Reply to: Loft conversion - when can work start?

[alreadypacked]

London loft conversion...

roof of Lewisham house £660,000 collapse during renovation | Metro News

Maybe they were going for that open plan look, now it very open

[DallasDad]

I had my loft converted a few years ago when we discovered number three son was on the way
Huge bedroom with a sink, and my Soho.

We only required building regs approval.
5 Velux, 2 front 3 rear no dormers or changes to the roof line
If you can get upvc velux go for them, we get a fair bit of condensation and the pine ones need a lot of maintenance of the laquer
don't bother with velux blinds though the aren't cheap and destroy themselves very quickly!

One of our windows had to be a full (top) opener to provide a means of escape we also needed an internal step to meet egress requirements.

We have a shallow pitch roof so head height is limited.
This led to some creative designing by our architect to maintain the mandatory minimum head height over the stairwell - without meeting that the conversion would not have been signed off as a habitable room which is bad it impacts resale value and will put buyers off.

We delayed starting our build for 18 month after gaining building regs approval, that was a bad move as the building regs changed.
We had to fit an additional 50 mm of insulation behind the ceiling plasterboard and that required a redesign of the stairs again - result two drop landings and a velux above the stairs gave the extra height required.
The carpenter who did my stairs charged £1200, measured once, built them in one piece and they fitted like a glove.

We also had to retrofit a lot of roof ventilation at ridge tile level after an out of the blue site visit from local buildings inspector, yep they can dictate things out of the blue so don't wind them up!

My conversion took my builders who specialised in loft conversions 7 weeks with me doing 1st and 2nd fix for electrics and plumbing.

Best value for money building project I have done to date.

[SueEllen]

we're lucky because I'm 6'2" and can comfortably stand up in the middle of the loft with at least another 1 1/2 ft head clearance, but it's a semi so I think you get higher roof heights

Roof heights depend on when the house got built. In general the more modern the house the lower the roof height.

[DimPrawn]

£1200 - £1500 per square metre apparently

think loft conversions are a bit more

this site's good for indicative costs

Home Improvement and Decoration Project Prices including Conservatory Costs

Proper loft conversions (ie. where the room is deemed habitable and can be called an extra bedroom) are a lot more.

[filthy1980]

It will be a lot more than you think, that's for sure.

Cost of building work has risen in line with house prices.

£1200 - £1500 per square metre apparently

think loft conversions are a bit more

this site's good for indicative costs

Home Improvement and Decoration Project Prices including Conservatory Costs

[DimPrawn]

It will be a lot more than you think, that's for sure.

Cost of building work has risen in line with house prices.

[filthy1980]

I'm thinking about a loft conversion too but we have a chalet style house so current height in loft is only around 1.4m. We will have to raise the whole roof and it is a sizeable roof.

I would imagine this would make the whole deal cost prohibitive.

prohibitive cost is probably subjective, if it's your home and you're planning on living in it for a number of years, and you gain value (not just monetary) from the conversion then it might be worth doing

different storey for developing, where the maths are a lot easier

we're lucky because I'm 6'2" and can comfortably stand up in the middle of the loft with at least another 1 1/2 ft head clearance, but it's a semi so I think you get higher roof heights

speak to an architect or even preferably a design & build company if you can find a good one

[barrydidit]

And ask him if he likes films about Gladiators too.

This. I'd be disgusted to find I was relying on a professional who didn't.

[FatLazyContractor]

Caption competition?

like this ???

Markymark in Thailand in front of a ladyboy.

[DimPrawn]

The most important thing to remember is that the radiator in this newly created space will be right at the top of the system so will require most bleeding - ensure your architect factors this activity into their design.

And ask him if he likes films about Gladiators too.

[vetran]

Well, I dont live in that tuliphole London for having the loft converted

Some of us live in 5 bedroom Villas with massive gardens, Dales views, maids and butlers

Just because they wear uniforms it doesn't make them maids. Would of thought the restraints & bars on the windows would be a clue.

The Huntercombe Centre Redbourne, High Street, Redbourne, Gainsborough, North Lincolnshire

looks nice.

[barrydidit]

AFAIK a velux on the rear needs no permission. A velux on the front does. Where that leaves a dormer, I dunno. I'd probably contact the council planning department and ask their views if I were you.

The most important thing to remember is that the radiator in this newly created space will be right at the top of the system so will require most bleeding - ensure your architect factors this activity into their design.

[DimPrawn]

My Polish workmen cost the same as English ones. I have decided not to employ middle aged English ones who don't own their own company as they have a tendency to be lazy tulips with work of a poor standard unless I stand over them.

You standing over a big Polish guy with a large tool in hand....I'm getting the picture here.....

[SueEllen]

Thanks for the good advice.

We're looking to build a dormer at the back (garden facing), overall size is in line with Permitted Development and no part will exceed the existing ridge height. A number of neighbours have already done a similar conversion so its all in keeping with the surroundings. Fire doors will be fitted to all upstairs doors and the downstairs doors leading on to the stairs.

What I'm not clear on is how Building Regs work? Do you have to submit an application to Buildings Regs which they then have to approve? Presumably, they will make reference to the inspection points they require before signing off, is that work it tends to work? I know its variable, but what's the estimated Regs timescale for approval?

thanks again

Your local council should have a website. If you go on it they should tell you how to submit an application with the charges. If not phone them up and ask them. They will say it depends on what you need but will give you a clue.

[unemployed]

lazy tulips with work of a poor standard unless I stand over them.

like this ???