ADOVA’s guide to refurbishing and extending a Victorian House in London.
WE HAVE COMPILED ALL THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION YOU NEED TO RESTORE AND REDESIGN YOUR VICTORIAN HOME
IN THE VICTORIAN ERA, ENGLAND UNDERWENT A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION SURGE, WITH THE POPULATION RISING FROM AROUND NINE MILLION IN 1801 TO 36 MILLION IN 1911. AS A RESULT, A LARGE NUMBER OF HOUSES WERE CONSTRUCTED DURING THIS PERIOD. VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE CAN BE OBSERVED IN CITIES, TOWNS, AND THE COUNTRYSIDE, AND ONE OUT OF EVERY SIX HOMES IN BRITAIN IS A VICTORIAN TERRACED OR SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.
IF YOU ARE A CURRENT OWNER OF A VICTORIAN BUILDING, YOU MAY BE CONTEMPLATING REFURBISHING IT. WHETHER YOU'RE CONSIDERING A VICTORIAN HOUSE EXTENSION, RESTORING IT TO ITS FORMER GLORY, OR MODERNIZING IT, THIS ARTICLE CAN GUIDE YOU ON HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. WE WILL DISCUSS THE MOST COMMON ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES OF WORKING ON A VICTORIAN HOUSE, WHETHER YOU WANT TO RENOVATE A FLAT IN A VICTORIAN BUILDING OR UNDERTAKE A DOUBLE-FRONTED VICTORIAN HOUSE RENOVATION.
WHAT IS A VICTORIAN HOUSE OR FLAT?
TO BE CLASSIFIED AS A VICTORIAN HOUSE OR FLAT, THE STRUCTURE MUST HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA, BETWEEN 1837 AND 1901. THESE TYPES OF PROPERTIES ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER AND HAVE A RANGE OF DISTINCT FEATURES. VICTORIAN HOUSES ARE TYPICALLY SPACIOUS AND BRIGHT, AS THE VICTORIANS FAVOURED HIGH CEILINGS AND LARGE WINDOWS. OTHER IDENTIFYING FEATURES INCLUDE:
STEEP SLATE ROOFS WITH DECORATIVE ROOFLINES,
BARGE BOARDS - WOODEN PANELS ON THE GABLE END,
BAY AND SASH WINDOWS,
PORCHES
TERRACOTTA FLOOR TILES ARE ARRANGED IN GEOMETRIC PATTERNS IN THE PORCH AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE GROUND FLOOR.
DATE STONES ABOVE THE FRONT DOOR MAY ALSO BE PRESENT, ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE THE YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION.
TO ACCOMMODATE THE SURGE OF PEOPLE MOVING FROM RURAL AREAS TO TOWNS DURING THE VICTORIAN ERA, HOUSES WERE OFTEN CONSTRUCTED AS TERRACES, RESULTING IN A LACK OF PARKING SPACES AS CARS WERE NOT YET INVENTED. HOWEVER, MANY VICTORIAN GARDENS HAVE SINCE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER PARKING AREAS. AS CENTRAL HEATING WAS NOT PREVALENT DURING THIS ERA, FIREPLACES WERE COMMONLY FOUND IN EVERY ROOM OF VICTORIAN HOUSES.
DUE TO THEIR BRIGHT AND SPACIOUS ROOMS, MANY VICTORIAN HOUSES HAVE BEEN REPURPOSED AS FLATS, PARTICULARLY IN LARGER CITIES WHERE PROPERTY IS IN HIGH DEMAND. WHETHER YOU ARE THE OWNER OF A DETACHED VICTORIAN HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT WITHIN A VICTORIAN BUILDING, RENOVATING OR RESTORING THE PROPERTY MAY BE MORE MANAGEABLE THAN YOU REALISE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE VICTORIAN PERIOD SPANNED OVER SIXTY YEARS, AND TRENDS EVOLVED DURING THIS TIME. THEREFORE, WHICH DISTINCTIVE STYLES WERE PREVALENT DURING THIS ERA?
