Demolish and Rebuild?

Often I am asked about the feasibility of altering an existing extension to provide a more rational floor plan and facilities. In some cases I have to advise that the demolition and rebuilding of an extension is the most cost effective route to achieve the client's goals. Key factors that may have a bearing are:

  • Age of the existing extension and the method of construction. This may make it unsuitable or structurally expensive to alter. The existing fabric will not meet today's need to conserve energy in the home and therefore would require upgrading. 
  • The position of the extension in relation to the house may have been designed poorly resulting in a floor plan which does not provide the opportunity to  improve the linkage with the existing house and/ or improve the layout of the facilities.
  • Glazing. It may be because the client wishes to change the nature of the extension to a family room for instance with improved visibility to a garden that larger windows are necessary.This may require such structural alterations to the external wall to in effect merit demolition.
  • Design. It may not be possible to give the client the appearance they want using the existing envelop

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