Guess the cost of the roof terrace - cash prizes to be won!

[Thywillbedone]

Just kidding about the prizes, sorry! I was looking for some educated guesses as to how much a flat roof terrace would cost to build on the (currently) sloping roof off the back of my property. Some info:

- my flat is top two storeys of a three storey building (converted attic is my top floor)
- the roof in question is over a bedroom and bathroom...room is approx 12ft x 11ft
- the walls of the building at the back are of yellow brick...i imagine building up two of the walls is the easiest way to do this by getting a level surface and I would use similar old bricks rather than new brick
- terrace would overlook some small gardens but there are other terraces on the street
- Property is in NW6, London

I am looking for a steer on what cost range I might expect on this. I want to do the job properly and make the thing bulletproof...as such, I imagine I will need a structural engineer and architect plus builder with roof terrace building experience.

My questions:

- rough price range for all of the work including professional fees and planning
- any recommendations (if allowed on this website) for builders as I have searched online with no luck
- would a steel frame be required? I don't plan on putting heavy plants etc on the terrace and as such thought that maybe extra wooden joists would work
- is outside scaffolding required (if so, I would need to get access from my downstairs neighbour
- rough time to actually build the terrace

ps: one of the pics is of a neighbours hse to the left of my property...included it to show more of the scope of work required

Thanks in advance!

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• Thywillbedone
• 7 Oct 2011
• 1

Untitled

• Thywillbedone
• 7 Oct 2011
• 1

Untitled

• Thywillbedone
• 7 Oct 2011
• 1

Untitled

• Thywillbedone
• 7 Oct 2011
• 1

 

[joe-90]

Do you have planning permission?

 

[Thywillbedone]

No, I don't have planning. I assume i need architects drawings etc for that. I am at the very early stage of wondering whether I can afford everything.

Tks

 

[joe-90]

You'd do better to run your ideas past your planning department. If they start to laugh you won't waste time on it.

 

[Thywillbedone]

That would be my next step. Is there any reason they would laugh? A similar property has been done like this a few doors away.

I just want to know whether this is a £10k job or a £20k job or whatever. Having no experience of the planning department I don't want to go to them with a half baked proposal...or can I submit a few pictures to them and ask for their view informally?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

£15-20K so many variables and information lacking though so it could be half or double those figures really so make it £7-£40K eg does it need 5m of handrails @£250/m or 15m of glass handrails @ £1000/m? etc Party Wall Acts involved? Just one or several etc etc.

Need to employ a local small works QS for a couple of hours!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Ring the planners and see if you can get an appointment with the duty officer, take some photos, a location plan off goggle maps etc, plenty of info, look on the local planning online register for similar recent similar developments, if you get a meeting take your laptop along to save printing it all off.

 

[Thywillbedone]

Thanks Freddy, thats helpful...I will go that route.

Based on those prices steel handrails i think!! I realise the question is very open...just wanted a ballpark figure for a simple terrace, steel railings with good quality materials covered with a timber decking. I don't want to overinvest in the project and not get the value add if i go to sell.

Thy

 

[peterperfection]

Set a few 'k' aside for bribes too !!

 

[Thywillbedone]

Hadn't thought of that - is there a special handshake system in place so I will know?!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Not for the likes of you!












Or me!

 

[peterperfection]

Hadn't thought of that - is there a special handshake system in place so I will know?!

Either 'on the square' handshake
or crossing his/her palm with silver. ('gypsum' thing)

 

[hotrod]

£15-20K so many variables and information lacking though so it could be half or double those figures really so make it £7-£40K eg does it need 5m of handrails @£250/m or 15m of glass handrails @ £1000/m? etc Party Wall Acts involved? Just one or several etc etc.

Very true. I was reading the apartments at One Hyde Park have been achieving £6k per foot². Whereas a "normal" construction cost banded around is what £1-1.2k per m². I know that's an extreme example but that's a multiple of over 60 !

Just shows without a specification and location you may as well stick your finger in the air.