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EARLY, MID, AND LATE VICTORIAN
ARCHITECTURE BECAME A RECOGNISED PROFESSION DURING THE VICTORIAN PERIOD, WHICH BEGAN JUST THREE YEARS AFTER THE CREATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS. THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION BROUGHT ABOUT NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARCHITECTS, AS WELL AS NEW TRANSPORTATION METHODS FOR BUILDING MATERIALS. ARCHITECTS MOVED AWAY FROM THE SYMMETRICAL STYLE OF THE GEORGIAN ERA AND CREATED MORE INTRICATE AND COLOURFUL HOMES.
DURING THE EARLY VICTORIAN PERIOD, THE GOTHIC STYLE WAS PREVALENT, CHARACTERIZED BY POINTED ROOFS, ARCHES, AND STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS. TURRETS AND GARGOYLES WERE ALSO POPULAR.
IN THE MID-VICTORIAN ERA, JACOBETHAN AND ARTS & CRAFTS STYLES DOMINATED. JACOBETHAN ARCHITECTURE REVIVED TUDOR AND STUART DESIGNS, FEATURING STEEP GABLED ROOFS, HIGH CHIMNEYS, HALF-TIMBERING, INTRICATE BRICKWORK, AND CASTLE-LIKE STRUCTURES. IN CONTRAST, THE ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT EMPHASIZED ARTISANAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, FEATURING BARE BRICK AND STONEWORK, SLOPING ROOFS, AND WOODEN CASEMENT WINDOWS IN A COTTAGE STYLE.
THE ART NOUVEAU STYLE EMERGED AT THE END OF THE VICTORIAN ERA, FEATURING CURVED AND PLANT-LIKE DETAILS IN STAINED GLASS AND FIRE SURROUNDS.
THERE ARE MANY MORE STYLES OF VICTORIAN HOUSES, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO RESEARCH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF YOUR PROPERTY. THANKS TO THE POPULARITY OF PHOTOGRAPHY DURING THE VICTORIAN PERIOD, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND A PICTURE OF YOUR HOUSE FROM AROUND THE TIME IT WAS BUILT.
THE ADVANTAGES OF OWNING A VICTORIAN HOUSE
WHEN CHOOSING A PROPERTY TO PURCHASE, INDIVIDUALS FREQUENTLY FOLLOW THEIR HEARTS RATHER THAN THEIR MINDS. AFTER ALL, A HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, AND EMOTIONS OFTEN TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER LOGIC WHEN FALLING IN LOVE WITH A PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF TORN BETWEEN PURCHASING A VICTORIAN OR MODERN HOUSE, YOU MAY BE STRUGGLING TO DECIDE BETWEEN THE PRACTICALITIES OF A NEW BUILD AND THE ALLURE OF OLDER, MORE TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING LIST OF PRACTICAL BENEFITS OF OWNING A VICTORIAN HOUSE AS YOU WEIGH THEM AGAINST THOSE OF A MODERN BUILD.
THICK WALLS IN VICTORIAN HOUSES OFFER SEVERAL ADVANTAGES FOR FAMILY LIVING, SUCH AS REDUCED SOUND TRANSMISSION COMPARED TO MOST MODERN BUILDS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY ARE PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL WHEN RESIDING IN TERRACED OR SEMI-DETACHED HOUSES.
HIGH CEILINGS PROVIDE A REMARKABLE SENSE OF SPACIOUSNESS, AND THEY ALSO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY A BEAUTIFULLY TALL CHRISTMAS TREE.
THE STEEPLY ANGLED ROOFS OF VICTORIAN HOUSES OFTEN OFFER THE POSSIBILITY OF CONVERTING THE ATTIC INTO AN ADDITIONAL ROOM. ADDITIONALLY, THE GENEROUSLY SIZED LANDING AREA CAN ACCOMMODATE A SUFFICIENTLY SPACIOUS STAIRCASE.
VICTORIAN HOUSES TYPICALLY FEATURE SPACIOUS ROOMS WITH WELL-PROPORTIONED LAYOUTS. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FEATURES WITH HIGH CEILINGS CREATES AN APPEALING SENSE OF OPENNESS THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE.
