Loft conversion with basics

Doozergirl

Are you sure that you'd have the required 2m of head height at the top of the new stairs in that position?

It's unusual to hit 'lost space' straight from the top of a stair in a loft conversion.

greenface

have a looksy at a neighbours . see how its done and fits . be cheeky and get a ball park from them . ive put a spacesaver odd tread stair/ladder in ours but its classed as a storage room . although sockets / lights / heating and daughter spend their time up there

southcoastrgi

All ready having pp for a room in the loft & getting one could well be two different things, have you looked into whether there is some covernment preventing you from doing a loft conversion

magn8p

@Doozengirl - I checked it after going home yesterday, And I don't think 2mtrs headroom is an issue - but hey, I am not an expert :-) I agree with @Furts, right now it's more of a 2.5 room house than a true 3 bed house and that's exactly why I want to convert the loft and make good use of it.

@Greenface - Our immediate neighbors haven't converted their loft but a lot of the neighbors have done it - attached here is the floor plan from their house sale advert. Thanks for the cost saving idea but if I go ahead with the conversion, I would do it with stairs and joists to make sure I get building regulation certificate.

http://lc.zoocdn.com/9ab450fb494dea8ceb3a9480c393d72456077108.jpg


@Southcostrgi - Thanks for letting me know that. Fortunately, I contacted our local council and they confirmed that I wouldn't be needing a PP if I stick to the sky/Velux windows - and that's exactly what I want to do.

Right now I am working in Cambridge but live about 20 miles away. I thought about it yesterday and if I could convert the loft and rent the house to 3 professionals, it would help me rent a decent sized house in Cambridge - well that's just a plan, not sure how feasible it is.

bmthmark

As others have said, the tricky part you will have to figure out is the location of the stairs.
You need to ensure you have a 1.9m headroom, also the pitch of the stairs need to be considered.
This is to conform to building regs, the main reason being in case of a fire you don't want to be hitting your head as you try to escape (or falling down too steep stairs).

The stairs are just one part you will need to overcome, other things will need to be considered are for example fire doors, windows, insulation, electrics, smoke alarms (downstairs and in loft). You will also need structural engineer reports.

Personally if I would go for the full conversion but would ensure everything is done by the book and you get all the relevant documentation. I hear about people going with cheaper companies that make a 'loft room' but all I see that as is a glorified boarded out loft space.

DRP

magn8p wrote: »

If you can't offer an advice, please mind your business. At least, try not to be rude. Have a good day.

I think Grenage is implying your suggested floor plan is impractical.

Furts

magn8p wrote: »

@Doozengirl - I checked it after going home yesterday, And I don't think 2mtrs headroom is an issue - but hey, I am not an expert :-) I agree with @Furts, right now it's more of a 2.5 room house than a true 3 bed house and that's exactly why I want to convert the loft and make good use of it.

@Greenface - Our immediate neighbors haven't converted their loft but a lot of the neighbors have done it - attached here is the floor plan from their house sale advert. Thanks for the cost saving idea but if I go ahead with the conversion, I would do it with stairs and joists to make sure I get building regulation certificate.

http://lc.zoocdn.com/9ab450fb494dea8ceb3a9480c393d72456077108.jpg


@Southcostrgi - Thanks for letting me know that. Fortunately, I contacted our local council and they confirmed that I wouldn't be needing a PP if I stick to the sky/Velux windows - and that's exactly what I want to do.

Right now I am working in Cambridge but live about 20 miles away. I thought about it yesterday and if I could convert the loft and rent the house to 3 professionals, it would help me rent a decent sized house in Cambridge - well that's just a plan, not sure how feasible it is.

This link is an entirely different layout to that you posted earlier. This one does work, and a key point to study is the stairs. You will see the need for a landing space to get up to the roof, and from this will appreciate you either loose your current bathroom or your current bed 3 - this being the cheaper option in terms of build costs.

I appreciate you have shot down Grenage, but do you really expect tenants to use a conservatory as a social room/hub, when it is likely to be too cold in winter, too hot in summer, and accessed via someones bedroom? The concept, particularly with the latter point, is a non starter to most folks.

magn8p

Thanks for that @Furts.

With regards to using conservatory as social room - I was only trying to take feedback folks like you. And all your points make sense. Thanks again.

magn8p

Furts - I read an old post about light weight tiled roofs instead of glass or poly-carbonate roof for a conservatory.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4086549

Since it is a very old post, I wonder if things have progressed any further? I received 2 quotes today for a 3m x 4m conservatory - one with tiled roof and other polycarbonate roof. The difference is about £3500 (£12,000 vs £15,500) - do you think it's worth it?

We would like to install a conservatory (not for the reasons mentioned before) and your views on this matter would really help. Many thanks.

Hoploz

It sounds as if you need to make a decision on what you actually really want to do with this house. How are the rooms to be used? You need to think hard and then concern yourself with how any improvement would affect the way you use the house. You started out with a cinema room idea, then it was a student let, now a conservatory .... Nobody can advise if you keep changing your mind!