Why go to the bother of building an extension in the first place?

5 days ago 17 comments

Option 1: Lower the ceilings below.

If you are in an older style property you may find that the ceilings below may be high sometimes up to 3 meters from floor to ceiling. If this is the case it is possible to remove the existing ceilings and reinstate then at a lower level providing it is still exceeding 2.4mts to comply with building regulations. This can be a messy alternative but can give you that additional height in the loft.

A tip from the trade.

If your builder suggests this ask him to build the frame and deck out the lower ceiling and seal it before he removes the ceiling above. This reduces the mess and makes it more habitable for the householders during the works. It also makes more common sense.

Option 2: Raising the Roof.

This is a major job and will not suit all types of properties. It involves removing part or the whole of the roof and rebuilding it to give it the necessary height and required structure. This can be structurally feasible however the problem comes with getting the required planning approval from the local council. There are other considerations and expense such as purposely designed scaffolding with weather-proof coverings to protect the property during this major modification.

Will the Party Wall Act Apply to my Loft Conversion?

3 days ago 9 comments

If you are introducing steel beams into the party wall then the Party Wall Act will need to be served in the normal manner giving your neighbour two months’ notice prior to when the work is to commence. It is the householders responsibility to serve this notice and not the builders which is a common mistake often made by the householder. It is far easier to openly discuss such items with your neighbour before you officially serve the notice as any problems can usually be sorted out quite amicable.

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Will my loft conversion need Planning Permission?

2 hours ago 1 comments

It depends on the design of your loft conversion you proposed to undertake. There are many designs that do not require planning permission and that can be built under the Permitted Development Regulations introduced on the 1st October 2008 and these can be viewed by the link provided on this site. However there are certain circumstances where planning permission is still required like the following:

Your house is a listed building

You live in a conservation area

You want to build dormers that face onto the road

You want to build a dormer that will look over a neighbour’s property

Any part of the conversion will be higher than the existing roof

If your home has already been extended to the limit of its permitted development (15% of its original size) It is always advisable to discuss this with your local planning authority or specialised loft designers.

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Will my loft conversion need Building Regulations?

2 hours ago 1 comments

The work needs to be completed in line with the current building regulations. If you try and convert your loft without complying to current building regulations the council is within its right to enforce an order retrospectively, to return your loft to its original use. Our advice is always plan the works properly and always to be compliant and have the work approved by your local authority building control (or an independent Building service provider).

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Why Convert Your Loft?

2 hours ago 1 comments

If you are thinking of a loft conversion you will remain within the original footprint of your property and this may well work out to be a cheaper alternative than an extension so may well be the best choice. Also it is always practical to put additional bedrooms and or an en-suite at the top of the property other than locating it somewhere else and on another floor or in a cellar conversion as an example. The views from a loft conversion can be far more impressive than the existing top rooms in your property so lofts can be designed for a variety or purposes, the most popular use being bedrooms then followed by lounges. It can also be quite pleasant working from an office with panoramic views of the area. So It all well and good making the decision that you will go to the expense of converting your however some lofts constructions are not suitable for such a conversion for a variety of reasons.

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What if I have a truss section type roof?

2 hours ago 1 comments

The truss roof is constructed out of thinner sections of wood but the structural integrity is gained by the addition of diagonal brace timbers. Having to remove such braces would affect the structural integrity and a design must be prepared to qualify all the structural elements as there will need to be the introduction of steel beams and a steel ridge beam. The rafters will also have to be increased in size to carry the different stress loads. Depending on the type of loft design there will more than likely be the need to introduce steel beams to carry the new floor as it is highly unlikely that the existing ceiling joists will have the size and strength to carry the floor structure. Option 1: Lower the ceilings below

If you are in an older style property you may find that the ceilings below may be high sometimes up to 3 meters from floor to ceiling. If this is the case it is possible to remove the existing ceilings and reinstate then at a lower level providing it is still exceeding 2.4mts to comply with building regulations. This can be a messy alternative but can give you that additional height in the loft. A tip from the trade.

If your builder suggests this ask him to build the frame and deck out the lower ceiling and seal it before he removes the ceiling above. This reduces the mess and makes it more habitable for the householders during the works. It also makes more common sense. Option 2: Raising the Roof

This is a major job and will not suit all types of properties. It involves removing part or the whole of the roof and rebuilding it to give it the necessary height and required structure. This can be structurally feasible however the problem comes with getting the required planning approval from the local council. There are other considerations and expense such as purposely designed scaffolding with weather-proof coverings to protect the property during this major modification.

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What can be built under permitted development rights for loft conversions?

2 hours ago 1 comments

Under permitted development you can make alterations such as small extensions or loft conversions to your house without obtaining planning permission. Due to the rising number of householders planning applications, the Government introduced measures to remove the need for local planning authorities to approve routine loft conversions, house extensions or alterations, which are considered to have minimal impact on neighbours. The rules were updated on the 1st October 2008. Permitted development is intended to reduce the red tape and encourage home owners to develop their homes. Consequently the good news is that now many loft conversions can be built under permitted development rights.

Allowances: Under permitted development you are given certain allowances for extending your property. If you live in a conservation area or your house is a listed building your permitted development rights might be restricted under article 4 of the GPDO (General Permitted Development Order Town and Planning Act) if you are unsure you need to check this with your local planning office/council who will be able to advise you.

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So what if I am lucky and have a traditional frame type construction?

2 hours ago 1 comments

TIf you are lucky to have a traditional frame type construction you will hopefully have the height required to construct a loft conversion. You need to measure from underside of the ridge beam to the top of the ceiling joist and record this measurement. As a general rule if you have over 2.4 meters you will have a good chance that this will be an easier than most other conversions to undertake, there isn’t much room in having a room if you can’t stand up in it. The Building Regulations states that you must have a head height of at least 2.0 meters at the central point of the doorway from the finished floor to the underside of the finished ceiling at the highest point. If you have less than 2.4 meters it is worth looking at our inadequate ceiling height data sheet.

Depending on the type of loft design there will more than likely be the need to introduce steel beams to carry the new floor as it is highly unlikely that the existing ceiling joists will have the size and strength to carry the floor structure. There may also be the need to introduce a new steel ridge beam pending on the type of loft conversion you elect to build

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How much would a loft conversion cost?

2 hours ago 1 comments

This is always a very difficult question to answer as there are so many styles of loft conversion to choose from. Does the loft conversion have an en –suite, has the dormer been constructed using dormers etc. Without an exact specification it is hard to speculate. However a normal size loft usually can be built somewhere between £20K and £30K as an example. We would recommend that you get several estimates from recognised builders / loft conversion experts as prices can vary indeed.

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How do I know if my loft will be suitable to convert?

2 hours ago 1 comments

You initially need to carry out a feasibility study of the structure of your loft and if your loft is presently boarded out and fitted with proper pull down stairs this will be easy to do. If however your loft is not boarded and is not fitted with a ladder and light then this becomes a potential hazard situation and you need to ask an expert or take the proper safety precautions. It is always worth measuring a loft with someone else for ease and to comply with safety issues like footing the stepladders and handing up the lead light to name but a few.

However we include a few safety tips for you to consider. This is by no means a safety statement but some form of protection for you and for others.

Make sure you have proper access to the loft

Make sure you have temporary lighting in the loft

Make sure you use the correct safety approved ladders to gain access to the loft

For more information see data sheets on traditional frame type construction and truss section construction

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