Loft coversion asked to be paid by bacs

Silver-Surfer_2

From their site.

As the industry’s leading loft storage experts, we have, over many years developed our own unique and specifically tailored method of installing flooring.

Ecoloft Flooring
The Ecoloft flooring system is built around your existing ceiling joists, this creating a very strong floor capable of withstanding almost any weight. This system also helps to resolve any bow that may have developed within your ceilings as this creates extra strength and pulls the ceiling joists back to their original sitting. This can be of a particular benefit in older properties.

You've got a storage space, I'd guess it won't pass building regs for a future conversion. They sell themselves a loft storage company not a conversion company.

bmthmark

Sorry to hear the trouble you are having.

Personally I would look in to paying the extra £300 to get it signed off by building control. In the grand scheme of things £300 is only a small drop in the ocean compared to the £5k. But I would not pay anything until its been signed off, I would make that clear to the company.
Also it would need to be an external company that signs off the building regs, I would need to know the name of the company to ensure they are legit and not just a mate of the builder.

For reference I have recently had a loft conversion and I had to instruct building control to inspect during different stages of the build. Basically at the beginning, part way through and at the end.
They before sign off they also wanted to see the structural engineers report.
As already mentioned building control are looking at head height on stairs, safe escape routes (e.g window that fully opens), smoke alarms, fire doors, insulation (they are hot on this atm) etc etc.
So when you come to do a full loft conversion make sure you research lots (like I did).
At the end of the full build you will get a certificate stating that it complies with the current regs.

Silver-Surfer_2

bmthmark wrote: »

Sorry to hear the trouble you are having.

Personally I would look in to paying the extra £300 to get it signed off by building control. In the grand scheme of things £300 is only a small drop in the ocean compared to the £5k. But I would not pay anything until its been signed off, I would make that clear to the company.
Also it would need to be an external company that signs off the building regs, I would need to know the name of the company to ensure they are legit and not just a mate of the builder.

For reference I have recently had a loft conversion and I had to instruct building control to inspect during different stages of the build. Basically at the beginning, part way through and at the end.
They before sign off they also wanted to see the structural engineers report.
As already mentioned building control are looking at head height on stairs, safe escape routes (e.g window that fully opens), smoke alarms, fire doors, insulation (they are hot on this atm) etc etc.
So when you come to do a full loft conversion make sure you research lots (like I did).
At the end of the full build you will get a certificate stating that it complies with the current regs.

All good point however this is what he's gone for.

http://eco-lofts.co.uk

sean9461

They aren't just a loft storage company they do full conversions it says that on their homepage.

I have structural flooring I think he explained it was cross braced?

Verbal contract was for structural flooring suitable for loft conversion standard if it isn't that then work hasn't been completed

I also don't have the standard package I have a custom delux package

Furts

In a nutshell you are being given bad advice in posts above.

You cannot compare your work with somebody who has boarded out their loft for storage. First, most loft boarding is to a poor standard and does not meet any concept of good practice. Second, you should have sought design work, and submitted that for Buildings Regulations. Third, you should withold payment because your chosen company is sailing close to the wind, and telling you lies. They cannot self certify their work, with regards the Regulations. Equally an Inspector could, and should, have inspected the work whilst they were at your home.

The bottom line is to look at their website. A child could do a better job here and it shouts "Cowboys". Here I will give you a clue - if you go into "About Us" you will see they refer to their "militant" workforce. Obviously a company to be avoided at all costs.

You owe them money because they have done work for you. Contact their MD, or whoever is the complaints/customer service person, and enter dialogue and negotiation to try to get this sorted.

You have been a complete fool to yourself to get into this situation so go forward and make amends. Best of luck here.

bmthmark

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

All good point however this is what he's gone for.

http://eco-lofts.co.uk

Oh sorry missed that. Am I correct in assuming they just board out your loft space?
Its very misleading as the title of the webpage says 'Standard loft conversion for storage from £750"

Silver-Surfer_2

Furts wrote: »

In a nutshell you are being given bad advice in posts above.

You cannot compare your work with somebody who has boarded out their loft for storage. First, most loft boarding is to a poor standard and does not meet any concept of good practice. Second, you should have sought design work, and submitted that for Buildings Regulations. Third, you should withold payment because your chosen company is sailing close to the wind, and telling you lies. They cannot self certify their work, with regards the Regulations. Equally an Inspector could, and should, have inspected the work whilst they were at your home.

The bottom line is to look at their website. A child could do a better job here and it shouts "Cowboys". Here I will give you a clue - if you go into "About Us" you will see they refer to their "militant" workforce. Obviously a company to be avoided at all costs.

You owe them money because they have done work for you. Contact their MD, or whoever is the complaints/customer service person, and enter dialogue and negotiation to try to get this sorted.

You have been a complete fool to yourself to get into this situation so go forward and make amends. Best of luck here.

Go on then nail your colours to the mast.

What's he legally got, a storage space or a loft conversion?

sean9461

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Go on then nail your colours to the mast.

What's he legally got, a storage space or a loft conversion?

What do you define as a loft "CONVERSION". As I have everything that would be a loft conversion other than a complete fixed staircase and a window. Everything else, boarded, insulated eaves, structural floors. Where's the line?

It's not like this costs 1 grand. The full setup is 5600

System

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Go on then nail your colours to the mast.

What's he legally got, a storage space or a loft conversion?

A mess!!

Doesn't matter on the definition of the space at all, the problem is there have been structural alterations carried out without permission - even formation of storage requires building reg approval when it involves altering the existing structure

sean9461

the_r_sole wrote: »

A mess!!

Doesn't matter on the definition of the space at all, the problem is there have been structural alterations carried out without permission - even formation of storage requires building reg approval when it involves altering the existing structure

That's what I thought, I must say I have have them permission however they told me these beams were not structural support and they were just "originally put there whilst Perlins were screwed in. However after Perlins are up they aren't needed and all can come out"

Their structural engineer said everything will be structurally stable and they would put in an extra structural post.

I gave permission and agreed based on their structural engineer expert saying that because these aren't weight bearing support beams building control isn't needed