Compare velux loft conversion quotes - opinions?

tobyj

Post has been deleted.

Robin9

I presume they are quoting on your architect's drawings and he has consulted a structural engineer.

tobyj

Both of them drew a plan at the visits. They are very much the same because we told them what we wanted. Quote 1 company did say that their quote is the maximum. The real bill is going to be lower.

sevenhills

tobyj wrote: »

Due to our lease, we can't make any structural changes on the house so we can't have dormer conversion, we can only have velux windows conversion.

Surely this is not what it means? Your whole conversion involves structural changes which will need to comply with building regulations.
I dont have any personal experience with these matters, I am just a keyboard warrior

System

Installing three steel beams to from a new floor level is a pretty significant "Structural change" I would be getting that lease checked, i can't see how you've reached the conclusion that a dormer wouldn't be allowed but adding a floor and cutting roof members for velux windows would be...

tobyj

Well, because a few neighbours done it. They are all velux windows conversion. I am pretty sure it is allowed.

Robin9

Have you spoken to the planners at your local authority ?

System

tobyj wrote: »

Well, because a few neighbours done it. They are all velux windows conversion. I am pretty sure it is allowed.

Did they have to buy out their lease or have it altered, or do they have the same terms on their lease as you? There is no real assurance in "because a few neighbours have done it, it should be ok" - you need to establish How they have done it, not just what they have done...

tobyj

I am asking opinions on the quotes. Now we are talking about the lease. Well, I don't need to buy out lease. And I am pretty sure none of my neighbours bought out lease. We are allowed to do velux loft conversion. It is confirmed.

Hoploz

There doesn't seem to be an awful lot between them. The second, cheaper quote does not nclude some items which the first one does, eg boiler (although that doesn't sound like a done deal as he doesn't want to install what you've suggested, and I agree.)


It's hard for any of us to know exactly how you worded your requirements to each of them as they differ from each other, which seems to account for the difference in cost. It's easier to compare if you give them a set of structural plans done by your architect. If they're each doing their own plans/drawings then it isn't necessarily a like-for-like quote.