Loft conversion

JonnyH2

Hi,

Looking for some advice - any help hugely appreciated!

I'd like to have a loft conversion (with box dormer and ensuite bathroom) done in early 2019...

Does anyone have any rough idea of potential costs/time frame for this?..

Also do architects simply draw up plans and hand them over to the contractor?.. I've seen through the local council's planning website the plans from a neighbours' conversion a few years ago (same house, same layout as mine) - is it therefore possible to bypass the architect and go straight to the contractor with those plans?!!

Or am I missing something hugely important?!...

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks,
Jon

Smi1er

Any contractor will want their own plans drawn up I'd imagine.

Early 19? Best get your skates onI'd imagine the good firms are now booking for early summer 19

ProDave

The architect will own the copyright to the plans. You can't just use them. You could draw your own that happen to be very similar, or approach the architect who may provide your plans at a cheaper rate as he has essentially little work to do.

gazzak_2

Had ours done recently. Hired a cheap firm and now regret it, (though the finished article is fine). When you go cheap they give you the basics and add on every little extra, (an example is that they quoted for way less electrical points than we needed then added more on at a premium when I requested more).

Ours was a medium sized loft and we were quoted £40K, ended up closer to £45K when done. My best advice would be to get at least 4 companies in to take a look and discuss what they can do for you.

JonnyH2

ProDave wrote: »

The architect will own the copyright to the plans. You can't just use them. You could draw your own that happen to be very similar, or approach the architect who may provide your plans at a cheaper rate as he has essentially little work to do.

Yep I should've thought of that - thanks for the advice.

51mm5

If your house is terraced or semi-detached you may need a party wall agreement setup with your neighbours. Cost can potentially add up if you have arkward neighbours to get the agreement in place. Steel beams are usually required to reinforce the additional weight of a loft. More guidance here

https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works

jimbog

Look at floorplans on rightmove to see what your neighbours have done to get ideas

sevenhills

My first quote for a basic livable loft was £29k, so £35/40k maybe about right.

tobyj

Is it possible to tell me which companies you get quotes from? Thanks