Recently we have just completed one of our biggest projects this year for a customer in Teignmouth. The customers live in a two bedroom bungalow with a garage beneath and had contacted us about the possibility of having a conservatory at the rear of the property, with a loft conversion to create more space and possibly another bedroom.
After many hours planning and discussion also involving our structural surveyor, we came to the conclusion that due to the layout and pitch of the roof, a loft conversion was not feasible to create a sizeable living space. It was then at this point we explored the alternative of a garage conversion. The client and ourselves explored the possibility of converting the double garage and extending this space further beneath the property with earth removal. The final plan allowed for a very large bedroom with en-suite and new internal staircase leading to the original first floor.
Planning was required for this project so we contacted Dave Francis (DCF Drawings) who carryout all our drawings required for planning and to help visualise the proposed external views and internal layouts of the property, so the customers could get a sense of what the finished property would look like.
Once planning had been approved, we then cut through the garage supporting wall once the structural work had been carried out. Then all the soil was removed to allow for the the new en-suite bathroom and staircase. During this process it was apparent that due to the placement and size of the current footings and foundations, under-pinning the property would be required. Upon completion of the digging out, we were then able to mark the openings for the new front door and staircase, which would allow the existing front door at the top of the balcony to be moved to the ground floor. This also enabled us to install a window into the old front door opening and allowed us to completely remove the balcony.
Once the existing balcony had been removed, we were able to source the original slate used on the property to seamlessly blend in the alterations. This was then used to continue the slate rendering down and across the front of the property. We were then able to hide the scar line of the existing balcony and provide the look that allowed the property to appear as if a balcony was not originally there.
Once the internal structural and building work was complete we moved to the rear. Here we started the foundations for the conservatory and dwarf wall ready to install the frames and glass roof.
Once the conservatory was weather tight, we then removed some of the kitchen wall that had the existing kitchen window and door to create an open plan space, that allowed seamless movement from the lounge, through the kitchen and into the new conservatory.
Due to the size of the opening left by the garage door being removed, we were able to make the replacement ‘A-Rated’ windows match the existing windows including the large lounge window, which would make the windows appear as if they have been there from the beginning and part of the original house design. We then installed ‘A-Rated’ windows to the entire property.
Now that the project is complete with the newly upstairs bathroom finished the customers are really happy with the results and transformations that make their home look and feel completely new and different.
The customers have quoted “Curwell’s management enabled a seamless project without the need to temporarily move out of the building.” and “Curwell, were great tradesman and they were always on hand and ensured we got the build we wanted. We love it.