Roof Replacement Advice (adding a Dormer & Hip to Gable conversion now)

RizB

Hi there,

First post so apologies if I'm in the wrong section...or on the wrong website .

I'm always going back and forth between whether or not I want a loft extension. Right now, I can't afford it so the answer is simple (part of that is also down to the fact that there's a lack of height in the loft and it's very possible I'd have to bring my ceilings down).

However, my roof is going to have to be re-laid soon (I would also take this opportunity to remove the chimney stack that is still present in the loft and put in some windows). I don't want to relay the roof only to decide I want to go ahead with a loft extension 5-10 years later.

My house is an end terraced and the tiled roof slopes from all three sides.

Is it possible to have the slope at the end converted to a wall ("hip to gable" apparently! ) and a dormer put at the back now...but then do all the other things that would make it a loft room (e.g. steel bars under the new floor and stair case) done at a later time (if such a time ever arrives)?

Are there any issues with doing it this way? Does it become more difficult, for example, to put in the steel bars this way?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

mart.vader

"Is it possible to have the slope at the end converted to a wall ("hip to gable" apparently! ) and a dormer put at the back"

Yes, anything is possible if you are prepared to spend enough money on it.

. . . "but then do all the other things that would make it a loft room (e.g. steel bars under the new floor and stair case) done at a later time (if such a time ever arrives)?"

This is the opposite way to the way that most people do it.

"Are there any issues with doing it this way? Does it become more difficult, for example, to put in the steel bars this way? "

Yes, much more difficult

The Buildings Surveyor will not Pass it, if you do it this way round. You would be doing a loft conversion and then adding the steel supports and staircase for it later.

jamesdaly

How old is your house.. you may need an asbestos survey?

RizB

mart.vader,

Thanks for the info. Probably just get the roof re-laid then and just use it as a store room (can't use it as that at this moment in time as the roof isn't even lined).