Loft conversion/where to start

[jocelyn plummer]

After getting to grips with the house 'that beckoned,' I have given some thought as to how to create some more space and give this house that bit of added value. Our vendors did say that they were contemplating converting the roof space if they had stayed here.

Currently we just have a tiny hatch to access some pretty decent roof space -- stuffed with teeney weeney boxes of bits and bobs!!
'Im indoors says there is plenty of space up there. Good head room and enough for 2 small rooms or one big one. We seem to be the only house in the street without one as far as I can see from the rooflines .Even the remaining 3rd of this terrace has one.

Presumably its building regs, planning consents, etc, and I guess that the staircase and velux (or whatever) skylight would be the biggest expenses. Once that is done we could manage the insulation, stud walls and floor ourselves.

I've noticed that there are companys who say they do the whole thing, from getting planning to completion, but I bet they are really expensive.

If the piggy bank won't stretch that far then I shall have a dedicated garden room which we could take with us if necessary.

I'd love a back of a fag packet guesstimate and where to start. :roll:

 

[Feltwell]

The usual problem I've seen with loft conversions is where to put the staircase so it doesn't compromise the existing space on the first floor. If neighbours have already done theirs, why not chat with them?

Velux rooflights are cheap enough, bit more expensive if you want the conservation type (Velux's own are pretty poor by the way - there's much better ones out there). One of the main expenses can be upgrading the structure to take the floor loadings - the "floor" of your loft space was only built to hold up the ceilings of the rooms below and to stop the roof from forcing the walls out, it wasn't built to take a permanent floor. Chances are it's OK for occasional access but not for laying a floor on for permanent rooms without some kind of strengthening.

Every house is different though and really you'd need to get someone in to assess it and properly calculate what work needs doing to get a proper cost. Building regs are quite demanding for loft conversions, particularly with regards to fire safety. Planning often isn't needed. Listed status or conservation area will make a difference though, if either apply.

Why not speak to the neighbours and found out who did theirs and would they recommend them? It won't cost you anything to get a quote or two.

 

[AMc]

I only read the briefest part of this when it was posted on the Green Building Forum but I would certainly take a look in your boat

http://www.myloftextension.co.uk/

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Thank you! Have got my head around the info on the local government planning portal, and have taken Feltwell's comments on board (!). The loft extension blog is saved and ready to read later this evening.

 

[Stephen]

Jocelyn

The first thing to do is to contact your friendly local-ish surveyor/architect!

 

[Jill]

You also need to ensure that the stairs on the ground floor provide a direct means of escape. We enquired about a loft conversion but as our stairs lead into our front room and not into a hallway it wouldn't have been allowed. The only way round it would have meant blocking up the side of the stairs and putting a doorway at the bottom that lead directly to the outside.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Stephen, I will find a local--ish friendly surveyor/Architect - certainly not that one you encountered at my desparate request all those years ago!!! :wink: If all else fails I know who to contact :wink: :wink:
xx

 

[Penners]

I think my first call would be to an estate agent. Ask him/her to give you an idea of what value the loft conversion would add to the house.

This will give you an idea of how much you could afford to spend on the work while still ending up on the profit side of the exercise.

Yes, you will of course have to jump through all the planning, building and fire regulations hoops. That could take several months before the loft conversion work actually starts. Do you really have the time to do all that if you want to sell in time to buy "the house of your dreams"?

 

[Moo]

Funnily enough, I saw one of those house-porn programmes on the telly only the other day when exactly that point came up. The advice was to get outline plans drawn up and costed so that prospective buyers could see the potential but would be free to put their own stamp on it (what a horrid phrase that is) as and when they were ready to do the conversion.

 

[Penners]

prospective buyers could...put their own stamp on it (what a horrid phrase that is)

To "express their own personalities" I suppose. :x

I do agree with Moo. That idea could get you on to the market a great deal quicker, but still show the full potential of the property to buyers.