Loft conversion help

System

what's the difference in the quotes you have?
when you say it includes the building reg/planning fees, you mean that they are paying all the local authority fees?

sunshinetours

As mentioned get other quotes then. The fact that its 10% of your build cost is irrelevant on its own
Most people don't use professional services very often and are often seen on such forums as these as saying - "that seems expensive", "that is more than we wanted to pay", "that is way more than it should be" - usually without any comparison to base such statements.

Please do update as its useful for others

mummyroysof3

ok so i think just for their fee one quoted £700 and one £620...then their are all the building reg fees and planning ones listed seperate. with them both being fairly similar and my step dad whos a builder thinking it sounds about right im not sure i see the point of getting anymore quotes.

mummyroysof3

oh and he said he wont know if we need planning permission untill he has done the survey and measured up as it depends on how much bigger it makes the loft.

System

tbh I don't think either of those prices are outrageous, go for the one you feel most comfortable with

mummyroysof3

Ok so a 3rd says he charges £650 + vat. We deffo don't kneed planning and building reg fees are about £450. His fee includes all calcs visits and drawings. This is a much better quote and he comes highly recommended. Only he won't come out until we tell him the hight of the highest part of roof...so I need to send my husband in the loft

Maquarius

One does not need planning for loft conversions and not for side dormers if they have obscure windows.
Most people will help you with a suitable layout and suggestions for free.

if someone can do it for £650 including calcs etc make sure he is a professional though as that sounds very low.

cpb6542

We had a Loft conversion done 9 years ago and have been very pleased with it. They took the whole roof off and stood the gable end up - meaning a proper set of stairs could be installed directly above the downstairs one. Our Architect applied for a 5 window Dorma, as it's easier to accept lower if refused! We were granted a 3 window one and it makes a huge difference. As we are a semi-detached, we also had the chimney flue removed and have a small en-suite in there - WC, Sink, units and a Shower! Another thing I was very adamant about is that I still needed storage as I was losing the loft space. They took the ceiling down to about hip height and then dropped the wall down from there, giving ample storage in the eaves. Behind the bed would be wasted space any lower anyway and we have a long hinged door behind the bed that lifts up to store tuff crates, Christmas stuff, suitcases, etc. One thing I would say about the Architect was he'd done it in his house and learnt a couple of things he'd do differently from that - so we gained from his trial! Good luck!

cyclonebri1

cpb6542 wrote: »

We had a Loft conversion done 9 years ago and have been very pleased with it. They took the whole roof off and stood the gable end up - meaning a proper set of stairs could be installed directly above the downstairs one. Our Architect applied for a 5 window Dorma, as it's easier to accept lower if refused! We were granted a 3 window one and it makes a huge difference. As we are a semi-detached, we also had the chimney flue removed and have a small en-suite in there - WC, Sink, units and a Shower! Another thing I was very adamant about is that I still needed storage as I was losing the loft space. They took the ceiling down to about hip height and then dropped the wall down from there, giving ample storage in the eaves. Behind the bed would be wasted space any lower anyway and we have a long hinged door behind the bed that lifts up to store tuff crates, Christmas stuff, suitcases, etc. One thing I would say about the Architect was he'd done it in his house and learnt a couple of things he'd do differently from that - so we gained from his trial! Good luck!

So was he an qualified architect or someone who draws plans as detailed earlier?

Way out of date now at 9 yrs on, but what were his charges back then, if he was certified.?