"Mike Mitchell" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 13:25:51 +0100, "IMM" wrote:


"Owain" wrote in message
...
"David W.E. Roberts" wrote
| (1) How long is a piece of string :-)

About waves hands that long.

Once the structural and roof work is done, the rest of it is usually
just
floorboards, plasterboard, wire and plumb.

| (2) Looking at possibly buying a bungalow and converting the loft.
| I know neighbours who have been quoted abot £25k for a full loft
| conversion of a similar area on a two storey house.

If the bungalow is one of a scheme of identical/similar bungalows have
a
walk round and see if any neighbours have loft conversions; if several
do
then it's a good indication that conversion is possible and
economically
viable. If you're brave you could even knock on their door and ask them
what
it cost and which builder they used (and look where they put the
stairs).
If
no-one else has done a loft conversion you might ask yourself why.

People often forget that bungalows have foundations intended for single
storey houses and conversion to a two storey might mean improving the
foundations. Costly and disruptive.

Better then to pull the bungalow down and build a 2 or 1.5 floor house,
with
high insulation levels and passive solar if a decent south face. It will
be
cheaper doing it this way. You will certainly recoup the cost when
selling.

Actually, quite a good idea! Radical, but yep, the costings appear
favourable. However, the OP may not be able to get PP for a house.

If he can get PP for a loft extension he can get it for a 1.5 floor house,
which is the best bet. New, to new rags, insulation levels, etc, etc.

Another idea: Since bungalows invariably have larger (often MUCH
larger) plots than houses, can the OP not consider an extension
instead?

Or that is space is available, which appears not because he is thinking of
moving upwards.