VICTORIAN HOUSES ARE TYPICALLY AROUND 150 YEARS OLD, YET THEY REMAIN AS STRUCTURALLY SOUND AS THEY WERE WHEN INITIALLY CONSTRUCTED. A HOME THAT HAS ENDURED FOR SUCH A LENGTHY PERIOD WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IS UNDOUBTEDLY A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT.
RESTORING A 19TH-CENTURY HOME TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY
OVER TIME, VICTORIAN HOUSES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND MODIFIED TO SUIT CURRENT STYLES. IF YOUR VICTORIAN HOME NO LONGER RESEMBLES ITS FORMER GLORY, YOU MAY WANT TO RESTORE IT TO SHOWCASE ITS ORIGINAL SPLENDOUR.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE ARE VARIOUS TYPES OF VICTORIAN HOMES, EACH WITH ITS OWN DISTINCT STYLE. WHILE THEY SHARE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO RESEARCH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF YOUR HOME TO ENSURE AN ACCURATE RESTORATION.
YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES WILL LIKELY ARISE FROM PREVIOUS OWNERS IN THE 1960S AND '70S WHO DID NOT VALUE THE ORIGINAL VICTORIAN STYLE. DURING THIS PERIOD, MANY ORNATE DETAILS, SUCH AS CEILING ROSES, WERE REMOVED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SOURCE REPLACEMENT PIECES.
WHEN RESTORING A VICTORIAN HOME, START WITH THE PLASTERWORK. VICTORIAN HOUSES TYPICALLY FEATURE ELABORATE CORNICES, MOULDINGS, AND CEILING ROSES, WHICH ARE HIGHLY COVETED BY MANY VICTORIAN HOMEOWNERS. OVER THE YEARS, THESE UNIQUE FEATURES CAN BECOME CLOGGED WITH PAINT OR EVEN HAVE MISSING SECTIONS. BY STRIPPING THE PAINT, REMOVING ANY MOULD, AND HAVING ANY DAMAGED PIECES PROFESSIONALLY RECAST, YOU CAN RESTORE THE INTRICATE DETAILS OF THESE VICTORIAN MASTERPIECES.
NEXT, FOCUS ON THE "EYES" OF THE HOUSE - THE WINDOWS. VICTORIAN HOMES TYPICALLY FEATURE SASH WINDOWS, WHICH SLIDE UP AND DOWN INSTEAD OF OPENING ON A HINGE. ORIGINAL VICTORIAN SASH WINDOWS MAY BE POORLY INSULATED OR HAVE BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING THEM TO RATTLE IN THE WIND. FORTUNATELY, MANY SASH WINDOW SPECIALISTS CAN REPAIR, INSULATE, OR REPLACE WINDOWS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THEIR ORIGINAL CHARM.
VICTORIAN HOMES ORIGINALLY HAD FIREPLACES IN EVERY ROOM, BUT MANY HAVE BEEN REMOVED OR COVERED UP OVER TIME IN FAVOUR OF CENTRAL HEATING. TO RESTORE A 19TH-CENTURY HOUSE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNCOVER AND OPEN UP THESE FIREPLACES, EVEN IF THEY'RE ONLY USED FOR DECORATION.
IF YOUR VICTORIAN HOUSE HAS CARPETING, REMOVING IT TO REVEAL THE ORIGINAL FLOORING CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO BRING BACK ITS AUTHENTIC FEEL. YOU CAN REPAIR ANY DAMAGED WOODEN FLOORBOARDS AND REPLACE MISSING OR CRACKED TILES. MOST VICTORIAN FLOORBOARDS ARE MADE OF PINE, WHILE ONLY WEALTHIER HOMES HAD HARDWOOD FLOORING. ORIGINALLY, PINE FLOORS WERE STAINED MAHOGANY TO CREATE A MORE GRANDIOSE EFFECT, BUT NOWADAYS, LIGHTER-COLOURED WOOD IS MORE POPULAR.
WHILE YOU MAY NOT WANT TO RECREATE AN ENTIRELY AUTHENTIC VICTORIAN KITCHEN, THERE ARE MANY DESIGN IDEAS THAT CAN GIVE YOU A 19TH-CENTURY FEEL WHILE INCORPORATING MODERN CONVENIENCES. FOR EXAMPLE, INSTALLING A BELFAST SINK OR USING FREESTANDING UNITS CAN ACHIEVE THIS LOOK.
