Loft conversion plans

[Stevie5tapes]

Hi all, I am thinking of having a loft conversion. Had a chap around tonight who is a competent builder and specialises in loft conversions. The conversion we want is straight forward. Bedroom with en-suite, no major structural work to the roof just joists strengthening. I asked the builder about plans and his reply was that we dont need any plans. Just building regs. He said he would calculate all the joist sizes.

Is it correct that you dont need plans as such? I'm a little confused as I had a quote from a architect but the builder has said we dont need plans.

Can anyone help?

Many thanks.

 

[DevilDamo]

I think your builder means you don't need planning permission.

You will require building regulation approval and the building control department will require plans in one way or another, whether it be as existing and as proposed layouts or full blown working drawings with specifications and details.

Some competent builders will proceed without the need for full working drawings but on a loft conversion, I'd advise to have some drawn up because there will be things the builder will miss or even worse... will not price/account for and thus leaving you with an incomplete loft conversion.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The conversion we want is straight forward.

no major structural work to the roof

That'll be a first then! Is your builder also a qualified Structural Engineer? You can proceed without drawings but I've never done a lofty that didn't need some steel somewhere. You can do loftys without a set of drawings although hard to see how an SE can be avoided at least, also your builders competence aside, the drawings can form the basis of a contract, without them you'll not know what's included and what isn't. If you implicitly trust your builder well go for it but you have been warned ..........