Bungalow Renovation Expert Guide – How to Upgrade a Single-Storey Home

Case study 1980s bungalow transformed into a light-filled modern home

Build It readers Linda and Vic Woods bought a 1980s bungalow on the outskirts of Glasgow, with plans to undertake a renovation that would retain the spirit of the single-storey building. The couple worked with NVDC Architects to create the scheme, which took the floorplan from 150m² to 280m². An L-shaped extension wraps around the house, with the two main bedrooms on the east elevation to catch the morning sun. More than 50% of the external walls were removed and a steel frame was put in to support the roof structure. This allowed for wow-factor architectural details like the glass corner in the master bedroom.

Photo: David Barbour

All the windows were replaced with new triple glazed units from Rationel and the original slate roof upgraded. Having previously had no insulation, all the existing walls have now been insulated from the inside to help create an energy efficient building. An air source heat pump powers underfloor heating and the swathes of glazing have been designed with a roof overhang to limit excessive solar gain.

The project took 43 weeks to complete. So, how much did this bungalow renovation and extension cost? The renovation and extension cost the couple cost the couple £731,000 (£2,611 per m²). This includes:

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Adding an extension while undertaking a bungalow renovation

You can, of course, extend the house and add to the floorspace as part of a bungalow renovation. You will need to consider your roofline as adjusting its structure can be expensive. A cost-effective solution could be a flat roof extension, which in this instance, will likely be a separate unit that’s connected to the original bungalow’s roof structure beneath the eaves. This is the simplest solution, as a flat roof extension is self-supporting and easier to achieve than joining the old and new sections seamlessly.

If you extend while undertaking a bungalow renovation, it’s important to consider natural light. Incorporate larger windows, rooflights or even glazed doors to flood the interior with daylight. This not only enhances the feeling of space but also creates a connection with the outdoors.

An obvious way to create more space when renovating a bungalow is to extend upwards and add an extra useful storey. This also negates any need for work on the bungalow’s foundations, provided these are strong enough to hold an additional storey. This will most likely involve the addition of a staircase, as well as the introduction of glazing, such as rooflights or Juliette balconies.

There are a number of different loft conversions on offer for bungalow renovations. Assuming you have the head height required (2.2 metres from the floor to the bottom of the ridge beam), the simplest option is to go up into the existing roof space, creating additional rooms. A big limitation here will be usability of the entire loft due to the apex compromising space, which may also come with layout challenges.

For example, you’ll struggle fitting a full-height wardrobe and other storage features. A more costly and labour-intensive option, but one that provides more functionality (as well as the potential to add more value) is the addition of a dormer extension. This involves creating a flat-roofed addition, extending the space out from your sloping roof to give full head space across the room.

Finally, if a loft conversion does not take your fancy, why not create a high ceiling as part of the bungalow renovation? By opening this up to the pitch of the roof, your bungalow renovation can bring a grand, spacious feel to your home.

Upgrading the bungalow’s exterior facade

Upgrading a bungalow’s exterior is a fantastic way to completely transform its presence on the street scene and boost its kerb appeal. “Windows on older bungalows are likely to have standard head and sill heights. A simple, non-structural adjustment is to lower the sill, but keep the opening at the same width,” says Opinder Liddar, director at Lapd Architects. “This means that the structural lintels above the windows can stay the same, but you’ll benefit from better light in and greater visibility out. If your project involves more intensive structural changes then it’s worth increasing the openings’ size, perhaps replacing them with glazed doors,” he says.

Nestled into a cul-de-sac in South West London, this once-vacant 1960s bungalow has been extended and renovated to create an open-plan, efficient family home. The design, by Sophie Bates Architects, involved converting the garage, adding a two-storey side extension and a dormer loft space. A new, double-height living area on the ground floor is flooded with natural light via a glazed gable end. Photo: Simon Kennedy

“Updating the front door is a simple way to get a contemporary look; choose a unit that works with your new glazing. A front porch will help to break up long, flat elevations, as will the addition of bay windows,” says Opinder.

“Consider tall, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and large windows to enhance the home’s relationship with the outdoors, improve access to natural light and create a sense of space,” says Sophie Bates, director at Sophie Bates Architects. External artificial lighting features can make a charming addition to the house’s exterior facade and garden, creating an atmosphere in the evening.

Improving the bungalow’s energy efficiency

Many bungalows were built in the 1930s and ’40s, and yet more from the ’60s onwards. Whilst these properties are often sturdy, they won’t achieve the efficiency standards of today’s new build homes. However, there are several ways you can improve the property’s thermal performance as part of the bungalow renovation:

Wall insulation

Adding wall insulation is an obvious upgrade for an efficient bungalow renovation, but it’s important to consider when your home was constructed and the type of walls you have. If you have solid walls, the structure will need to breathe and so you will need to insulate correctly to enable air circulation (for instance, using natural materials such as wool, or building a timber frame with an air gap), helping to avoid condensation and mould issues down the line.

Floor insulation

Earlier bungalows were built with suspended floors, meaning there’ll be a gap beneath them to fill with insulation. Breathability is key when renovating a bungalow like this and materials such as mineral fibre can be effective but this usually means lifting your boards. Newer floors tend to be solid (ie concrete). They’re less prone to heat loss but can still be insulated by adding a foam layer on top, for example, and covering with chipboard.