THE BATHROOM IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE MODERN AMENITIES HAVE SURPASSED THE VICTORIAN ERA. HOWEVER, A FREESTANDING ROLLTOP BATH CAN INSTANTLY GIVE YOUR BATHROOM A VINTAGE FEEL.
OTHER DETAILS THAT CAN ENHANCE THE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC INCLUDE ADDING DADO RAILS, PICTURE RAILS, SHAPELY SKIRTING BOARDS, AND PERIOD WALLPAPER.
BUT IF YOUR PROPERTY REQUIRES A MORE COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION, KEEP READING TO LEARN MORE.
RENOVATING A VICTORIAN HOUSE
UNDERTAKING A RENOVATION PROJECT FOR A VICTORIAN HOUSE CAN BE IMPACTED BY ITS TYPE - WHETHER IT'S DETACHED, SEMI-DETACHED, OR TERRACED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME COMMON CONCERNS THAT YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND.
IT'S CRUCIAL TO AVOID GETTING TOO FOCUSED ON THE COSMETIC ELEMENTS OF THE RENOVATION BEFORE ADDRESSING ANY UNDERLYING PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE. IN MOST CASES, THE MOST COSTLY AND NECESSARY WORK IS HIDDEN FROM PLAIN SIGHT.
OUTLINED BELOW ARE THE TOP THREE CRITICAL ISSUES THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE INSPECTED AND RESOLVED BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY REFURBISHMENT PLANS.
IT'S ADVISABLE TO HIRE AN ELECTRICIAN TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF A VICTORIAN HOUSE AS SAFETY CODES FOR ELECTRICITY ARE FREQUENTLY UPDATED. WITH OUR CURRENT DEPENDENCE ON TECHNOLOGY, THE ELECTRICAL OUTPUT REQUIRED IS MUCH HIGHER THAN IN THE PAST, AND PREVIOUS OCCUPANTS MAY HAVE ATTEMPTED DO-IT-YOURSELF ELECTRICAL WORK THAT COULD BE HAZARDOUS.
DAMP IS A COMMON ISSUE IN VICTORIAN HOUSES AS THEY WERE CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT DAMP-PROOF COURSES. BLOCKED AIR BRICKS, UNATTENDED CHIMNEYS, AND CLOGGED GUTTERS ARE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR DAMP PROBLEMS. ADDITIONALLY, PREVIOUS OWNERS MAY HAVE USED CEMENT TO FIX CRACKS IN PLASTER OR RENDER, EXACERBATING THE ISSUE. BEFORE STARTING ANY WORK, IT'S CRUCIAL TO CONDUCT A DAMP SURVEY AND SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON ANY PROBLEMS. TO PREVENT ANY MAJOR ISSUES IN THE FUTURE, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO EMPLOY A REPUTABLE PLASTERER WHO WILL USE SUITABLE MATERIALS.
VICTORIAN HOUSES ARE TYPICALLY NOT VERY ENERGY-EFFICIENT, BUT THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY CANNOT BE IMPROVED. SOME VICTORIAN HOMES HAVE EVEN BEEN UPGRADED TO MEET PASSIVHAUS STANDARDS, WHICH MEANS THEY REQUIRE MINIMAL HEATING. WHILE YOU MAY NOT NEED TO ACHIEVE SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY, DRAUGHT-PROOFING WINDOWS AND DOORS AND IMPROVING INSULATION WILL MAKE YOUR HOME MORE COMFORTABLE AND HELP REDUCE ENERGY BILLS.
TO EXPAND YOUR LIVING SPACE IN A VICTORIAN HOUSE DURING A RENOVATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR TERRACED HOUSES. REAR OR SIDE EXTENSIONS AND LOFT CONVERSIONS ARE POPULAR CHOICES, AND THE CELLAR MAY ALSO BE A VIABLE OPTION TO CONSIDER.
WORKING WITH ADOVA WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE PRACTICALITIES AND POSSIBILITIES OF YOUR RENOVATION, BEYOND SIMPLY ARRANGING FURNISHINGS. WE CAN OFFER GUIDANCE ON RENOVATIONS, AND RESTORATIONS, AND EXPLORE POTENTIAL EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES.
