cost to add new door/staircase

gemma.zhang

Wondering if anyone knows how much it would be to dig an opening for a new door into a strucural wall, place a lintel, add a door frame and fit a door? We would like to have a rought idea of these costs before getting builders' quotes.

Also we are planning to use the loft space as a walk-in wardrobe so we need to make an opening into the bedroom wall (which is also a masonry wall), add a staircase and create a hatch in the ceiling.

I guess it's not easy to give quotes without seeing the property, but any clue as to how much having all this done would cost would be a huge help.

Thanks

Mecoconuts

gemma.zhang wrote: »

Wondering if anyone knows how much it would be to dig an opening for a new door into a strucural wall, place a lintel, add a door frame and fit a door? We would like to have a rought idea of these costs before getting builders' quotes.

Also we are planning to use the loft space as a walk-in wardrobe so we need to make an opening into the bedroom wall (which is also a masonry wall), add a staircase and create a hatch in the ceiling.

I guess it's not easy to give quotes without seeing the property, but any clue as to how much having all this done would cost would be a huge help.

Thanks

I'm looking at doing roughly the exact same thing.

Basically a loft conversion to use as a room. Making hole in bedroom wall and adding a staircase to the loft.

I reckon VERY roughly it may cost 20 to 25K.

Remember you need planning permission 1st.

To start with .......what i did was to find a house identical to mine in my area which had did the mods to the house already.

Then all you do is go to your local House Planning Website and find the house and download their plans for free (as long the work was done than say 8 years ago).

Then just get your architect to make the adjustments to suit your own saving time & money.

I live in the Edinburgh area here's the info i used to get the plans :

It appears that the local councils keep all planning application drawings online upto roughly 8 years ago and they are FREE to download.

Really useful if i want to rip off someone elses planning drawings and save a fortune getting an architect to do it.

It's also great for just being nosey to see what your neighbours extension, etc is like.

West Lothian Council :
http://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/WAM133/searchsubmit/performOption.do?action=search

Edinburgh Council :
http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/propdb/property/property_searchform.aspx?module=P1
(finding the docs in the Edinburgh site is a bit fiddly but just keep looking for 'Related info' etc. But they ARE there. Use the map it's easier to navigate.)

East Lothian Council :
http://www.planning.eastlothian.gov.uk/WAM/search/pas/index.htm

gemma.zhang

20-25k wwwwa..
That's really expensive.. We are more thinking of DIY, and our's really tiny loft... around 3.5m to 3.5m .. i suppose.. is it worthy to get a planning permission to do a tiny loft conversion if we only intent to use/sell it as a study/wardrobe.. is there any complication of doing it without permission in terms of selling ?

Mecoconuts

Firstly.... To fit your new door in your structural wall you will definately need planning permission.

2nd .....If you plan on using you loft as a room with a fitted staircase then you'll definately need planning permission.

If it's done properly as a loft conversion then effectively you could add an extra room with dormer windows. An architect will tell you straight away if it's possible.

This will add value to your house but whether the cost of doing the conversion and the increase in your house price after it's done is a different issue.

Your cheapest option is to get a good joiner who knows what he's doing and has done loft conversions before and see if he can reposition some of the roof support joists to floor as much space as you can in the attic without comprosing any support to the roof. (NOTE : Technically this is against the law as your supposed to get planning permission but loads of folk do it just to gain extra space.)

You'll also have to find out if the attic floor joists will even take the weight as newer houses were built with leaner joists as they were only required to support the roof.

You can also gain extra space in your loft by getting rid of your water tank by fitting a combi boiler. (Roughly £700 - £1000 depending on work required)

You'll have to use a loft ladder through a hatch and your only really supposed to use the space for storage which is what it will be identified as when you come to sell your house.

If it's done wrongly and the structure isn't safe after it's done you can be fined by your local council.