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House extension: where to start

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  • 12-04-2021 11:53pm
    #1
    JoyPad
    Registered Users Posts: 1,701 ✭✭✭


    Hello,

    We live in this mid-terrace house in Dublin 15, and we badly need a second bathroom. Is there a guide on what to do first? What kind of company do I need to talk to? I don't know where to start.

    Any suggestions welcome.
    Thanks!


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    #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,534 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    JoyPad wrote: »
    Hello,

    We live in this mid-terrace house in Dublin 15, and we badly need a second bathroom. Is there a guide on what to do first? What kind of company do I need to talk to? I don't know where to start.

    Any suggestions welcome.
    Thanks!

    Can the bathroom fit into the existing floor space?
    Do you need or want an extension?


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    #3
    JoyPad
    Registered Users Posts: 1,701 ✭✭✭JoyPad


    Gumbo wrote: »
    Can the bathroom fit into the existing floor space?
    Do you need or want an extension?

    It would not fit. We want to add an extension at the back of the house, if possible.


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    #4
    seamus
    Registered Users Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    First thing is decide what kind of extension you want. Look at other properties in the row and see what they've done. Usually you're just talking about a box on the back of the house.

    Are you only looking to add a couple of metres to install a toilet, or a large extension?

    Do you have access through the back garden, or is it only through the house?


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    #5
    JoyPad
    Registered Users Posts: 1,701 ✭✭✭JoyPad


    seamus wrote: »
    First thing is decide what kind of extension you want. Look at other properties in the row and see what they've done. Usually you're just talking about a box on the back of the house.

    We know someone else added a service toilet, with entrance through the garden.
    We would prefer, if possible, to actually add a proper extension, the width of the house.
    seamus wrote: »
    Are you only looking to add a couple of metres to install a toilet, or a large extension?
    We would prefer a bathroom, not just a toilet. We don't know what's possible, with the limited space we have.
    seamus wrote: »
    Do you have access through the back garden, or is it only through the house?

    No, only through the house. The garden is completely enclosed by neighbours' gardens.


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    #6
    Penn
    Registered Users Posts: 33,296 ✭✭✭✭Penn


    JoyPad wrote: »
    We know someone else added a service toilet, with entrance through the garden.
    We would prefer, if possible, to actually add a proper extension, the width of the house.


    We would prefer a bathroom, not just a toilet. We don't know what's possible, with the limited space we have.



    No, only through the house. The garden is completely enclosed by neighbours' gardens.

    You'd be better engaging an architect/surveyor/engineer who deals with residential design. The last thing you likely want is to just add a bathroom to the rear of the property and end up ruining the existing layout of kitchen or living room, ruining the flow of the house, light etc.

    If you're going to the expense of a proper extension, you're better off engaging someone now to design it and who can then design and oversee the works and certify it at the end. They'll also be able to establish existing restrictions on the site such as existing drainage, construction, boundaries etc.


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    #7
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,534 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    JoyPad wrote: »
    We know someone else added a service toilet, with entrance through the garden.
    We would prefer, if possible, to actually add a proper extension, the width of the house.


    We would prefer a bathroom, not just a toilet. We don't know what's possible, with the limited space we have.



    No, only through the house. The garden is completely enclosed by neighbours' gardens.

    Get a local architect, engineer, surveyor or planning agent that does planning applications and has experience with residential designs.

    Work out what’s possible on the ground, with or without planning etc

    Take it from there.


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    #8
    JoyPad
    Registered Users Posts: 1,701 ✭✭✭JoyPad


    Thanks for the suggestions.
    I posted a request for recommendations in the sticky.
    Hope to get started as soon as possible, with someone reliable.


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    #9
    Ronney
    Registered Users Posts: 840 ✭✭✭Ronney


    https://www.simonopendoor.ie/

    €95 To charity and you can get an hour consultation with an architect

    Good to have an idea of what you want and a budget too.


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    #10
    seamus
    Registered Users Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Just to note, you don't *need* an architect.

    If you can get a well-recommended builder, they will have built many similar extensions and provided you're not looking for anything particularly fancy, building a compliant square box on the back of your house is bread and butter for them.

    You will need a structural engineer to certify the works and give specs for the steel, so if you engage them first they will also be able to provide initial advice on what you can do. They will then be your independent eyes and ears to make sure the builder isn't a cowboy.


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    #11
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,534 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    seamus wrote: »
    Just to note, you don't *need* an architect.

    If you can get a well-recommended builder, they will have built many similar extensions and provided you're not looking for anything particularly fancy, building a compliant square box on the back of your house is bread and butter for them.

    You will need a structural engineer to certify the works and give specs for the steel, so if you engage them first they will also be able to provide initial advice on what you can do. They will then be your independent eyes and ears to make sure the builder isn't a cowboy.

    And someone independent to ensure you remain on the right side of planning.


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