SINGLE-STOREY REAR EXTENSION
THE MOST POPULAR TYPE OF EXTENSION FOR VICTORIAN TERRACED AND SEMI-DETACHED PROPERTIES IS A SINGLE-STOREY REAR EXTENSION. TYPICALLY, THIS EXTENSION TAKES THE FORM OF A KITCHEN EXTENSION AND IS USUALLY EXEMPT FROM LOCAL CONSERVATION LAWS AS IT IS LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY.
A TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN FOR THIS TYPE OF EXTENSION PLACES THE LIVING AREA AT THE FRONT AND A LARGER KITCHEN SPACE AT THE BACK, WHICH MAY INCLUDE AN ISLAND UNIT AND DINING AREA. THESE EXTENSIONS OFTEN FEATURE LARGE GLAZED DOORS THAT LEAD TO THE GARDEN AND INCORPORATE ROOFLIGHTS TO INCREASE NATURAL LIGHT.
SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSIONS CAN BE DESIGNED TO BLEND SEAMLESSLY WITH THE ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE OR MAKE A BOLD MODERN STATEMENT WITH PLENTY OF GLASS TO CREATE A LIGHT AND AIRY SPACE. FOR THOSE WHO PREFER ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHT, A GLASS EXTENSION MAY BE A SUITABLE OPTION.
CONSULTING WITH AN ARCHITECT OR INTERIOR DESIGNER IS RECOMMENDED TO EXPLORE THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE. FIRMS LIKE URBANIST ARCHITECTURE EMPLOY TOWN PLANNERS WHO CAN DETERMINE IF ANY LOCAL CONSERVATION LAWS LIMIT THE RENOVATION AND ADVISE IF PLANNING PERMISSION IS REQUIRED.
IF MORE LIVING SPACE IS REQUIRED, A TWO-STOREY EXTENSION MAY BE A VIABLE SOLUTION, ESPECIALLY FOR ACCOMMODATING A GROWING FAMILY.
TWO-STOREY REAR EXTENSION
SIMILAR TO A SINGLE-STOREY REAR EXTENSION, ADDING A VICTORIAN HOUSE REAR EXTENSION CAN PROVIDE EXTRA LIVING SPACE WHILE MAINTAINING THE FAÇADE OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDING. THIS DESIGN FREEDOM ALLOWS FOR MORE CREATIVITY, AND SOMETIMES, A BOLD, MODERN STYLE CAN COMPLEMENT THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE BETTER THAN BLENDING IT IN.
WHILE A MODERN EXTENSION IS A POPULAR CHOICE, A VICTORIAN-STYLE EXTENSION CAN BE JUST AS FEASIBLE, AND EXPERT CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES CAN MATCH THE BRICKWORK TO PERFECTION. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSION AND WANT TO ADD A ROOM ABOVE IT OR OPT FOR A TWO-STOREY EXTENSION FROM SCRATCH, THERE ARE MANY IDEAS AND OPTIONS TO EXPLORE.
YOU CAN CONSULT AN ARCHITECT OR INTERIOR DESIGNER TO GUIDE YOU IN CHOOSING THE BEST OPTION FOR YOUR RENOVATION PROJECT. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN BROWSE ONLINE FOR INSPIRATION, BUT IT'S ALWAYS ESSENTIAL TO CHECK LOCAL BUILDING RESTRICTIONS BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR DESIGN. CONSERVATION AREAS MAY HAVE MORE LIMITATIONS ON EXTENSION STYLES.
SINGLE-STOREY SIDE EXTENSION
IT'S NOT JUST DETACHED AND SEMI-DETACHED PROPERTIES THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM A SIDE EXTENSION – MANY VICTORIAN HOUSES HAVE A STRIP OF UNDERUSED OUTSIDE SPACE RUNNING ALONGSIDE THE GROUND FLOOR. THIS REDUNDANT SPACE IS PERFECT FOR EXTENDING INTO AND IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS A SIDE RETURN EXTENSION OR AN INFILL.
