Adding a new window to an existing wall

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Adding a new window to an existing wall - feasible?

Bluebottle

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#298933 28-Jul-2022 15:14

We are in the process of buying a brand new townhouse that is about 80% built. We are getting a good price, but unfortunately the design is not taking advantage of this being a corner unit, and there are no windows on the ground floor in the wall that is not adjacent to any other units. Is it absolutely crazy of me to want to put a window in at a later stage? Would it be extremely expensive to do so? I understand that this would require a Building Consent.

frankv

5705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3666

Lifetime subscriber

#2947438 28-Jul-2022 15:16

It'll never be cheaper to install a window than now, while it's still being built.

Bluebottle

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2947440 28-Jul-2022 15:18

It will probably be very difficult to get the developer to make any changes in the design at this stage, as it will impact the completion date and a whole bunch of other buyers... So yes, next to impossible to get them to do it now I would say.

nicmair

250 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#2947443 28-Jul-2022 15:34

there is lots of factors to this, the size of window desired, what if any services might be hidden in that wall, what the exterior construction is, is it load bearing, what's on top of it, (another story, roof type) etc etc, plus you might need an engineers report.

I agree its unlikely to get the developer to change it now, but now's a good time to get hold of a builder and get them in to look at what's there before all the lining go on. They will at least be able to give some indication of the possibility and any issues/challenges and the complexity and maybe even a ball park figure.

Bluebottle

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2947445 28-Jul-2022 15:38

nicmair:

there is lots of factors to this, the size of window desired, what if any services might be hidden in that wall, what the exterior construction is, is it load bearing, what's on top of it, (another story, roof type) etc etc, plus you might need an engineers report.

I agree its unlikely to get the developer to change it now, but now's a good time to get hold of a builder and get them in to look at what's there before all the lining go on. They will at least be able to give some indication of the possibility and any issues/challenges and the complexity and maybe even a ball park figure.

Awesome idea! I will get hold of the builder and ask them :)