Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 07, 2012 9:40 am Hi Everyone, just looking for some opinions, pros and cons etc If you were building a home on a super tight budget, and you could only afford a 3 bedroom house. Would you consider changing the laundry room into a study and then having a laundry 'nook' somewhere else? This would give you a 3 bedroom house plus a study. Do you think this would increase or decrease the homes value for resale? Hope that makes sense. Thanks guys Re: Replacing Laundry room with study - Pros & Cons 2Nov 07, 2012 9:52 am Would the cost of setting up the laundry nook (I like to call them Laundry In A Cupboard ) outweigh the benefit? You'd have to have the area waterproofed, have taps and drains set up, etc. Also think about where you'd put it. I was interested in a house once but they'd done this and the Laundry in a Cupboard was off their loungeroom - as soon as I saw that the house was ruled out. No way would I be living somewhere where you were sitting next to a noisy washing machine while trying to relax and watch TV/talk to people. (I have however lived in a house with a laundry in the cupboard that was fine, it was up the rear end of an old house so just the laundry/bathroom/toilet/spare room (it was a 4BR) was up there, so it was out of the way.) I'd be more inclined to buy a 3BR with laundry than a 3BR+S with a laundry in a cupboard, but thats just me. - MrsT Brought first house in 2008. Renovated...a LOT. Built in 2013. Our thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67954 Re: Replacing Laundry room with study - Pros & Cons 3Nov 07, 2012 10:00 am Thanks MrsT The nook would go outside the bathroom, so not in a living area. I know it wouldn't appeal to everyone, It might not be worth it. On such a tight budget I'm trying to think of space saving ideas to increase the homes potential Re: Replacing Laundry room with study - Pros & Cons 4Nov 07, 2012 10:18 am It probably depends alot on layout but for me, I would definately go for 3 bed & laundry. I personally like the idea of a study nook set up close to the living/kitchen area. A nook that has bifold or sliding doors so you can hide it away. If you have a computer there and paperwork such as bills it is all handy and easy to get to. You can also see what kids are doing on the computer! Study nooks seem to be appearing in more and more of the volume builders designs recently. A laundry in a cupboard means that you have very little space to store and sort washing. As you said, I'm sure others have different opinions. Good luck. Building is such a juggle between wants and needs and budget!!! Re: Replacing Laundry room with study - Pros & Cons 5Nov 07, 2012 10:22 am A study these days is only any value if you can make it another bedroom. With lots of people having laptops,or tablets, you don't really need a proper study. Perhaps you could have a Mission Control (see http://www.anewhouse.com.au/?p=526) Another alternative is to have a study nook as the previous poster says they are becoming more common. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Replacing Laundry room with study - Pros & Cons 6Nov 07, 2012 12:04 pm Hmm would not give up a study, since I use one to study. On the other hand having a laundry 'nook' would be something I would not like. So I assume that you want to resale the place relative quickly? If so a 3 br + laundry, would be my choice. But so many people so many different needs, so pick something that you would like. It does not matter how nice a place is there is always something. Re: Replacing Laundry room with study - Pros & Cons 7Nov 07, 2012 12:36 pm Where are you building? Who is likely to buy your property? I lived inner city and had a laundry cupboard off the bathroom and this was no issue when I came to sell as it suited the house and location. If you are building in the suburbs I would guess that most people would prefer a proper laundry over a study!?! Maybe call an estate agent in your area and ask what they think would be best! Standard uninsulated double brick has an R value of around 0.7. An insulated standard 90mm stud timber frame can have an R value of around 2.7. Even if you insulate a… 17 12046 2 8358 Yes, get a builder, make sure he is experienced and a registered building practitioner 5 8960 |