THESE EXTENSIONS ARE A POPULAR CHOICE FOR VICTORIAN TERRACED HOUSES AS THEY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOTAGE TO YOUR HOME. EVEN A SMALL SIDE RETURN EXTENSION CAN TRANSFORM A NARROW GALLEY KITCHEN INTO A KITCHEN-DINER OR MAKE AN L-SHAPED ROOM MUCH MORE PRACTICAL.
THE BEST PART? YOU MAY NOT NEED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR A SIDE RETURN EXTENSION, AS IT OFTEN FALLS UNDER "PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT" RIGHTS. HOWEVER, SEEKING ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED, AND OBTAINING PLANNING PERMISSION CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE DESIGN PROCESS.
IN SEMI-DETACHED AND DETACHED VICTORIAN HOMES, A SIDE EXTENSION CAN CREATE A HOME OFFICE, WORKSHOP, UTILITY ROOM, OR WIDEN THE EXISTING DOWNSTAIRS ROOMS.
IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING A VICTORIAN HOUSE SIDE EXTENSION BUT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING OUTDOOR STORAGE SPACE OR CREATING AN OBSTRUCTION TO THE BACK GARDEN FROM THE FRONT, CONSULTING WITH AN ARCHITECTURE FIRM CAN BE HELPFUL. THEY CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH DESIGN IDEAS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR A PASSAGE FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK GARDEN WHILE STILL INCORPORATING A SIDE EXTENSION.
TWO-STOREY SIDE EXTENSION
OPTING FOR A DOUBLE-STOREY SIDE EXTENSION CAN CERTAINLY PROVIDE YOU WITH MORE INTERIOR SPACE THAN A SINGLE-STOREY OPTION, BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT YOU WILL NEED TO GO THROUGH A MORE EXTENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS.
IN SOME CASES, VICTORIAN TERRACE HOUSES FEATURE A SINGLE-STOREY KITCHEN AT THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY, NEXT TO THE SIDE RETURN. THIS LAYOUT OPENS UP THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING BOTH UPWARDS AND SIDEWAYS, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN INDOOR SPACE. HOWEVER, A DOUBLE-STOREY EXTENSION ON THE SIDE CAN PRESENT MORE CHALLENGES WITH NEIGHBOURS AND BOUNDARY LINES THAN A SINGLE-STOREY ALTERNATIVE.
DOUBLE-STOREY SIDE EXTENSIONS ARE MORE COMMONLY FOUND IN DETACHED OR SEMI-DETACHED PROPERTIES FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. WITH A VICTORIAN DETACHED HOUSE, THE ONLY LIMIT TO THE EXPANSION POSSIBILITIES IS THE AVAILABLE SPACE.
WHETHER YOU WANT TO ENLARGE YOUR KITCHEN OR BATHROOM, CREATE AN ADDITIONAL BEDROOM, OR BUILD AN ENTIRELY NEW HOUSE, A DOUBLE-STOREY SIDE EXTENSION OR A WRAPAROUND EXTENSION CAN PROVIDE THE EXTRA SPACE YOU NEED. NONETHELESS, IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO EXPAND YOUR VICTORIAN PROPERTY TO BUILD A HOUSE, YOU NEED TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR AVAILABLE PARKING AND GARDEN SPACE.
IF YOUR VICTORIAN PROPERTY ALREADY HAS A SINGLE-STOREY SIDE EXTENSION, ADDING A SECOND STORY ON TOP OF IT WILL LIKELY BE A VIABLE OPTION WITHOUT CAUSING TOO MUCH DISRUPTION.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BUILDING A TWO-STOREY SIDE EXTENSION ON YOUR VICTORIAN PROPERTY BUT ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS OR HOW IT WOULD WORK, CONSULTING AN ARCHITECTURAL OR INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM FOR AN INITIAL, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CAN HELP YOU GET A BETTER IDEA OF THE EXTENSION'S POTENTIAL.
IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO INFORMALLY DISCUSS YOUR EXTENSION PLANS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS BEFORE BEGINNING ANY WORK. THIS NOT ONLY GIVES THEM ADVANCED NOTICE OF ANY POTENTIALLY NOISY OR DISRUPTIVE CONSTRUCTION, BUT IT MAY ALSO REVEAL ANY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE WORK BEGINS. FOR INSTANCE, THEY MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR OWN EXTENSION AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE HELPFUL TIPS, OR THEY MAY HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY OBTAINING PLANNING PERMISSION.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, DISCUSSING YOUR PLANS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS CAN HELP IDENTIFY ANY OBJECTIONS OR BOUNDARY DISPUTES THAT COULD DELAY THE PROJECT LATER ON. IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT YOUR EXTENSION WORK MAY ALSO OPEN UP THE POSSIBILITY FOR YOUR NEIGHBOURS TO DO SIMILAR WORK, SO AN OBJECTION IS NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEED.
WRAPAROUND EXTENSION
AN EXTENSION THAT WRAPS AROUND A VICTORIAN HOUSE INVOLVES EXTENDING TWO SIDES OF THE PROPERTY, TYPICALLY THE SIDE AND THE REAR. IF PLANNED CAREFULLY, THIS TYPE OF EXTENSION MAY NOT REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION, ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE ADVISABLE TO APPLY TO ALLOW FOR GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE DESIGN.
A WRAPAROUND EXTENSION CAN BE ADDED TO MOST VICTORIAN HOUSES, COMBINING A SIDE RETURN EXTENSION WITH A REAR EXTENSION TO CREATE MORE INTERIOR SPACE. THIS TYPE OF EXTENSION IS AN EXCELLENT OPTION IF YOU WANT TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE YOUR ROOM SIZE WHILE MAINTAINING SIDE ACCESS TO THE BACK GARDEN.
IN SUMMARY, A VICTORIAN HOUSE EXTENSION IS A FEASIBLE OPTION, AND THERE ARE VARIOUS DESIGN STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM.
COSTINGS AND BUDGETS
THE COST OF REFURBISHING AND EXTENDING A VICTORIAN HOUSE IS DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FACTORS, SUCH AS THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT, THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY, AND THE DESIRED FINISH. FOR A TYPICAL THREE-BEDROOM PROPERTY, THE COST CAN RANGE FROM £20,000 TO £200,000, UNLESS THE WORK IS SOLELY COSMETIC.
FOR EXTENSIVE VICTORIAN HOUSE RENOVATIONS THAT INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL CHANGES, LAYOUT ALTERATIONS, RE-PLUMBING, RE-WIRING, AND COMPLETE REDECORATION, WE SUGGEST BUDGETING BETWEEN £2,000 AND £3,000 PER SQUARE METRE.
TO COVER MODERATE RENOVATIONS IN A VICTORIAN HOUSE, INCLUDING FULL REDECORATION, RE-PLUMBING AND REWIRING BUT NOT SIGNIFICANT LAYOUT CHANGES OR MAJOR STRUCTURAL WORKS, WE SUGGEST A COST OF £1,500 TO £2,500 PER SQUARE METRE AS AN ESTIMATE.
FOR MINOR VICTORIAN HOUSE RENOVATIONS THAT INVOLVE TASKS SUCH AS RE-PLASTERING, PAINTING, INSTALLING NEW FLOOR FINISHES, AND MINOR ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING MODIFICATIONS, A RECOMMENDED COST ESTIMATE WOULD BE BETWEEN £1,000 AND £2,000 PER SQUARE METRE.
IT IS CRUCIAL TO INCLUDE ALL EXPENSES AND CATEGORIZE EACH ITEM, FROM SURVEYS TO LIGHT SWITCHES, WHEN CALCULATING THE COST OF A REFURBISHMENT OR EXTENSION PROJECT. ABOUT 40% OF RENOVATION PROJECTS GO OVER BUDGET BY APPROXIMATELY 20%; HENCE, IT'S CRUCIAL TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN YOUR BUDGET FOR ANY UNFORESEEN EXPENSES.
NUMEROUS ONLINE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCHING COSTS. HOWEVER, WHEN PLANNING YOUR BUDGET, HERE ARE A FEW FACTORS TO CONSIDER.
