When Stuart and Janet Brook first saw their new home in Baildon in 1985, it was just a hole in the ground.

“This was our first house purchase, so the excitement of owning our first house, and it being a new one, meant so much to us,” says Stuart.

The couple viewed the same style property that was being built in Harrogate, so knew what features it had, being a two-bedroom house with land at the side and back.

“We could imagine extending and making it bigger when required,” he says.

It didn’t require enlarging for the next 15 years, when the couple built a single-storey extension to the side and rear. This made it three bedrooms, with the new bedroom having an en-suite shower room.

“We extended because of the work we do, looking after people with disabilities; we needed more bedrooms. Having the land to build on made it an easier option that moving home to something larger,” Stuart says.

“The new ground floor bedroom had doors leading to a decked area, which has now become the sun room or conservatory.”

The couple also made other changes, including the kitchen which was fitted four years ago, when a conservatory was erected, attached to the new extension, opening through into the kitchen/dining area.

“In the summer of 2007 we decided to go for it and take the roof off the extension and build upwards, making a master bedroom with a pitched ceiling with three electric roof windows with electric blinds.

“This is now the main feature of our home, and while the extension was created, the original bedroom was divided into two rooms – giving the house five bedrooms in all. The lower bedroom is now a study.”

Stuart and Janet lived in while the work was being carried out. “We moved from room to room like nomads, making do with what space we had,” he recalls.

And was it worth it?

“It certainly was,” says Stuart. “We were still using the ground floor bedroom during the time that the roof was removed and just covered with plastic sheeting. And of course it rained most of the time. But all in all, the building work was done without any problems.

“It’s a very versatile house and the layout of the rooms can be changed in various ways to suit any new owners.”

Enlarging a house from two bedrooms to five could result in a house with no flow, but that isn’t the case here. The extension has been done thoughtfully, with quality fixtures and fittings.

Now there is an entrance hall, lounge, well-appointed dining kitchen with utility room, a conservatory-style sun lounge with open views, ground floor shower room and ground floor bedroom or second reception room.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms – the master bedroom having an en-suite – and a family bathroom.

As well as double glazing and central heating, there is an alarm system and allocated parking, with planning permission for a detached garage.

Stuart and Janet don’t really have a favourite room. “We love it all,” says Stuart. “But if we had to choose it would probably be between the new upper floor bedroom and the conservatory/ sun room. It’s hard to choose, although we do spend a lot of time in the conservatory, watching TV or entertaining.”

The property has a low-maintenance garden with a summer house and decked area. “We eat out here a lot, weather permitting,” Stuart adds.

“We’ve spent 25 happy years in this house, have so many happy memories and enjoyed making all the changes.”

This property in John Street, Baildon, is on the market for £189,950 with Your Move, Baildon, tel (01274) 591952, web www.your-move.co.uk