FTB - lowered ceilings in victorian conversion

kacy89

Hi all, 
I'd really welcome some advice. 
I've seen a property which I like, it is a 1 bed period conversion flat. The issue is the ceilings have been lowered by 30cm or more. This was done 20 years ago when the house was converted into flats. Any advice on whether this could be reversed?

eddddy

Do you mean that there is a void (empty space) between the ceiling of the flat and the floor of the flat above?

If there's a void, it might be theoretically possible to open up the void to raise the ceiling, but it's likely to be very expensive and messy - and I doubt it would increase the value of the flat. (Personally, I think I'd just look for another flat that already had higher ceilings.)

Or was the ceiling lowered to provide more headroom in the flat above - for example, because the flat above is in a converted loft, and more headroom was required?

If it was done to provide more headroom for the flat above, they'll be no way that you can raise the ceiling height.

george4064

Which floor is that flat in that you are looking at? Is there another flat above it?

Norman_Castle

Very likely this was done as soundproofing between the flats.

kacy89

It is ground floor and there is another flat above. 

UnderOffer

If it’s only 30cm, why do you want to change it? I agree with others, this could seriously affect the soundproofing. 

Davesnave

UnderOffer said:

If it’s only 30cm, why do you want to change it? I agree with others, this could seriously affect the soundproofing. 

Depends entirely how it's been done. I've seen hideous false ceilings installed in period property years ago, where opening-up and reinstating would be a doddle, immediately improving saleability. However, if it's a more permanent job with something like soundproofing in mind, then that's different.

There's no detail so none of us knows.

Jeepers_Creepers

I can totally understand the wish to raise the ceilings close to that of their original height; if the rest of the interior reflects its Victorian heritage (wood sash windows, fireplaces, picture rails, ornate cornice, etc) then flat, lowered ceilings could well look out of place, and there's a good chance it will make the place more desirable - both to live in and resell. 

As said above, tho', it'll largely come down to why the ceilings were lowered;

It could possibly have been to allow the floor level in the flat above to be lowered, but I doubt that very much - that is usually too large a task. In any case, I bet the rooms in the flat above also have highish ceilings (or had...), so wouldn't have needed this. If this was the reason, then obviously you are stumped.

It could have been done to add sound insulation between the flats, in which case you'd need to ensure that you reintroduce at least the same level when you raise the ceilings back up - tho' bear in mind this won't be to the original Victorian height since you'll need to allow for that acoustic material. For this to be successful, I suggest you'll need a sound specialist. I also suspect you'll need the LL's permission, and they'd have to be totally convinced that you will maintain - or beat - the existing soundproofing levels. 300mm is a huge gap, tho', and I'm struggling to see why such a large drop was needed to provide soundproofing?

It could have been done - unbelievably - for 'aesthetic' reasons to make the room appear more modern or cosy, or to make the rooms easier to heat! If so, that gives the best chance of having the original ceiling height reinstated. 

Or it could have been done - again incredibly - as an easier way to cope with uneven, sagging or crumbling plaster/lath ceilings. I have heard of this being done - a new suspended frame is added rather than tackling the original ceiling. Again, this would lend itself to the best chance of having the original ceilings restored.

But, without a survey, or without information from whoever was involved (does the LL know?), you are left guessing.

What are the chances of the LL agreeing to this anyway? Or are you hoping to quietly get away with it? I'd suggest that you either approach the LL before making an offer - assuring them that you will use a professional outfit that'll maintain insulation levels - or else proceed only if you can live with the ceilings as they are should you later ask and be turned down.

It all depends on the reason it was lowered.

As for the job itself, if all it requires is the new - and possibly original - ceilings to be ripped down and redone, then, yes, this is messy, so you'd ideally want it done before you move in properly, or can you move out of these rooms at least? It is an easy job, tho', grist t'mill for a plasterer; they'll have your ceiling down and reboarded in one day, skimmed the next. 

If it needs acoustic work as well, then that's beyond my knowledge. 

davidmcn

Apart from soundproofing (and helping with heating), it may also be hiding knackered plasterwork on the original ceiling. And be a useful place to stuff the electrics, which might be tricky to rearrange without troubling the people upstairs. 

AdrianC

Another possibility is that the false ceiling is hiding services to the flat upstairs. Pipework for the newly-created kitchen, perhaps?

Doozergirl

Everything is possible, so in answer to the question can you?  Yes you can.  

It's not just soundproofing, it's fire boarding.  

It may well add value to the property if you want to regain the original proportions, but as others have suggested, I'd put money on the developers using it as a cheaper alternative to knocking back the old lathe and plaster.  They'll have used the void to run electrics etc.  

If it's just your electrics and not the ones for upstairs then it mightn't be too bad.  It will be a VERY messy job, so I'd be hoping that the room wanted a bit of sprucing up anyway.  

When was it converted?