loft conversion

Legacy_user

Hi, I am looking for some advice.We are looking at having the attic space converted into a bedroom for my son .We apparently have a trussed roof.Some builders have come and said we need a structural engineer whilst another has said that altering the roof is no problem at all! I am obviously concerned about my roof.Can anybody help .Do we need to follow building regulations etc?

System

You will need an engineers structural report depending if boungalow or house and type of trussed roof,

System

im not quite clued up on this sort of stuff but i know that it has to comply with the building regulations...a house my parents have just bought had a loft coversion..but because it had fold away stairs it was deemed unfit for bedroom use. a proper staircase is needed.
a strucural engineer would be advisable

divadee

I agree with the above posts. Get a structual engineer better to be safe than sorry. ALso call up your local building regs dept and start the ball rolling they normally come out at the beginning of the project, half way through and at the end to sign it off and then you get your certificate.

I cant remember how much building regs cost but they should send you the form with all the amounts on it. I think it is about £100

HTH ;D

houseboy

Hi,
You will need both planning permission and buiding control aprovals if going by the book.
It is better in the long run to get these permissions due to serious problems when selling on your property.
Building control will ask for a srtuctural engineers design certificate for the alterations but this does not have to cost a the earth.

System

Kerry,

I am in the process of getting a loft converted so I have swotted up on this.

Planning Permission
Not always required. Every house has a permitted development level. Our loft doesnt require planning permission and many others dont either.

Building Regulations
Yes this is required. Usually the loft company or architect can serve notice here.

Architect
We have decided to go with an architect. The cost is £500 to £750 but they offer independent advice and take your views into account with the design. I just felt loft companies were not sensitive enough to our own ideas. Once our drawings are completed I will look for a quote.

The architect will do all the drawings and calculations as well as give you a ball park figure of the total cost.

As part of the architect's work is the survey. Even on the first visit, which is free they can tell you more about your roof type.

divadee

Just had a thought regarding architects fees there is a special week in the year (not sure when) when you can get arcitects advice etc... for about £20 an hour (normally £50+)

The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)can help ClickHere for their website.

HTH ;D

Chris_Powell

Just a point to remember regarding the loft space- an engineer will give you advice on how the room will change the intended use of the space i.e. if there will now be a larger load on the roof then you may need to have structual changes to the roof to make it suitable for it's new use
I know some people will say their is no problems with doing it but it will be different for every house and only an expert will be able to assess the impact

nikip21

we are having this done at the moment, please do get an engineer. we were led to belive by our architecht that we did not need one, but building regs say we do our work has now come to a stand still till it is sorted.
re building reg fees £125 on submission of plans
£300 on completion yes this is on top of your planning permisson fee of £65
i hope this helps you.

towseriv

Is there any point were an existing loft conversion will be classed as such without regulation? i.e. if it has been like that foe x number of years?

jackieb

We had ours converted about 7 years ago. We needed a structural engineer and building consent. We didn't need planning permission but we did need to submit plans to the council. The floor needed strengthening and the roof ties were changed. We had to have self-closing fire doors fitted on our bedrooms and livingroom. We had to have a fire escape velux window (we have 2 windows, only one needed to be fire escape). The stairs have to be a certain width and depth (they're just like nornal stairs, not steep or narrow). We also had to have interconnecting smoke alarms on all 3 floors. I know some people who've got it done but said it was for storage (but used it as a bedroom anyway). They can't class it as a bedroom when they come to sell. We can. You'll get a completion certificate at the end of it. You also have to remember to tell your house insurers that you have an extra bedroom.

It was definately worth doing though. It gives me peace of mind knowing we have all the fire precautions done properly.

Edited to add: Just noticed this thread is ancient.