LABOUR COSTS CAN VARY GREATLY DEPENDING ON YOUR LOCATION. IT'S IMPORTANT TO RESEARCH AND GET QUOTES FROM LOCAL CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT YOUR BUDGET IS ACCURATE. BUDGETING FOR LABOUR COSTS IN ONE CITY OR REGION MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ANOTHER, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE PLANNING A VICTORIAN HOUSE EXTENSION IN A DIFFERENT AREA.
THE PRICES OF SUPPLIERS ARE SUBJECT TO CONSTANT INCREASE AND HAVE RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS. WHEN CONDUCTING ONLINE RESEARCH, IT IS ADVISABLE TO VERIFY WHETHER THE PRICES ARE STILL ACCURATE. YOU CAN CONTACT THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR FACTOR IN ANY POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL COSTS IN YOUR BUDGET TO AVOID ANY SURPRISES.
PLANNING FOR REALISTIC COSTS AND BUDGETING FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEMS WILL PREVENT GOING OVER BUDGET. IT CAN BE TEMPTING TO FIT THE COSTS INTO THE BUDGET, BUT THIS MAY LEAD TO CUTTING ESSENTIAL ITEMS LATER ON. BY PRIORITIZING THE ESSENTIAL COSTS AND ALLOWING ROOM FOR UNEXPECTED EXPENSES, YOU CAN ALWAYS CHOOSE TO CUT NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS. IF YOU END UP WITH LEFTOVER MONEY, YOU CAN ALWAYS USE IT TO ADD AESTHETIC TOUCHES THAT WERE INITIALLY CUT.
WHILE IT'S TEMPTING TO FOCUS ON THE AESTHETICS AND FITTINGS OF YOUR PROJECT, IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO OVERLOOK ESSENTIAL WORK LIKE DAMP-PROOFING AND ELECTRICS. NEGLECTING THESE CRITICAL ASPECTS COULD COMPROMISE THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PROJECT AND MAY RESULT IN HIGHER COSTS IN THE LONG RUN.
THE COST OF YOUR VICTORIAN HOUSE REFURBISHMENT OR EXTENSION WILL DEPEND ON VARIOUS FACTORS, INCLUDING THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE ROOMS BEING REFURBISHED, AND THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED. FOR EXAMPLE, A KITCHEN REFURBISHMENT AND EXTENSION WILL LIKELY COST MORE THAN A BEDROOM OR LIVING ROOM REFURBISHMENT DUE TO THE NECESSARY FIXTURES AND FITTINGS. UTILIZING AN ONLINE BUILD COST CALCULATOR CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH AN IDEA OF THE EXPECTED COSTS. ADDITIONALLY, SPEAKING TO NEIGHBOURS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE A SIMILAR PROJECT CAN BE HELPFUL, BUT BE AWARE THAT PRICES MAY HAVE INCREASED SINCE THEIR PROJECT WAS COMPLETED. IT'S ESSENTIAL TO PRIORITIZE ESSENTIAL WORK LIKE BUILDING, WIRING, PLUMBING, AND PLASTERING, RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON LUXURIES TO ENSURE THE PROJECT'S SUCCESS AND AVOID UNEXPECTED COSTS DOWN THE LINE. BY INVESTING IN ESSENTIAL WORK AND SCALING BACK ON NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS, YOU CAN TAILOR THE PROJECT TO FIT WITHIN YOUR BUDGET.
WORKING WITH ADOVA
WORKING WITH ADOVA, A RESIDENTIAL DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT CAN GIVE YOU INVALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE DESIGN, AS WELL AS RELIEVE YOU OF MUCH OF THE LEGWORK INVOLVED IN CHECKING LOCAL RESTRICTIONS AND PUTTING TOGETHER YOUR APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION.
IF THE IDEA OF RESEARCHING REPUTABLE CONTRACTORS SEEMS LIKE A MAMMOTH TASK, WE CAN EITHER ACT AS YOUR MAIN CONTRACTOR WITH OUR OWN CONSTRUCTION TEAM AND DELIVER THE PROJECT ON A TURNKEY BASIS; ALTERNATIVELY, WE CAN ACT AS THE PROJECT MANAGER AND UTILISE OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRADESPEOPLE AND SUPPLIERS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING DEPENDABLE CONTACTS TO YOUR PROJECT.