Penners
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All of which comes back to the same perennial and insoluble problem: who's 'good taste' do we trust?
- Thread starter kaz
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JoceAndChris
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Penners said:
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Penners said:
Mine.
To generalise wildy, I love the sort of extension which is extremely modern, and yet responds in essence to the original house - I think that's design with true honesty and respect for both the setting and the contemporary use. If I could, I'd be asking for a glass extension to our kitchen.
Gareth Hughes
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Many thanks for the links... I can't see the 16th century cottage listed (but did see mine and learnt a few things!). Looking at the cottage details it looks as though the entire width of the building is just over 13 foot... so that sort of indicates how narrow things are in there. I'm trying to get my head around the situation... I've absolutely no experience of extentions and the planning process. The actual location of the cottage is perfect... sorry, my head is spinning! Heaven knows what an extension would cost, I guess quite a bit if I want to stick with old traditional materials / methods and I would want to extend over both floors. I need to start doing some serious research!!!
(I'll dig out garden pics - before and after)
(I'll dig out garden pics - before and after)
Penners
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Ah - I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for that.JoceAndChris said:
I suddenly found myself with a surplus of apostrophe's.
christianb
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Kaz,
The first thing to bear in mind is that extensions and alterations really don't have to cost as much as you think. For example, I've just completed a refurbishment (effectively a re-build) of a dilapidated 18th century outhouse/annexe, together with a timber frame extension for a new kitchen - lime render on expanded metal lath to blend with the main cottage (cob construction).
They say that a single story build costs, on average, £1000 per square metre for basics. I've pulled this one in for less than half that figure. It can be done, and given how many people are shelling out ridiculous amounts of money I'm almost tempted to write a guidebook.
Safe to say, the biggest saver is if you're prepared to do as much of the work as possible yourself. Second, make sure you source the materials personally. Never, ever, give a builder you don't personally know carte blanche to stick it on his/her account at the big builder's merchants. It isn't that they mean to overspend, but it isn't necessarily in their overall interest to sit around on the computer or visiting various outlets to get the best deal.
Christian
The first thing to bear in mind is that extensions and alterations really don't have to cost as much as you think. For example, I've just completed a refurbishment (effectively a re-build) of a dilapidated 18th century outhouse/annexe, together with a timber frame extension for a new kitchen - lime render on expanded metal lath to blend with the main cottage (cob construction).
They say that a single story build costs, on average, £1000 per square metre for basics. I've pulled this one in for less than half that figure. It can be done, and given how many people are shelling out ridiculous amounts of money I'm almost tempted to write a guidebook.
Safe to say, the biggest saver is if you're prepared to do as much of the work as possible yourself. Second, make sure you source the materials personally. Never, ever, give a builder you don't personally know carte blanche to stick it on his/her account at the big builder's merchants. It isn't that they mean to overspend, but it isn't necessarily in their overall interest to sit around on the computer or visiting various outlets to get the best deal.
Christian
if the cottage is only 13' wide then how big do you think the extension might have to be to provide you with comfortable living space?
you have to really think hard about this , a large extension on a small house may throw it out of all proportion.
i my self am looking for a cottage at the moment and i am slowly coming to the conclusion that compromises are going to have to be made.
ive looked at lots of houses that are in perfect locations however the house it self , where i would be spending most of my time at home tended to be the most important thing in assessing whether or not i would be happy living there.
i think what i am trying to say is , don't buy a house you may not be happy living in just because it is in a nice place.
you have to really think hard about this , a large extension on a small house may throw it out of all proportion.
i my self am looking for a cottage at the moment and i am slowly coming to the conclusion that compromises are going to have to be made.
ive looked at lots of houses that are in perfect locations however the house it self , where i would be spending most of my time at home tended to be the most important thing in assessing whether or not i would be happy living there.
i think what i am trying to say is , don't buy a house you may not be happy living in just because it is in a nice place.
JoceAndChris
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Penners said:
Clearly. And a shortage of "e".
:shock:
JoceAndChris
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
I'll manage on my own, thanks.
I'll manage on my own, thanks.
Many thanks again for suggestions... I'm going to see the cottage again next week and then do some serious thinking. I certainly feel a bit out of my depth, but nothing ventured....
My current garden... (I am expecting a hammering, but I've done my little best under the worst of circumstances!):
Before
Now
This was taken in the May before we bought the house... I moved in a year later... the grass and brambles were waist high
Today
Not much of a front garden
Today
The grass looks a bit messy because the daffodils have just been mown
My current garden... (I am expecting a hammering, but I've done my little best under the worst of circumstances!):
Before
Now
This was taken in the May before we bought the house... I moved in a year later... the grass and brambles were waist high
Today
Not much of a front garden
Today
The grass looks a bit messy because the daffodils have just been mown
JoceAndChris
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Oh Kaz, that's amazing! You worked so hard, and it's beautiful! That pond is fantastic, and the house, too- gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing those!
How can you bear to leave?
How can you bear to leave?
Feltwell
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kaz said:
Why on earth would you possibly expect a hammering for that???
Not every single bit will be to everyone's taste (it never is) but that looks a million times better!! You can come round and attack my bindweed / russian vine / ivy infested garden any time!
It looks like a lot of work has gone into that, be proud. Lovely plot as well, nice that you've got a bit of a view of the field and hills behind.
FamilyWiggs
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Lovely - I'm not much of a gardener (I leave that to SWMBO), preferring trees and grass myself. But there is lots of interest in that garden, and when really established in a few decades will be fab. It's the constant maintenace of a arden that I find frustrating - it takes time away from other things - like constant maintenance of the house!
Thanks again for your comments. I've just heard from the owner of the cottage and they've decided to take it off the market (I think they've just lost the third house they were hoping to buy). I feel a mixture of relief and disappointment! Oh well... back to the drawing board!