Loft conversion

t3rm3y2

Hello. We have a found that it would be handy to have a loft conversion carried out to increase space, this will be for one of the kids to sleep in and use as a bedroom so needs to be habitable. 
I did get 1 quote from a loft conversion company but this was £40,000 which was way too much for our budget. 
Would we be better to get a company to install the steel beams and then a carpenter to do the timber stuff? 
We were looking for a dormer of approx 4.9m X 3.8 and a separate bathroom. Stairs up from existing small room. 
Surely that's not 40k worth of building? We are in North Essex..

Doozergirl

What is your budget? 

You have one quote.  On one hand perhaps one isn't enough, but on the other you need to be very careful expecting the the job to fit a particular budget.   It's how people end up with bad builders.  

£40k certainly isn't unfeasible for a loft conversion with a bathroom.  If the actual dormer are of the convwrsion is 4.9m by 3.8m, then that's a big room!  

Aylesbury_Duck

Don't be tempted by some of these so-called loft conversion companies who will charge you less but leave you with not much more than posh storage and certainly not a space legal or safe to use as a bedroom.

Petriix

You could save a fortune if you manage the project yourself and bring in individuals to do the specific skilled jobs. Even more so if you do as much of the work as you can yourself. However, it's really difficult (and often undesirable) to actually meet all the regulations around making it a habitable space including the fully compliant escape route; so do your research first.

t3rm3y2

4.9x 3.8 was the whole room size including dormer and inside loft space. 
I can't do too much myself, only the painting. 
I have a friend who is a carpenter but he wasn't able to do too much or advise much with the loft as it is, as needs to be supported by steel .
Would it be massively cheaper to not have a bathroom as well? We just assumed it'll be a little more for the plumbing and a cheap shower, sink, toilet.

t3rm3y2

Our budget was £25,000 but at a push could get to £30,000 maximum

Plumber90

t3rm3y2 said:

Our budget was £25,000 but at a push could get to £30,000 maximum

Just shop around, I had someone do a loft extension at my house. They did the stairs, steels, new joists and trusses, fitted 3 x windows (I supplied) supplied and fitted 1 x velux, 7. 5 metre long dormer which was rendered and made water tight, architect's drawings, structural engineers drawings and all the building control bits and pieces for about £17k all in.

I then sorted all the other bits my self so all in I reckon it's about £25k for a very large bedroom and ensuite plus new boiler and cylinder. 

t3rm3y2

Plumber90 said:

t3rm3y2 said:

Our budget was £25,000 but at a push could get to £30,000 maximum

Just shop around, I had someone do a loft extension at my house. They did the stairs, steels, new joists and trusses, fitted 3 x windows (I supplied) supplied and fitted 1 x velux, 7. 5 metre long dormer which was rendered and made water tight, architect's drawings, structural engineers drawings and all the building control bits and pieces for about £17k all in.

I then sorted all the other bits my self so all in I reckon it's about £25k for a very large bedroom and ensuite plus new boiler and cylinder. 

Where abouts are you based? Who did you look for? A general builder/ company or a loft conversion company?

Plumber90

t3rm3y2 said:

Plumber90 said:

t3rm3y2 said:

Our budget was £25,000 but at a push could get to £30,000 maximum

Just shop around, I had someone do a loft extension at my house. They did the stairs, steels, new joists and trusses, fitted 3 x windows (I supplied) supplied and fitted 1 x velux, 7. 5 metre long dormer which was rendered and made water tight, architect's drawings, structural engineers drawings and all the building control bits and pieces for about £17k all in.

I then sorted all the other bits my self so all in I reckon it's about £25k for a very large bedroom and ensuite plus new boiler and cylinder. 

Where abouts are you based? Who did you look for? A general builder/ company or a loft conversion company?

I'm from Hampshire, the company is a do loft/garage conversions, new builds, bathrooms, kitchens so aren't a dedicated to just loft conversions. 

Doozergirl

t3rm3y2 said:

Plumber90 said:

t3rm3y2 said:

Our budget was £25,000 but at a push could get to £30,000 maximum

Just shop around, I had someone do a loft extension at my house. They did the stairs, steels, new joists and trusses, fitted 3 x windows (I supplied) supplied and fitted 1 x velux, 7. 5 metre long dormer which was rendered and made water tight, architect's drawings, structural engineers drawings and all the building control bits and pieces for about £17k all in.

I then sorted all the other bits my self so all in I reckon it's about £25k for a very large bedroom and ensuite plus new boiler and cylinder. 

Where abouts are you based? Who did you look for? A general builder/ company or a loft conversion company?

You know that loft conversion companies are just general builders with different marketing, right? 

t3rm3y2

Doozergirl said:

t3rm3y2 said:

Plumber90 said:

t3rm3y2 said:

Our budget was £25,000 but at a push could get to £30,000 maximum

Just shop around, I had someone do a loft extension at my house. They did the stairs, steels, new joists and trusses, fitted 3 x windows (I supplied) supplied and fitted 1 x velux, 7. 5 metre long dormer which was rendered and made water tight, architect's drawings, structural engineers drawings and all the building control bits and pieces for about £17k all in.

I then sorted all the other bits my self so all in I reckon it's about £25k for a very large bedroom and ensuite plus new boiler and cylinder. 

Where abouts are you based? Who did you look for? A general builder/ company or a loft conversion company?

You know that loft conversion companies are just general builders with different marketing, right? 

No I didn't, I assumed there were builders that specialise in lofts due to architects, steel, timber, regulations etc. Then general builders who build a brick wall for a conservatory or similar. 
So who do I look for in yell, or local to me? What am I asking them to do if I just want the steel ,roof, andwand put in ?
Why do we need architects to draw plans? Surely a carpenter can plan the sizes and cut wood? 
We were also told our Composit door needs to be changed to a fireproof door- I don't get why? If there's a fire indoors and it's between the door and loft then what's it matter, ? If it's outdoors then I would be extremely surprised as it's concrete out there..