DIY Loft Conversion

Gizmosmum_2

We've just had plans drawn up for converting the loft in our bunglaow. We're planning to increase the height of the walls by 1 metre and add 2 new gables to one side of the house to provide picture windows for the view.

We're project managing ourselves but getting professionals in for building and roofing work.

Has anyone else been through a similar experience? How long did it take and how much? I've got 15k to get it to wind and watertight stage will that be enough??

cyclonebri1

Gizmosmum wrote: »

We've just had plans drawn up for converting the loft in our bunglaow. We're planning to increase the height of the walls by 1 metre and add 2 new gables to one side of the house to provide picture windows for the view.

We're project managing ourselves but getting professionals in for building and roofing work.

Has anyone else been through a similar experience? How long did it take and how much? I've got 15k to get it to wind and watertight stage will that be enough??

I would say so, not super clear on your description, but would still say yes.

Another 3k should see the internals in, exc fittings.

Any dormers? Quite expensive but the best money you will spend. Make it maintenance free, a big plus, ie, plastic, vertical tiling etc.

If project managing yourselves, be very carefull as to what each guy/con..... is quoting for.

Just make sure you keep them tied down to keeping it watertight at ALL times, .

£/4 weeks for the externals

Gizmosmum_2

Thanks for that - any suggestions for disguising the extra metre on the external walls?? Someone has suggested wood but I'm not sure. We live on the coast so apparently normal render isn't an option but have been recommended a polymer render ... v expensive though ....:(

cyclonebri1

What is the existing finish?

Also the scafolding is going to cost you over a grand which I think may push the total to about 18K, but obviously only you know the size/design.

alanobrien

Not sure on the scope of work, but if that includes removing the existing roof etc i would be amazed if it was enough. I know costs can be area dependant but that sort of work would be more like 25k here.

I would get a couple of quotes just to be sure your in the right ball park.

cyclonebri1

alanobrien wrote: »

Not sure on the scope of work, but if that includes removing the existing roof etc i would be amazed if it was enough. I know costs can be area dependant but that sort of work would be more like 25k here.

I would get a couple of quotes just to be sure your in the right ball park.

Sounds like roof off, build 2 higher gable end walls, install 2 dormers and reroof. I'll revise to £22K , not incuding interior plasterboard etc. As above quotes cost nothing, but choose carefully:eek:

And in answer to your other question op, vertical tiling on the gable ends to match the new roof would be the nicest and most maintenance free solution.

iamana1ias

Gizmosmum wrote: »

We're project managing ourselves but getting professionals in for building and roofing work.

Which bit of it is DIY?

cyclonebri1

Hi, have to post again as this one has me intrigued, been sat here thinking how I would approach it.

As I see it;

The builder must strengthen the existing loft floor as per the passed plans, essential as next,

The existing roof has to be suspended on new timber temporalily as the purlins, the main supports for the roof will need shortening or cutting at some stage to allow the brickwork to continue upwards. If they don't retain the majority of the old roof, I can't see how there can be any guarantee of keeping the weather out.

Finally build the new purlins over the old roof and with a healthy weather forcast rip the old out and reroof over, or even vice versa if the weather is totally crap.

You need to get a "method statement" from the builder, ie, make him explain exactly how he intends to tackle the project, if you are not happy go on to the next.

ormus

you better make sure you can get PP first. dormers are generally ok, but raising walls by 1 metre is very rare. rasing the roof line is virtually impossible.
next problem is the footings?
adding that sort of weight to the walls, the PP dept will want an inspection trench digging. and if the footings are not good enough, you can add big money for underpinning.

downshifted

I'm really interested in this thread - we move into a detached bungalow in a couple of weeks and have noticed that some of the neighbours have had loft conversion. We would only need a dormer at the back, I think, that's what the others have got.

Is there a good website or blog anyone knows of that sets out the things to take into account?

Gizmosmum_2

A big thanks for all of the comments so far ... I hadn't thought about tiles to disguise the added metre, well worth thinking about. Our bungalow (soon to be a bungahigh or howlow not sure which:)) is made of calsil bricks, cheap and nasty but typical of the 60's when the property was built.

Hopefully this post will make things a bit clearer - first of all the planners have already indicated that they are fine with raising the bungalow a metre and although they didn't like our suggestion of a velux roof terrace on the front they suggested that we create a new gable on the front to give us the view that we're after. Of course now they've suggested that we've decided we want 2 new gables one at the front and one at the back. Couldn't do a dormer and get the same amount of space because we've only got 2 metres headroom at the peak.

The roof is coming off completely so that the whole bungalow can be raised one metre so it made sense to have the new gables built at the same time. We've got concrete tiles that are over 50 years old and approaching the end of their life so I don't feel so bad about replacing them, although if things get v tight I may re-use some on the back of the bungalow. Thinking about getting scafolding with tarpaulin over and round it for when the roof is off - we don't get summer in Cumbria!!

Finally, there is quite a lot of DIY to do and we're hoping to save a few quid by labouring for the roofer and builder and doing our own tiling, flooring, decorating plumbing and electrics - the latter signed off by the professionals when it's all sorted.