Case Study - Mr & Mrs W, Surrey
Mr. & Mrs.
W live in a substantial detached house standing in its own grounds
within the stockbroker belt in Surrey. Although their home comprised
three reception rooms, kitchen, breakfast room and six bedrooms;
they had a need for more accommodation. Their immediate options
were to build a traditional extension at ground level or find
a larger property in the immediate vicinity.
Obtaining Planning Permission to build a traditional extension
would have been difficult because there were many planning issues
which had to be overcome. Furthermore a traditional extension
would have significantly increased the footprint of the property
and would not naturally integrate into the property’s existing
layout. Costs for a traditional extension were estimated to be £350,000.
Click on
images below to enlarge.
 |
|
 |
Mr. & Mrs. W then investigated the possibility of moving
home and viewed a number of suitable properties. Yet every time
they returned they were glad to be home and would prefer to stay
where they were. Expenses comprising Estate Agents fees, legal
fees, removal costs and worst of all Stamp Duty were going to
add £100,000 of irrecoverable costs to their purchase without
any added value. Added to which the incremental cost of an alternative
property was a further £1,000,000.
Mr. & Mrs. W then considered a retro-fit basement and turned
to Room Below. Firstly we provided a budget
and then detailed structural designs and calculations. Twelve
months later Mr. & Mrs W have a retro-fit basement of some
135 square metres comprising family room, home cinema, study,
shower room and wc and storeroom. They estimate that the increase
in the value of their property as a result of adding a retrofit
basement substantially exceeds the cost of the works.
In the words of Mr. W "Although the works took longer than
expected they were completed to a high standard and were well
worth the wait".
|