First check that the extension has a building permit. It looks like the old roof will sit on the old external wall which probably was replaced with beams to create the connecting openings. You will need to engage a builder and structural engineer to assess. An architect could also provide some advice.

anything is possible but depends on how much you want to spend..see if you can find a Google Earth photo of the whole roof from above and a floor plan of upstairs and down..do you know if the floor of the original house and extension is raised timber with a crawl space or concrete on the ground but, as you say, by the time you change the roof and ceilings you might gain more value from a new extension but what's in the small extensions and what is the purpose of the changed ceilings..is it because you prefer a different style of ceiling or do you want to change the use of the rooms or floorplan?

Yes the building has crawl space underneath both original and extension

Not sure if the slope is original veranda or not?

What’s the best way to make sure the extension was done with permit, check at council? There’s no online check for this council, they say to go to town hall to check... can councils check this info over the phone?

Kate I think you’re right about old roof sitting on old external wall and a beam holding it up! What is the procedure/cost in this case? I have an internal photo I can post

if the previous extension isn't too old the Council may have copies of previous approved plans but phone first to ask as non owners may not have access and/or there will probably be a fee but the selling agent should be able to locate a copy for serious prospective buyers

Your solicitor should have access to everything on your behalf and yes you will have to pay but it will most likely clear up all your queries

Unfortunately solicitor doesn’t have access and told us we can check if we want with council, but that will negate title insurance unless we get known risk insurance
I don’t think this agent will cooperate with such requests! But I guess I could contact council myself and pay the fee

But regarding the issue of ceiling raises, I guess we’re stuck with the ceiling or a knockdown- rebuild of the extension? Problem is stairs lead from the extension to upstairs, which makes me worry about home security issues if the extension is knocked down! I’m guessing to knockdown- rebuild a 50sqm extension shouldn’t cost more than 200k ish?

If you can arrange an architect to inspect and give a report. Archicentre can help.

one way to raise the ceiling is to lower the floor but plans would help understand the spaces better

Or replace both ceilings into one tall flat boxed roofed area Parapet style

Siriuskey that’s exactly what I’d like to do if it’s possible, but I guess I won’t know without getting engineering/architect opinion in person. The floor has been lowered a bit from the original house already, there’s a decent (50cm?) step down internally

You will need to use a local to show what is possible, but yes depending on aspect you could use a parapet or windows to raise the height overall without knowing what those two rear spaces house apart from stairs the whole rear of the house could be squared off.

The other quick thing I thought was that the sloping roof could be turned into glass sloping panels, depending again on aspect cheers

Yes it can be done without knocking down existing walls, etc.

Remove roof structure, adjust wall heights, create new roof structure, make good all surfaces.

Simple when we say it quickly however it all hinges on budget, final vision, etc.

Sometimes it is more economical to knockdown existing additions and start again, more so if its non compliant, has structural issues and suchlike. Ballpark costs of brand new works at say around $2500 per square metre, not perfect estimations but it gives a basic starting point of costs if you went to demolish the existing adds and start afresh.

Thanks MB Design, 2500 per sqm sounds doable for a nice new extension! I guess at this stage my concern is about a staircase that starts just below the slanting roof, so I worry it’s a security risk(entrance to house) if the surrounding walls are demolished... perhaps the staircase entrance could be boarded up temporarily I guess.

Agree with all of MDs comments, budget is all important, but at least if you can go forward with some vision of what you would like it will help, to save time and money

I know a builder who built a whole house with all the ceilings 2ft lower than what the plans stated, not sure what that cost him but he raised the roof so that the house still looked the same just taller. It looks like a lovely old house and most likely has other strange twists under the ownership of the rear extension, please keep us posted

Jeez -- you're braver than me ! Lets start -- you take off all the tiles individually , remove the wiring , remove the crossmembers and gutterings and old insulation and building paper , frame it higher , probably new crossmembers , reassemble , find new matching roof tiles because you can guarantee some won't survive , timber that matches , re-gib the inside ( possibly the whole walls depending on condition ) , decide if you retain the windows ( I suspect they'd look too small / low ) or new windows , and same with the doors . Repaint / wallapaper / maybe blinds . The materials more difficult than expensive ; but the labour would be expensive .

And what do you end up with ? Not really much IMO . A taller version of a fairly plain 1980's house . That's a bit harsh -- it's going to be your home . And the cold-hearted ( haha ) part of me would ask will it make it worth any more ?

Do you spend $50K ? Do you think you are getting a bargain and its worth it ? Do you pass on the house ? Do you modernise the whole house ? The house next door makes me think its in a 'better' neighbourhood , so maybe live in it for 2 or 3 years , and do a $200k remodel . Just doing that rear part doesn't strike me as a great idea ( unless you are all 2.4 metres tall haha ) , BUT then I don't know the whole story . . . . . . . .