Conversion likely to be possible?

scarletjim

I'm interested in a 4-story house, but if I bought it I'd want to convert the spare bedroom on the 1st floor into a bathroom with shower. Two questions - is planning permission normally a formality for such things, and does it make any difference that it's a new build?

Just for more info, the ground floor is all open plan kitchen / living etc, first floor contains just a second lounge (about 18x13ft) (which I'd make into a bedroom) and a small bedroom (about 11x10ft) half of which I'd want to make into the new bathroom, then second and third floors contain 2 bedrooms each. Because the whole place is fairly compact the room in question can't possibly be very far from the rest of the plumbing (I assume that's any important factor obviously!)

UInfortunately I don't know the first things about such things, but what I do know is that I've been looking for a house in this location for years and this is the nearest I've found yet, so I'm not put off by it not being exactly what I want yet, and I'm prepared to spend some money to make it perfect if I can.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

scarletjim

Oops, one more question, how likely is it that I'd be able to shift the wall of that bedroom back too? I don't need a 11x10ft ensuite! So if I could use say 4x10ft as the ensuite then 'add' the other 7x11ft area to the side of the other room, that would be perfect - I used to assume the a load-bearing wall can't be messed with, but having done some (admittedly extremely basic) research, I see now that is not true. Other considerations - the wall in question doesn't back onto a neighbour's wall obviously, and is an inside wall obviously.

Obviously I wouldn't do any of this myself, just trying to work out what would or wouldn't be possible...

Owain_Moneysaver

scarletjim wrote: »

I'm interested in a 4-story house, but if I bought it I'd want to convert the spare bedroom on the 1st floor into a bathroom with shower. Two questions - is planning permission normally a formality for such things, and does it make any difference that it's a new build?

You would not need planning permission, you would need Building Regulations approval.

Removing the whole wall might be drastic, but you could probably fairly easily put through a door to make it a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe.

In terms of plumbing, what is easily possible depends on which direction your joists run. You will need to get a 4" soil pipe from the new WC to the existing stack, with adequate fall. If you can't do that they you'll need to use a macerator and small-bore pipe. Macerators have their critics.

scarletjim

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

You would not need planning permission, you would need Building Regulations approval. And is that likely to be provided, or is it difficult to obtain?

Removing the whole wall might be drastic, but you could probably fairly easily put through a door to make it a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe. Yes great idea, I don't particularly need to space for the bedroom, just didn't want to waste it in an over-sized bathroom.

In terms of plumbing, what is easily possible depends on which direction your joists run. You will need to get a 4" soil pipe from the new WC to the existing stack, with adequate fall. If you can't do that they you'll need to use a macerator and small-bore pipe. Macerators have their critics. Hmmm, I don't even know what most of that means lol so will have to do some proper research and find out what adequate fall etc means - but at least now I've got a starting point, thanks

Many thanks - have added my thoughts in red above

thedeester1

removing a load bearing wall is possible but at the same time expensive. To do it you need a large RSJ (steel girder) and these are not cheap at the moment as metal prices are high. You shouldnt attempt this your self as the Girder size has to be calulated to spread the load onto the ends of the wall. You really will need architechtural drawings to satisfy the Builings inspector!

My freind did this without the said drawings. The Inspector knocked it back. In the end his girder was well over sized but the Inspector wouldnt pass it till he saw the proof on paper. He managed to get drawings after the fact though which made it all good.

Owain_Moneysaver

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

You would not need planning permission, you would need Building Regulations approval.

In terms of plumbing, what is easily possible depends on which direction your joists run. You will need to get a 4" soil pipe from the new WC to the existing stack, with adequate fall. If you can't do that they you'll need to use a macerator and small-bore pipe. Macerators have their critics.

scarletjim wrote: »

Many thanks - have added my thoughts in red above

Building Regulations approval is not discretionary - you demonstrate to the council that your alterations comply with Building Regs, they give you the certificate. Eg - your WC room must have adequate ventilation (probably an extractor fan nowadays), drains must be laid properly, sound insulation between the WC room and room next door so the noise of plop-plops doesn't travel embarrassingly far, etc.

The pipe from the WC to the main drain must slope in the right direction - water runs downhill. If it doesn't slope enough the waste won't run away, if it slopes too much the water will run away too fast leaving the 'solids' behind.