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Extensions

2 storey extension options - build on top of existing storey or build from scratch?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.06 PM

I am currently visiting an old cottage house which has had a single storey extension added in 2003. I checked the walls and they are definitely double skin and looks pretty sturdy. Am I right to believe that this type of job done in 2003 would need to be checked as fit for purpose i.e. by the council? All I have been told is that, because it was built in 2003 then the foundations should be deep enough (1m deep). So I have a couple of options in hand: 1- Build on top of the single storey (addition of one floor and extension of the roof) 2- Build the whole thing again from scratch Can anybody tell me if I can find some info from my local council? Is it worth doing or not? Finally, do I put an offer in and ask a builder to come over to check the extension or should I expect that this will be checked if I pay for a full structural survey of the house? Will the surveyor check the extensions foundations depth? Can I genuinely ask a builder to come over with me before going through the expenses of the buying process and ask for a rough quote from them? Please help!

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2 Answers

Anonymous user

Hello I think you have two possible options: 1. Try to get details of the structural engineers who did the calculations for the extension and speak to them or 2. Speak to building control who should have checked the work when it was built. Either of these should be able to confirm the foundations size/depth and their ability to support an additional storey. It is likely to be possible to retain the ground floor structure and almost certainly the cheaper option. If necessary, the new storey could be designed to be a 'lightweight' structure such as timber frame rather than masonry in order to reduce the additional loading. Hope this helps Graham Madigan Only Extensions

Answered11 April 2014

Anonymous user

If the rear extension was built in 2003, then you could call the local authorities building control and as what was inspected and at what stages, they will have this information showing against this property on their database. Worse case if they do not have the information to hand, then you may need to have a trial hole dug adjacent to the build to ascertain what depth or manner the foundations where formed. Once you have obtained your information, you will then need an architect to do your design for the additional floor, as in most cases this would be possible. Hope this helps

Answered21 June 2017