Convert paved extension into living space

1000 m2... edge of the field, so it could well be possible.

If it is an outdoor area, you would need to have an agricultural business in order to carry out any structural changes.

Draw a floor plan as it will actually be. How will things be used, that is, what is the exact need or plan for your living? What is the budget for construction measures?

If it is an outdoor area, you would need to have an agricultural business in order to make any structural changes.

What do you mean by that? The 1000m2 is garden. Structural changes to the house or outside? I do not operate any agriculture and neither did the previous owner.

Draw a floor plan as it will actually be. How will things be used, that is, what is the exact requirement or plan for your living?
What is the budget for construction measures?

We have a budget of €40,000. I know that is not much. But many things can be renovated gradually, like windows, for example. The €40,000 is primarily to make it ready to move in. It is an old building and will remain one. I do not expect any frills and just want to live peacefully with my family. Currently, we pay around €250 for heating, which is okay. And I am fully aware that it won’t be perfect! Upstairs there is another bathroom and 4 bedrooms. There are double-glazed windows everywhere, nothing is insulated. The electrical system is mostly new already. I still want to insulate the attic in a cost-effective way.

Couldn’t you remove the stones and cover with insulation boards?

Unfortunately, that does not solve the problem of mold tendency in such a room. In winter, you have quite a lot of moisture in the air when it is cozy warm. It settles where surfaces are coldest. So if you insulate the floor well, but not the walls and windows accordingly, the moisture moves there. If the windows are super insulated, then not there either, but to a wall. Only when you bring all areas to the same insulation standard can you save energy and at the same time avoid mold. That’s why all this is so expensive nowadays. In the past, energy prices were low and everything was simply controlled by power. The old somewhat drafty houses had great air quality and exorbitant energy consumption in winter.

Ok, solution-oriented with a budget, but young hardworking hands. The roof of the conservatory has rafters. They will be doubled in-house to about 20cm. Check if there is a membrane under the roof tiles. The wood must of course be removed beforehand. After doubling, insulate. Then a vapor barrier, cross battens, and cladding. There are many different variants, use the U-value calculator to calculate. Then remove the paving and build a floor slab yourself. Pay attention to the different and necessary levels and the wall connections. You can find all this via search engines. The windows remain weak points - that's just the way it is. Then you have done a lot with little money. Note - all in-house work, of course including reinforcement, concrete, and screed. I would then make the door to the "hallway" a side entrance door. Insulate the house roof in-house. That brings a lot for little money. About 30% of the energy is lost through the roof if it is not insulated. Then: look for weak points. Leaky windows, shutters, etc. If there is no new heating system, at least optimize the existing one. You can also insulate that, as well as the hot water storage tank, if present and old. It will all work out!