Cats_pyjamas

Yeah, it's pretty dead. But you can get a good deal I hear (on houses anyway, not flats.) Anybody know what the going rate is on a 3 bed period house in Forest Hill/ Brockley/ HOP these days? Estate agent websites have prices that are still way inflated, and it's not possible to see the actual sold prices until the Land Registry updates. Hard to know what's normal these days. Or whether more stock will arrive in Sept.

Hi, yes it would be under Permitted Dev. Unfortunately I think it's going to be too costly for our budget.

Thanks LondonMix. No loo or London stock, no underfloor heating, no garden levelling or architect's fees but yes to the rest!

Sorry for the alarm :) We are just finding it so hard to get any idea of what a side return extension will cost. It all seems very cloak and dagger. People come to quote but don't reply. Forum posts are old, so hard to tell if figures are realistic. We just wanted an idea of something very simple on a low rise, mid Victorian terrace: a 1.2m return with a length of 6m. I know the kitchen will be about ?15k on top. If anyone could be so kind as to reply or PM me with what they paid, I would be grateful. We are looking for width, not to make this a Grand Designs project. We will redo the kitchen anyway with new flooring and knocking out a side window, sos we're simply trying to find out if going into the side is even feasible. Thanks

Oh thank you so much, and devsdev - that was a perfect comparison! Actually the places are the same price and similar square footage although Syd has a slightly larger garden. With both options, we are 13 mins walk to a park. With Crofton Park, we would be in the catchment for Beecroft Garden school for sure. And we'd also need a nursery or childcare for a baby. With Sydenham, I find the schools a bit more confusing. Looks like it's bit of a further walk to Harris Academy at Crystal P, or Alexandra Infants. Not sure if anyone has experience of these. Crofton Park's road seems busy, and crazy polluted. But the cafes and facilities are great! Sydenham's a little poorer in terms of cool cafes and supermarket, but we would be closer to the train station. Does anyone have a magic 8 ball..?

Ah yes, the elusive seat!! Now that is a good point. Thanks :)

Oh really, transport is better? I would have thought Crofton Park had better transport because you'd just walk back to Honor Oak and pick up the London Bridge service or the Overground. Tell me if I'm missing something though!

If you were a young family of 4 looking to move out of East Dulwich would you look at Crofton Park or Sydenham? Seen a decent house with a dodgy EA in Crofton P, but happy it's zone 2. Seen a better house in Sydenham but worried it'll feel too far out and Sydenham isn't as nice.. Thoughts?

Thanks everyone. I will check out British Standard, and someone has also mentioned Benchmarx (thoughts?) I?m going to look at Howden?s but how do you know if your builder is going to pass you on the best discount he/ she can? If anyone has any recommendations for people I?d be happy to hear them*. *Genuine ones only please. We will need removal of an old kitchen, removal of a window to add bifolds, plus kitchen fitting.

I would also be interested to know if it's any better getting on at Crofton Park?

Has anyone had experience with either a Wren or Howdens kitchen? We visited Wren last week, and the whole things smacks of dodgy deals by men in cheap suits. We experienced heavy handed salesmen (who didn?t really understand spatial design principles) who then quoted us ?14k for a simple, 12 unit galley kitchen inc. 3 appliances. They said this was a half price deal!! Installation came in at ?2,500. I?m not keen as the service was pretty amateur and there seems to be little transparency with their quotes. What are Howdens like? Do you need a very trusted builder to make it work? And should we get a local kitchen fitter to save us money? Heading to IKEA at this rate ? :-/

We are thinking of buying a place in ED that has a small, North facing back garden. The bedroom at the front gets lots of lovely sun, but the garden is mostly in shadow. Does anyone who has a North facing back garden have a viewpoint? Do you regret it? Does anything even grow? We've seen a smaller place that has a south facing garden but it needs more work and no period features remain. Weighing it all up!

You're so lucky to even live in a house, and especially so in East Dulwich. Don't forget that.

Ah, I was just trying to find out if a referral had been made. I was on hold for 57 minutes! 57!!! And the outcome? "Dunno....everyone's on lunch right now. Try again tomorrow" %*|?~BSJ:?;8:&!!!!! Is the patients' meeting confirmed? Sign me up!

Currently I'm on hold to them. I have been on hold for 37 minutes. I am still only position 4 in the queue.

I would have happily taken you up on the offer, but it was a bit short notice! One day?