If you are looking to add a downstairs WC to your semi detached property there are 2 main areas to look at.
1. Foot of stairs
If you have 130cm of space between your bottom step and the front wall you can probably add a downstairs WC, even if the front door is further ‘across’ than is ideal.
Before
After
We do this by turning the bottom few steps through 90 degrees, leaving a narrower entry corridor (but more facilities.)
Pricing
£10k-£12k on average
FEW variables – just suite items and wall/floor finishes (that depend on customer preference.)
Timescale
2.5 weeks
Pros
✅ Full head height space
✅ No gas / electricity meters to relocate (normally)
✅ No knocking through / bricking up coal store doors to do (or suspended floors to build)
✅ Natural light IF window present
Cons
❌ Extensive joinery work required to build studwork and turn stairs
❌ Re-carpeting of bottom few steps adds an additional trade
❌ Narrows the front hallway and blocks natural light
❌ Front door / window to consider – room may have to taper (below)
❌ Groundworks likely required & drive re-patching (some drives harder to patch than others)
❌ Building control sign off required (+ electrical certificate)
Sometimes this template can be adapted to suit specific circumstances:
Tapered room to fit behind front door
House extended to make shower room (not just WC)
See whats possible in your space
2. Under stairs
If you live in a semidetached property, you also likely have an understairs cupboard (and perhaps an outside coal store) which can be adapted to make a downstairs cloakroom.
Sometimes you have to extend into the coalstore….
And sometimes you don’t…
And sometimes you need to do everything…..
Before
After
Before
After
Pricing
£6-£13k
(lots of variables)
Timescale
1 – 2.5 weeks
Pros
✅ Less joinery often required to create the space
✅ Window often already present to provide natural light
✅ Light / electrics may already be in place
✅ Often easy position to run drainage to the existing stack
Cons
❌ May need to knock through into kitchen / coalstore to create sufficient space
*(+ brick up old door & level floor through)*
❌ Utility meters may need relocating (£££)
❌ Alarms and fusebox may need relocating
❌ Head height can be limited vs the stairs
❌ Access door off hall may have to be sliced to accommodate pitch of stairs
❌ Soil pipe may have to be replaced to make necessary connections if cast iron
❌ Building control sign off required (+ electrical certificate)