Loft Conversion Cost....

suisidevw

PS, A quick search seems to show that this is because these companies are using private BC and not local authority BC and they interpret the regs differently!

RedFraggle

We also only had a fire door actually into the conversion but had a hard wired smoke alarm system put in. This was also a private BC not LA.
Our smoke alarms are in the hallways not in the rooms.

stebiz

suisidevw wrote: »

PS, A quick search seems to show that this is because these companies are using private BC and not local authority BC and they interpret the regs differently!

I'm in Liverpool and my architect told me to 'expect' BC to ask for a fire escape route - they did. It wasn't private. It was Liverpool City Council. However a lot of this is left to the individual Building Control Depts. It might not be nationwide.

Mine is a traditional Semi with 1930's doors - or was. There are some lovely fire doors now and you no longer need the self closers. Mine are the 6 panel type and look lovely. Here are the regs that specify.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/faqs/dwelling

suisidevw

stebiz wrote: »

I'm in Liverpool and my architect told me to 'expect' BC to ask for a fire escape route - they did. It wasn't private. It was Liverpool City Council. However a lot of this is left to the individual Building Control Depts. It might not be nationwide.

Mine is a traditional Semi with 1930's doors - or was. There are some lovely fire doors now and you no longer need the self closers. Mine are the 6 panel type and look lovely. Here are the regs that specify.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/faqs/dwelling

Very interesting. I guess if the loft conversion is signed off by BC (local authority or private), that is all that is necessary and if I don't have to put in new doors, I think that's positive, in financial and asthetic terms! Our house is red brick, bay 30's too

stebiz

suisidevw wrote: »

Very interesting. I guess if the loft conversion is signed off by BC (local authority or private), that is all that is necessary and if I don't have to put in new doors, I think that's positive, in financial and asthetic terms! Our house is red brick, bay 30's too

Yes,I agree. Personally I can't see the point in having all fire doors. When was the last time you had all your doors closed in the house? Enough said really. We leave ours open so we can hear the kids if they are awake.

suisidevw

Absolutely. Even if they DID have to have auto-closure on they would be propped open!

Will update you as and when I have more information. I have had confirmation back from the company who will complete the rest of the roof as a re-slate for £2.8k. I think this is something we will definitely go ahead with!

One other big thing with the second company is that they do all the roof work/as much loft work as possible without evening coming into the house so the first time they come through will be after the rest of the roof is on and they 'break in' from the loft with the staircase...... definitely a win for a family with 2 little ones!

ruben93watson

Yeah seriously @stebiz. I never really close all the doors and I don't think there are any requirement of fire doors. By the way, I need some professionals for my loft conversion. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

ds1980

Why would you pay the VAT unless youre planning on claiming it back through a company? Just a load of extra cash for nothing. Find someone who isnt VAT registered or willing to include the VAT. Its their problem not yours and it's mental paying it.

5 weeks is about right if they know what theyre doing. No need for the full cover scaffold really. Just added expense especially if youre doing it in fair weather.

Fire doors are needed on any part that would form part of your escape route only, Bathrooms don't need them. BI's dont interpret the regs differently just some are more open to change than others. Once its signed off you can change them all back if you want but why would you? Fire doors can be left open like any other door! The idea is that you'll close them if there happened to be a fire as theyll stop the spread. LA or private BI will want to see these but if you really dont want them get the cheapest you can and then change them after sign off but theyre for your own (and childrens) benefit remember.

good luck

stebiz

ds1980 wrote: »

Why would you pay the VAT unless youre planning on claiming it back through a company? Just a load of extra cash for nothing. Find someone who isnt VAT registered or willing to include the VAT. Its their problem not yours and it's mental paying it.

5 weeks is about right if they know what theyre doing. No need for the full cover scaffold really. Just added expense especially if youre doing it in fair weather.

Fire doors are needed on any part that would form part of your escape route only, Bathrooms don't need them. BI's dont interpret the regs differently just some are more open to change than others. Once its signed off you can change them all back if you want but why would you? Fire doors can be left open like any other door! The idea is that you'll close them if there happened to be a fire as theyll stop the spread. LA or private BI will want to see these but if you really dont want them get the cheapest you can and then change them after sign off but theyre for your own (and childrens) benefit remember.

good luck

Most reputable builders of larger jobs ie Loft Conversions, are VAT registered.

You can never know what the weather is going to be like in this country.

Fire doors no longer have to be self closing - you're a few years behind on this.

Doozergirl

stebiz wrote: »

Most reputable builders of larger jobs ie Loft Conversions, are VAT registered.

You can never know what the weather is going to be like in this country.

Fire doors no longer have to be self closing - you're a few years behind on this.

Absolutely agree with you. If a loft conversion/extension costs £40k and takes five weeks, what on earth could the builder be doing for the remaining 42 weeks of the year that would take them over the Vat threshold.

OP, I have only just seen your thread but the price to me sounds sensible when you consider that you are not only converting your loft, but extending it and inserting an ensuite.