Loft conversion first steps

kenzie123

Does anyone have any advice on where to start with a loft conversion?
We are looking to see if it's possible to start with, and from there - design, quotes, planning paperwork etc

any advice appreciated - does it make sense to go to an architect first?
we have approached a couple of loft companies for quotes but no one has gotten back to us.

any advice appreciated

thank you 

Martin_the_Unjust

First step is to go out of your front door and look up and down your street to see if similar houses to yours already have loft conversations.

If any have then great, knock on their doors and invite them round for tea and cake and ask them for advice.

If there is none then have an informal chat with your local planning officer to see if it’s feasible.

Doozergirl

Martin_the_Unjust said:

If there is none then have an informal chat with your local planning officer to see if it’s feasible.

Unless it's a listed building, a loft conversion is likely to fall under Permitted Development. 

The feasibility question can be dealt with by whoever will be designing it.  It's about head heights and stair placements. 

OP you don't need a 'loft company'.  Any builder worth their salt can do a loft conversion.  'Specialists' just market themselves as such.  There's nothing specialist about it.  

rach_k

We chose a builder with plenty of experience doing lofts rather than a loft company, after I saw several loft companies doing things I wouldn't be happy with!  He was recommended by another tradesman we trust.  

Our first step was for the builder to come round and have a look.  We said what we hoped was possible, he took measurements and said he thought it should be, gave us a very rough idea of costs and booked us in (about 7 months later).  He put us in touch with an architect he worked with a lot, who then came round, told us what was actually possible and then we paid him to do the plans.  The builder then gave us a proper quote and took it from there; I think the only things we had to do ourselves were call up the council to pay for the building regs stuff and sort the party wall agreement with the neighbours. The builder did have a recommended party wall surveyor but advised us to try to do it ourselves to save money.