Loft storage room conversion

Hemmy1982

I hope I can get some advise...
We recently bought a 3 bed mid terrace property.

It has a loft room accessed via a removable wooden staircase via the main bedroom.

When we purchased the property we knew it was not a bedroom, but a luxury loft storage room. We saw proof of the work done.
The existing loft floor was cross braced, and boarded. The entire loft insulated and quilted, plasterboard, plastered, electrics, 2 velux windows at the rear and eaves storage.

It looks beautiful, but it cannot be classed as a habitable room.
We would like to get a proper conversion so we can have a fourth bedroom, including staircase.

Before I start to contact builders for quotes etc, can anyone with any knowledge of loft conversions let me know if there is the possibility of saving some of the work already done?

Or will the whole thing, carpets, lights, eaves storage, plaster etc all need to be removed?

For reference,  we would be looking at staying within the existing roof line, and not adding a dormer, as we are mid terrace, there is no need for a mansard roof conversion, it would also be one room, no enquire bathroom.

We have been advised we have enough room in the landing to add a staircase, and the height of the loft is big enough to not add a dormer.

Thank you in advance for any advise...

Hemmy1982

Thar should read ensuite bathroom

FreeBear

It depends on whether the existing joists are big enough, and also the level of insulation - The latter probably won't meet current regs, so you could well have to remove plasterboard to fit more.

Your first step might be to ask a structural engineer to look at the joists and tell you if they are up to the job. I wouldn't trust the opinion of a builder.

Hemmy1982

Thanks FreeBear, 

I can see that the 100mm rock wool insulation was used, looking at current regs it seems a minimum of 270mm should be used.

I wonder if they could insulate from behind the eaves?

I guess we could remove the carpet and re-use and remove the light fixtures and fittings.

I was just hoping they could leave the eaves storage and plaster in place.

As you suggest, a structural engineer is probably are first port of call, thank you.