Attic Conversion

Jemma1984

We recently bought a house with long term plans to eventually convert the attic, most of the other houses including next door have already been done so assuming it can be done.
The attic already has had sky lights fitted and the sale included a staircase which is now sat in the garage taking up a lot of room.
Would anyone know if we could just get the stairs installed and continue to use the space as an attic until a later date as we don't really need a bedroom but will in future to sell? Do we need permission? Not quite sure what to do first!

martinsurrey

before you put the stiars in, you'll need to get the new floor level for the loft post conversion (so the stairs come up to the right place).

for that you'll need plans drawn up for building regs approval, these will involve a structural engineer to design the loads correctly.

I would say the minimum amount of work to get the stairs in properly is:

1) Structural plans drawn up.
2) Building regulations approval of 1)
3) Implementation of the loft floor support as designed by 1)
4) Instalation of stairs

the rest can wait for yuo to be ready

BobQ

What others have done may give an indication but you should not have relied on that since not all houses are the same. Some are easier to convert than others.

Depending on where the house is, you may need planning permission. But you will need local authority building regulation approval for some work (eg a dormer window) and for any use as a bedroom.

Installing a staircase to a storeroom is not much of a problem but once you use it as a bedroom, headroom, type of stairs, fire regulation all come into play so best to get this right. Similarly it will be affected by what you plan to store (weight, type of material)

I would consult an architect and ask him to produce a plan that meets your longer term goal.

Londoner_1

Yes you can use teh attic as a spare room but DO NOT load with heavy items as you dont know what the level of support is under floor.

It seems the house may have a attic partially done or not done properly, when you bought the house was the attic described as a loft room or a bedroom.?

If a loft room then you can only use it for storage or a spare room and not a bedroom as it does not comply with full build regs. If you want to place heavy items and create a bathroom then it may not have the steel beams to support the load.

JP08

The bit about heavy loads makes sense.

But for 'normal' attic joists, just what does constitute a heavy load ? - obviously they can take a concentrated load bordering on the 100kg - otherwise people would be falling through the ceiling due to failed joists on a regular basis - as opposed to missing said joist when taking a step.

For example, my loft has some old floorboards about four inches apart laid across the joists, then a chipboard floor laid over them (so no cuts in the joists for power cables). This means any load is spread quite far (3 joists or so at a guess), despite the extra weight of flooring. So if one joist can take a 100kg, just what could be put up there on, say a shelving unit 10' long with multiple (6 or 8) legs running perpendicular to the joist direction (ie not all loading one or two joists).

I'm guessing a good couple of hundred kilos even allowing for being able to stand near the shelves to get stuff off them - not that it's loaded to that extent at present ...

brightontraveller

You can put in stairs or whatever you like without planning etc but it won't be classified as a bedroom which most are wanting to increase sale price etc without all relevant paperwork...

As a rough guide a guide
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/buildingcontrol/guidancenotes
Leaflet 03 - Loft Conversion Advice - for Existing Two Storey Dwelling

size of joist is down to load, type of timber, thickness, spacing, span etc

Leaflet 07 - Domestic Timber Floors - Timber Sizes and Construction Details

System

brightontraveller wrote: »

You can put in stairs or whatever you like without planning etc but it won't be classified as a bedroom which most are wanting to increase sale price etc without all relevant paperwork...

putting an opening for stairs in would normally mean structural alterations - planning might not be interested but building regs definitely would!

brightontraveller

the_r_sole wrote: »

putting an opening for stairs in would normally mean structural alterations - planning might not be interested but building regs definitely would!

You can make any alterations internally nothing to do with anyone( listed building etc slightly different….) Its only when you sell and want something defined as a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen etc that you may have a problem...

martinsurrey

brightontraveller wrote: »

You can make any alterations internally nothing to do with anyone( listed building etc slightly different….) Its only when you sell and want something defined as a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen etc that you may have a problem...

...

so incorrect its unreal.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/responsibilities/buildingregulations/failure

now, how likely they are to find out to take you to court is another matter, but you are 100% wrong.

brightontraveller

martinsurrey wrote: »

...

so incorrect its unreal.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/responsibilities/buildingregulations/failure

now, how likely they are to find out to take you to court is another matter, but you are 100% wrong.

You need to learn the difference ???? Compliance is only relevant if planning /building control etc is required :rotfl:

System

I really hope that you don't dish out that advice often!
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/responsibilities/buildingregulations/approvalneeded/

Altering a roof structure to create an opening for a stair requires approval, it also has knock on implications for fire safety in some circumstances.

You are plain wrong.