subject: Garden Building, Conservatory, Extension: Moving Home? [print this page] Ah, Christmas timeAh, Christmas time. Turkey, mistletoe, Only Fools and Horses. Added to which let's not forget the unwanted relatives young and old, arguments about who did what to whom and who's watching what on the TV which can bring into sharp relief the need that many of us have for more space in our-albeit temporarily- overcrowded homes.
So, once the dust has settled and a steely resolve has set in that this will never be the case again, what are your options?
Well firstly there's moving house which is by far the most drastic course of action and has the most potential obstacles; the current state of the housing market; the costs of moving; the upheaval of relocating family, finding a new school etc. This should only be attempted by the brave (or foolhardy?) and only then if all alternatives have been ruled out.
How about getting an extension built? Considerations before doing this are most obviously i) the cost- typically a one storey extension, perhaps converting a garage could cost upwards of 25000GBP - ii) planning permission- particularly difficult in listed properties, Conservation Areas or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and iii) the mess and upheaval of heavy building works taking place for one or two months or possibly even longer.
Get a conservatory. Not a bad idea on the surface; compared to an extension a faster, less messy option but the real negative to conservatories is...glass! Yes, they let a lot of light in from the sun, but they also let in the heat too which in summer can become unbearable even with the doors open. Then, come wintertime they become practically unusable because of the cold unless you fork out a substantial amount on heating them.
What about a garden building? What is a garden building though? Well, it is whatever you want it to be. Constructed in a matter of days, it is most often sited in your garden and used for such diverse purposes as offices, summer houses, home cinemas, swimming pool houses, games rooms and more recently as an alternative to a conservatory as they are insulated in the walls, floor and ceilings and thus offer year round usability. They also hardly ever require planning permission providing you follow some very clear ground rules; if you do live in an AONB, a CA or listed property then planning will be required but planning officials will be on your side if you select a building that is traditional in style and will blend into its surroundings.
