What makes a loft 'habitable'?

sevenhills

What makes a loft 'habitable'?

I had a quote for a loft a couple of days ago, from £5,000 to £29,000; it wasn't made clear which things would make it 'inhabitable'.

He said about roof height, which could be bypassed by measuring the 2m height by measuring from the stairs into the loft.
My loft hatch is in a cupboard, with another cupboard containing my boiler. The boiler would be moved into the loft, leaving space for the stairs. Although this space is only 6ft long, he talked about a staircase that turned and pull-up stairs.
The £8,170 quote mentioned 'fallo ladder' (cannot read his writing); but its not stairs.
My loft is 25 sqm, measured in a little, from the beams.

I am getting things clear in my mind of what I want, stairs, chimney removal, 4 electric double points, boiler moving into loft, large window.
Has anyone had this done, with a cost breakdown?

The height from the floor to the bottom of the loft is about 7' 5"

Doozergirl

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/36/loft_conversion/3

Several pages of the official guidance for you there and the areas that need to be covered.

A proper safe and habitable loft conversion would usually cost in excess of £20,000 on even a modest house.

magn8p

I echo Doozergirl's views. You are looking at a minimum of £1000 per Sq.mtr for a decent loft conversion. If you need to fit dormers windows you need to speak to the council.

But no matter what you need to get your building regulations approval prior start of work and their sign off after the after the work. They will make sure that your rafters (wooden beams that support your roof) and floor joists (wooden beams that support your floor) aren't compromised in the process. Of course they also look into host of other things like minimum height, ventilation, etc.,

The guy who quoted you £5000 is trying to make a quick buck, this will cause a lot of distress in the future and bringing the shoddy work up to the building regulations is a nightmare.

All the best.

Warwick_Hunt

So at the minute you’ve a quote for 8 grand to board you loft and fit a ladder.

sevenhills

Warwick_Hunt wrote: »

So at the minute you’ve a quote for 8 grand to board you loft and fit a ladder.

The actual written quote mentions 1 Velux, 4 double electrical sockets, 4 down lights, ladder and cupboards.
More was mentioned, like moving the boilers in to the loft, this allowing room for the stairs - but that is not written down. Its not written down anywhere. Moving the chimney is stated as an extra, £450 +VAT
I did search for the price of a staircase, £2/500

Warwick_Hunt

sevenhills wrote: »

The actual written quote mentions 1 Velux, 4 double electrical sockets, 4 down lights, ladder and cupboards.
More was mentioned, like moving the boilers in to the loft, this allowing room for the stairs - but that is not written down. Its not written down anywhere. Moving the chimney is stated as an extra, £450 +VAT
I did search for the price of a staircase, £2/500

So it's a boarded loft with windows and sockets.

Doozergirl

sevenhills wrote: »

The actual written quote mentions 1 Velux, 4 double electrical sockets, 4 down lights, ladder and cupboards.
More was mentioned, like moving the boilers in to the loft, this allowing room for the stairs - but that is not written down. Its not written down anywhere. Moving the chimney is stated as an extra, £450 +VAT
I did search for the price of a staircase, £2/500

That is not a loft conversion. As above, it is a boarded loft with windows and sockets.

Did you read the link I gave you and the pages after? Do you understand it? I was expecting more questions after that.

What kind of staircase did you price up?

magn8p

Before you proceed with the conversion, why don't you ask the builder who quoted the least if he is happy for you to approach Building Regulations before starting with work to inspect the possibilities of the conversion (which is a must) - I bet he is going to circumvent the question and will try to convince you not to do that.

Once again, try not to take any shortcuts when it comes critical stuff like your loft.

Doozergirl

magn8p wrote: »

Before you proceed with the conversion, why don't you ask the builder who quoted the least if he is happy for you to approach Building Regulations before starting with work to inspect the possibilities of the conversion (which is a must) - I bet he is going to circumvent the question and will try to convince you not to do that.

Once again, try not to take any shortcuts when it comes critical stuff like your loft.

The OP has a quote from Eco Lofts who quite expressly state on the website that their lower packages are not habitable space.

magn8p

Doozergirl wrote: »

The OP has a quote from Eco Lofts who quite expressly state on the website that their lower packages are not habitable space.

I see, it's going to be a hobby room then. Not a bad idea but the OP can't claim it as a separate room when it comes to selling the house. Our neighbours did something similar to this. Spoke to the lady a couple of months ago and she said that she needed that extra space for toys of her 3 boys

Just make sure all the paper work is place as they talk about 10/20 year warranties. Eco Lofts (the Leeds based company that I saw) seems to be quite reputed.

Doozergirl

magn8p wrote: »

I see, it's going to be a hobby room then. Not a bad idea but the OP can't claim it as a separate room when it comes to selling the house. Our neighbours did something similar to this. Spoke to the lady a couple of months ago and she said that she needed that extra space for toys of her 3 boys

Just make sure all the paper work is place as they talk about 10/20 year warranties. Eco Lofts (the Leeds based company that I saw) seems to be quite reputed.

Hmm. I think they’re pretty clear, but not clear enough innwhat they say if the OP thinks they are getting a conversion.

A ‘hooby room’ or ‘cinema room’ is a room. A living space, a habitable area. If you are in a room doing something, anything then the room must be suitable for purpose. If you phone up Buildong Control and ask them if a ‘hobby room’ in the loft needs full regs, I can guess what they would say.

It’s not even about what they would say. The joists need to be strong enough. Most joists in loft are ceiling joists to hold up plasterboard, not people and furniture.