Charlie Luxton Design remodelled and refurbished this mid-century modern bungalow on the edge of a village in Buckinghamshire. Working with the existing building’s fabric, the internal layout was rearranged to open up the spaces and improve the connection to the terraced garden and surrounding countryside views. Photo: Ed RS Aves

Loft insulation

Upgrading loft insulation is a quick win to increase thermal performance when undertaking a bungalow renovation as your loft space is often easy to access and will be a key area for heat loss. There are three main types of loft insulation. These are blanket, loose fill and blown – each suit different kinds of loft space and budget.

Good quality glazing

Glazing that’s well-installed can greatly improve a home’s performance. If upgrading or replacing windows isn’t an option, you can introduce measures such as secondary glazing or draughtproofing as part of the bungalow renovation.

The best ways to add value to a bungalow when renovating

Whilst it’s important to make changes to your home that you can enjoy, it’s also critical to consider those that’ll add value. Here are the key projects to consider:

Single-storey extensions

Single-storey extensions can be valuable, especially when expanding living/dining areas and improving the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. They’re a cost-effective way to add significant square footage and are often easier to obtain planning permission for than two-storey additions. On the other side, an extension can reduce garden space which can impact future sales if not done effectively.

Masterminded by Mole Architects, this bungalow extension and renovation in Suffolk has completely transformed a tired building into a spectacular home. The house is connected to the outdoors via a set of IDSystems sliding doors, and has been finished with Russwood’s cedar cladding; a sympathetic exterior facade option. Photo: Nick Guttridge

Double-height extensions

Adding a double storey extension is potentially the highest value project, but also the most expensive option. Whilst it can double your living space, it can be a complex and disruptive construction process, requiring significant structural alterations and therefore carrying greater risk.

Converting the loft

Loft conversions are often less complex and at times, may fall under permitted development. However, head height restrictions means there is a limit in terms of the maximum space and value they can add. Consider adding dormers to maximise space.

Adding a porch

Porches are generally a lower-value project, but equally, are less complex and can be completed on a smaller budget. A good porch extension will boost kerb appeal, provide weather protection and create a defined entrance, although they won’t enhance the living space and could still require planning permission.

Creating a balcony

Balconies and other stand-out features can help take advantage of great vistas. Just be mindful that these are usually subject to planning permission, which can increase complexity and costs.

Upgrading the exterior cladding

Rendering your bungalow or upgrading the exterior cladding with timber boards, for example, can help modernise the structure and improve its visual appeal, which could in turn increase buyer interest.

How much does a bungalow renovation cost?

Your bungalow renovation costs will depend on a number of factors such as location, materials and the extent of works needed. For example, adding new space and foundations, or underpinning existing foundations as part of a bungalow renovation will of course be more expensive than simply changing the layout.

On average you should expect to budget the following for a bungalow renovation:

• For an entire bungalow renovation, including a basic loft conversion, you should look to budget around £1,500 per m². This includes labour and materials of an average specification.
• A simple loft conversion, with compromised headroom, could start at around £50,000, assuming you opt for lower-end window solutions.
• A dormer loft conversion as part of a bungalow renovation is likely to start at £70,000, again assuming basic glazing fixtures.

This 1950s bungalow was too small for the young family living there, so they brought in LA Hally Architect to design a large two-storey extension. The addition features a contrasting exterior palette of timber cladding and big windows

As with any home improvement project, though, it’s tricky to pin down bungalow renovation costs until you really get into the job. To help you budget effectively, it’s important to note how the following areas can impact your total project costs:

Structural work

Foundation repairs/improvements are hard to predict when undertaking a bungalow renovation. If you are reinforcing the house’s foundations then cost will depend on the extent of the work required, soil conditions, and accessibility.

Roof alterations/extensions

This will depend on quality of the existing roof, the pitch, materials used (ie tiles, slates) and complexity of the design.

Wall removal/addition

Where we have talked about open-plan living or internal reconfigurations, costs can escalate when structural support requirements are more in-depth. For example, moving supporting walls as part of the bungalow renovation will increase costs versus stud walls.

Plumbing and electrical upgrades

Issues related to plumbing etc (such as broken drains or a need to move soil pipes) can significantly impact how much your bungalow renovation costs and the project’s timeline. The age of your house’s existing systems can also influence this.

Finishes, fixtures & fittings

Overall, the specification of fixtures and fittings can have a huge impact on costs, though these are more under your control. Kitchens and bathrooms often make up large chunks of a budget, and can vary widely depending on quality and specification.

A top tip for keeping your bungalow renovation as budget-friendly as possible is to source items and have someone install them separately, as this costs much less than paying someone for an entire bathroom suite and installation service, for example.

Always ensure you get multiple quotes for the bungalow renovation works and do not be afraid to challenge costs to fully understand what you’ll be paying for before committing. Remember that unforeseen issues often arise during home improvement projects, so it’s wise to factor in a contingency of at least 10-20% of your total bungalow renovation budget.