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Converted foundations
1010
Posts: 24 Forumite
Hi all.
We are buying a dormer bungalow which has an attached garage (flat roof) which the current owners have converted to a playroom. We are wanting to go above for another bedroom. I doubt the foundations are deep enough for standard second storey but as it’s a dormer bungalow only we would be putting a pitch roof on and the bedroom within.
Anyone know the rules regarding foundations and if we would need the full ‘normal’ double storey foundations or might we be okay ?
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Building control will want to know what foundations are there so your builder will have to dig down and expose the foundations. If they are good enough - fine. If they aren't they will have to be underpinned, it's not a big problem.Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.0
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Thanks. Is underpinning not v expensive ?0
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Underpinning can be expensive but it depends on the extent required. For a previous garage and in a lot of situations, they’re built off slabs as opposed to foundations so your underpinning in effect turns into full blown foundations. There are other ways to transfer the loads, i.e. steel frame and these can come down to localised pad foundations, which is less work. But you’d need an engineer to review and design this.
Btw and from a loading point of view, it’s not just a case of taking the flat roof off, putting on a pitched roof and using the space for a room. An existing flat roof with very minimal loading would change to floor loads and a pitched roof over the top will also be heavier.
Engage professionals in the form of an architect/designer and an engineer.0 -
If it is a typical garage constructed with a single skin wall + piers, it is unlikely to be strong enough for anther floor. Demolishing and rebuilding may be a better & cheaper option.DevilDamo said: Btw and from a loading point of view, it’s not just a case of taking the flat roof off, putting on a pitched roof and using the space for a room. An existing flat roof with very minimal loading would change to floor loads and a pitched roof over the top will also be heavier.
Any language construct that forces such insanity in this case should be abandoned without regrets. –
Erik Aronesty, 2014
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.1 -
About £1500 about 15 years ago. As others have said, is the wall strong enough to take another story? Ours was a 9" wall so it was fine but a single brick wall may not be.1010 said:Thanks. Is underpinning not v expensive ?Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.0 -
There can be so much ‘upgrade’ work required, which ends up making the knock down and re-build option more practical and viable.0
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