loft conversion confused

frenchbird1

We want to have our loft converted (hip to gable+back dormer). It seems that no planning permission is required. I have had 2 quotes from architects for plans and structural calcs. The builder I'm planning to go with mentioned a structural engineer who could help. Would I then need an architect or can a structural engineer do all the plans? I find all this very confusing.

teneighty

Usually the "architect" does the floor plans, elevations, construction details etc. so the builder has plans to follow.

The structural engineer usually does the calculations for any steel beams or more complex structural elements. Although some rare structural engineers do the architectural drawings as well but that is quite unusual and I would stick to the traditional specialities.

I assume the "architects" who have included structural calcs in their fee quotes will sub it out or have someone in the office who can prepare them.

For what you described I would expect £1000 to £1500 for the architectural design and £500 to £750 for the structural calcs.

frenchbird1

Thank you, that makes more sense.

Lungboy

I'd double check that no planning is required for a dormer. I thought that changing the roofline required planning, as opposed to fitting a Velux which wouldn't.

Doozergirl

Lungboy wrote: »

I'd double check that no planning is required for a dormer. I thought that changing the roofline required planning, as opposed to fitting a Velux which wouldn't.

Nope. There are some requirements on height and width (eg. It has to step back off eaves iirc), but they are PD.

As long as PD rights are in place