Is £40,000 right for basic loft conversion

elmo43

I’m looking to get an attic conversion, checking online it seemed for a basic conversion it starts at around £15,000 so I sent an email to a couple of business ( in Edinburgh)  to get a general idea of a guide price to check first if it’s affordable before paying for an architect to draw up plans for a proper quote. I was a bit surprised by the guide price I was given being £40,000. I’m looking for a basic room apx 4x3 with stairs and 2 windows, no dorma or structural changes to roof, no en-suite, only half the attic to be converted. We would complete all the decorating and finishing touches our self.  Our budget is only £25,000, am I way under and living in dreamland or is there something I can do with this budget? 

Doozergirl

How can they give a ballpark over the phone if there's no drawings? Every building project is so different.    

Rosa_Damascena

£40k sounds a lot for a straightforward conversion without any structural changes. You need details on where that £40k will be going.

elmo43

Rosa_Damascena said:

£40k sounds a lot for a straightforward conversion without any structural changes. You need details on where that £40k will be going.

I thought the same. For a dorma conversion I’d expect that to start from around that price, but that’s just by going on prices online. I know the costs of timber etc is going up quick in recent months though. 

Doozergirl

It's not just timber.  It's everything.  All sorts of construction materials and products, and it's been relentless for months.  

Rosa_Damascena

Doozergirl said:

It's not just timber.  It's everything.  All sorts of construction materials and products, and it's been relentless for months.  

Even so, £40k?!

I suppose I could forgive at £33k + VAT though.

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

I’ve moved your thread from the ‘In my home’ board to the ‘Is This Quote Fair?’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

GDB2222

Doozergirl said:

How can they give a ballpark over the phone if there's no drawings? Every building project is so different.    

It seems really odd, doesn’t it. Maybe they just had in mind that the last one they did cost £40k? 

TELLIT01

If the OP has simply phoned companies and asked what the average price for a loft conversion is they may get that answer.

elmo43

I sent a mail detailing what I needed and asked if it was possible to provide an apx cost, I know there is no way of getting an accurate quote or estimate without drawing made up but as these cost around £1000 I was hoping they could advise an guide price going by the info I provided, that way it would give me an idea if it was affordable before forking out £1000 for architect or wasting their time if it’s way out our budget. As it turns out if it’s £40000 it’s way out my budget so no point getting an architect. Think the best way is to maybe get a company that provides a free quote, once I get the attic cleared a bit lol 

Plenty headroom room, no structure changes, room no bigger that 4x3, stairs to be added to room. Window in the stair and one in the room. Electric to be added. Basic conversion and we would do all the decorating and finishing touches. I really thought I’d get that done for £25000 but seems I’m way out. 

KarlF

For comparison,  I've recently been quoted £38,000 inc vat for a 2 bedroom loft conversion with 4 velux windows (no dormer). It also includes them managing the project, sorting out building regs/party wall, etc. This is Midlands based.