Also - would anyone recommend to get an architect or not for it? I had one builder around who said the structural engineer could do the drawings the same as an architect so don't waste money on one... and have got two quotes from architects, so expensive, at least 6k for drawings / ideas and planning permission requested from the council.

I'm confused at where to start with the whole thing!

Many thanks for anyones help!
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littlebalckbear
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby littlebalckbear » Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:28 pm

Hello Edam _ joining this very late but if you could PM your advice about doing the side return I'd be really grateful. Just about to enter that world too! Many thanks.
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bamse
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby bamse » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:42 am

Hi hi Edam,
I'd love to read your PM too if you could send it over please?

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

Postby ame » Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:55 am

I would love is advice too! If Edam or anyone who has received the advice can pass it on.
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fashionistamummy
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby fashionistamummy » Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:28 am

Yes, definitely worth the side return and back extension (balhammummy5)

We did both to a standard Victorian terrace and it does add to your living space (we managed to fit a kitchen with breakfast bar (and an American Fridge freezer), a family room, and breakfast room, ground floor wetroom into the space while also having the front 2 rooms for a more formal living and dining area...ie kids zones, adult zones) but also importantly for us it let more light in to our house and our previously dark kitchen rarely needs the lights on during the day.

As the back extension does eat into garden space we used bi-fold doors on both sides so they completely open up and our indoor space becomes outdoor space (we put a big roof light over the back extension). We matched the wood decking outside to the colour of the wood flooring inside and had it flush so the inside outside spaces merged.

Also when you are doing side return extensions/back extensions think about things like underfloor heating for the space (we used water underfloor heating) as you are going to have to replace all the flooring anyway and add more heating for the extra space/glazing, we found underfloor heating more cost effective than adding new radiators. As we wanted solid wood floors we used water underfloor heating. We have no radiators on the ground floor which is great with my baby and 2 year old, also means they can both play on the floor in winter and not get cold hands and feet.

balhammummy5 our kitchen width is now 4.6m with the side return, have added some pics so you can see how much stuff you can fit in to this space (kitchen photo taken while work being done so kitchen not finished in pic). American Fridge Freezer is against the wall on the left of the breakfast bar (as well as double oven).
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belld
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Re: Side return extension - is it worth the hassle?

Postby belld » Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:14 pm

A good side return adds the wow factor which puts your property ahead of the game as sale point. some argue that costs outlayed are not gotten back at point of sale - i disagree.
getting the whole house accommodation balance right is the key here - ie pointless having a ferrari ground floor, if the upper levels are a mini.
key items to consider:
- getting the detailing right. i am not a fan of downstands arising from steels, and i like the new space to have a clean ceiling, where lights are the feature, not downstands that create shadows etc.
- what to do with the middle 'dark' room that becomes piggy in the middle between the formal lounge and the new kitchen/side return - i have developed ideas for this having designed a number of side returns - but each fit must meet the needs of the occupants. eg its pointless spending £60/70k on new floor area if most of it is circulation!
worth the hassle? - i would say so if you can afford it.
watch out for:
- Planning/PD
- Party Wall notices
- Thames Water buildover agreements
- Structural engineer/design
(oh - and get a good Architect!)
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