Extension 6m structural drop

Hi we are considering a 6m extension but. We have a 2m veranda and then have a drop from house level of more than 1m to garden level which would incur the additional 4m.

1st architect has said yes 6m ok and incorporated a drop with set of stairs on the inside to go from existing house level into extension and the 2nd said doesn't recommend it and says go out 2m where current veranda area is due to going out 6m and incorporating the drop would incur more cost and headaches than a 6m straight out extension in respect to foundations and neighbours.

Therefore wanted to ask would a structural engineer advise going out that far with such a drop involved and how much more would it cost than a normal straight out 6m extension or would they recommend the 2m and do loft conversion instead of the additional 4m.

If only there was some way of visualising these kind of concerns.

Seems pretty obvious to me.

Gadget22 said:

Hi we are considering a 6m extension but. We have a 2m veranda and then have a drop from house level of more than 1m to garden level which would incur the additional 4m.

1st architect has said yes 6m ok and incorporated a drop with set of stairs on the inside to go from existing house level into extension and the 2nd said doesn't recommend it and says go out 2m where current veranda area is due to going out 6m and incorporating the drop would incur more cost and headaches than a 6m straight out extension in respect to foundations and neighbours.

Therefore wanted to ask would a structural engineer advise going out that far with such a drop involved and how much more would it cost than a normal straight out 6m extension or would they recommend the 2m and do loft conversion instead of the additional 4m.

Click to expand...

It's a fairly simple choice. Either 1. you have a split level extension 2. you dig out the veranda and build the extension at the lower level 3. you raise the extension so it is level with the ground floor of the house.

There are cost implications for all 3 but none are a deal breaker as far as I can see and certainly nothing that you would need a structural engineer for.

What puzzles me is the ready acceptance to reduce the extension and have a loft conversion instead? What are you actually trying to achieve because I'm struggling to understand how a loft conversion could replace a ground floor extension? Do want more living space or more bedrooms?

I don't understand what the problem with 4 metres of the extension being effectively "hollow"?
It's common when people have a house on a hill with the garden sloping.

You could have a sunken wine cellar built in- one that pops up?
You could make doors on the rear base to store garden furniture?