Is our budget big enough?

Hi Guys

We have decided to extend our dining room and it is going to be approx 94.5 sq ft. We want to include french doors and a new L-shaped kitchen with island. Our budget is 20k. Is that enough or have we buried our heads in the sand with regard to prices of extensions, french doors and new kitchens?

Thanks in advance

Juppie

First reaction is - not even close .

However, there are a lot of variables. The cost of an extension/building is anywhere between 100 to 200 euro per sq. ft., depending on finish etc. required. This could amount to say 15,000 for a builders finish. Add to that the cost of flooring/curtins/paint etc. Floors alone, say laminate @ 10euro per foot, is 1000, or semi solid @ 40euro is 4000. There is 15~20K already.

I would say that the most expensive single item is the kitchen. If you get an idea of what you want, and go to B&Q/Cash & Carry/ an expensive kitchen crowd, and get ballpark prices. Take this off the €20,000 and you will know what you have to play with.

Believe me, it is quite easy to spend over €20,000 on the kitchen alone, including appliances. I won't tell you how I am finding this out

On a positive note, it is the right time to look for builders. Put your haggling hat on and you should get a good deal.

Thanks for your post Buddyboy!

We have a builder coming out this evening to give us a quote on the extension alone.

My fiance was self employed as a tiler for a few years so we didnt really factor flooring into our budget as he will do all the flooring himself and source it as well at a cheaper price. I'm more worried that we will actually get the extension and buy the kitchen out of the 20k and we can get the rest ourselves over time.

Apart of me is beginning to rethink the extension and would rather use the 20k for a new kitchen, new flooring through out the house and other bits and pieces that we need. Would it be madness to spend 20k on a house and NOT get an extension?

On the other hand one does not have to buy new appliances for a new kitchen if the old ones work. Ours cost just under 2K in Ikea and we are buying no appliances.

We did want to include a new fridge and oven as well. I guess we may need to go back to the drawing board

Juppie said:

Thanks for your post Buddyboy!

Apart of me is beginning to rethink the extension and would rather use the 20k for a new kitchen, new flooring through out the house and other bits and pieces that we need. Would it be madness to spend 20k on a house and NOT get an extension?

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I don't think it would be madness at all. It all depends on the reasons for the extension. If you need the space, then fair enough. Whereas if you just want a makeover or freshen-up then spend the money on updating your current house. You haven't said if it is a new house, or recently purchased old house etc.

We bought a 2000 sq ft house and are spending a lot of money on it, without extending at all. We don't need the extra space, but the house needs a makeover (knocking walls, putting in ensuites etc.)

So, I don't know. I can only suggestt that you do the sums and see what has the best "bang for buck" taking into account what your needs are and what you are trying to achieve (new look, more space, etc.)

It is a lot cheaper to do it at this stage on paper. Kick ideas around for as long as you need. Ask the builder for any ideas.