Loft Conversion Advice

[NHW]

I am considering a loft conversion in my property but having read as much information and articles online as i can, I am still in a position on deciding where to start and how to go about it.

Some of the conflicting issues i have come across are:

1. Do i need an architect? i have read that the simpler the build then the less requirement there is for an architect and that an architectual engineer will suffice.

2. Are 'loft conversion specialists' the best route or is it better to find your own tradesmen? in the case of a 1 bedroom + ensuite scenario i assume you will need an architect/engineer, joiner + plasterer, plumber, electrician?

3. how do you find decent tradesmen? to be honest i have tried mybuilder, trustedpeople etc and some have been good but some have been quite lax in the quality of the finished work. Do you need to draw up a contract in what work should be done and the quality of the work beforehand?

Finally, i believe that in order to classify the new loft as an additional bedroom you have to adhere to some rules? e.g. has to be a staircase leading upto the loft in order to classify it as a 'room'.

Sorry for all the questions, I have tried looking throughout the forums on loft conversion topics but each house is different and i couldnt gauge on the answers which i was looking for.

Thanks in advance to those who are able to offer any advice.

P.S. if anybody can vouch for a company/people who carry out loft conversions in the Greater Manchester area be sure to let me know

 

[mikeey84]

Hi, not done one myself, but having read plenty about them, here are my opinions...

1) I think you are right, an architectual engineer (i think they are normally called technicians) would suffice for a basic build, but you would need a structural engineer for calculations relating to joist loading.

2) Specialists would be less stress (theoretically) but could be more expensive

3) There is no easy answer to that question. Recommendations from friends/neighbors where you can see the quality of the finished work is usually the best route

Your final question is the most important one. When converting a loft, you need to ensure compliance to

Part A – Structure
• Part B – Fire Safety
• Part F – Ventilation
• Part K – Protection from falling, collision & impact
• Part L1 – Conservation of fuel & power

of the Building Regs. These are not trivial rules, and you will require inspections from the local BCO to ensure you are complying, or you may encounter issues when you come to sell your house, not to mention making any loft room a potential death trap.

I am sure someone who knows a lot more about such things will come and give any more details you require, but a loft conversion is not a simple thing to do!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Read my post in this thread: //www.diynot.com/forums/building/loft-question.334080/#2486177

Avoid 'loft conversion specialist' they are more often than not far from specialists, use their won inspectors and consequently end up doing crap work for a lot of wonga.

Get a good set of drawings together and choose a good builder who has done some lofts before. Choosing a good builder is by far the most important thing you need to do. This thread maybe useful: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224309&start=0 there are others.

 

[NHW]

Thanks for your responses, i just thought i'd go up into the loft to take some measurements because if there isnt enough space up there in the first place then theres not much point going any further really lol

Untitled

• NHW
• 25 Jun 2014
• 1

From apex to ceiling joist it is 230cm, width 460cm and depth 840cm.

do you guys think that will will be adequate?

im about 5ft 8 and when i went into the loft it seemed like there was plenty of headroom but putting personal preference aside i remember reading somewhere that the minimum needed was about 2.3m? im guessing that i'd just be on the borderline to meet the legal requirements?

Thanks again

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Believe it or not there is no minimum headroom for lofts or for any other rooms in a house for that matter, only over the loft stair which needs to be 1.9m. You will have to get a stair in too of course which can be fun.

Is that 2.3m to the top of the ridge board or the underside? I have assumed it is to the underside of the ridge board. Now 2.3m once you take off a bit at the top for insulation etc and take of some space at floor level is gonna leave you with sweet FA, ordinarily you would add a structural floor on top of your existing ceiling joists, with some good design though it may be possible to get this structural floor depth submerged into the depth of your existing floor joists which should help with your head height a little. But whether you have enough space to make a conversion practical or not would need to be determined. I would estimate that if you (or you Designer & your Structural Engineer) applied some good design to how the floor worked you may get away with 2.1m from finished floor to underside of ridge. As mentioned there is no minimum ceiling height but if you ended up with 2.1m this will inevitably put some buyers off down the line but then as a bedroom for a teenager it may not be such an issue. Realistically you are probably going to have to consider a dormer too if you want to be able to stand anywhere but immediately under the ridge. It is possible to lower the ceiling of the floor below but this is rarely practical.

 

[tony1851]

Avoid 'loft conversion specialist' they are more often than not far from specialists, use their own inspectors

Oh, you mean they use those ever-so-helpful bods fom the council??

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Avoid 'loft conversion specialist' they are more often than not far from specialists, use their own inspectors

Oh, you mean they use those ever-so-helpful bods fom the council??

tony, I can't help it if when you send your plan applications in you get 3 A4's of conditions! You know you're supposed to put the information on the drawings, not the other way round!