Loft Conversions

[Bagpuss]

As you know, DH and I have accepted an offer on the house, and are now actively looking for a bungalow. Unfortunately we need a 4 bed one, so we will have to convert the loft in which ever one we decide to buy. Does anyone have any knowledge of loft conversions, and more specifically roughly how much they cost? I know people who have converted their own lofts, but no one who has employed a specialist to do so, which we would be doing. All the sites I've checked out seem to only give info regarding building regs, fire safety, ladders, insulation etc etc, and no idea of costs involved.

 

Any advice would be really welcome

[brooke]

Hi Bagpuss

We have an old semi detached house and were looking into getting our loft converted. There are two ways of doing it first one is a proper conversion which involves getting planning permission from your council and you have to have a proper fixed staircase going up (not stepladders). This is the more expensive version we were quoted �20,000 and thats for the basic our loft is quite big though.

The other type of conversion is where you get flooring put down and a hatch and ladders, this isnt as much money but it cant be classed as an extra room if you decide to sell. Anyway hope that helps a little bit. Have a look in the yellow pages there might be a company you could ring for advice.

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Brooke

[Bagpuss]

Thanks Brooke....OMG.....�20K Do you think I could sell a couple of kids on ebay? We've seen two possible bungalows last night, but there are pros and cons for both, so DH and I have been up alot of last night talking it all through. We are also going to view a house this evening, in our present town, but it would mean installing a stairlift (not at our cost though), but still, we are umming and ahhing about bungalow v house dilemma. Hoping to have made a decision by Wed We've only been pondering 3 and half years......

 

Thanks again and take care x

[yoyo]

Bagpuss,

 

I have no idea of cost for a 'proper' loft conversion. My husband just put flooring down so that he could have his train set there!! Some people in our road have converted properly with extra supports, windows, proper stairs etc and it is certainly becoming a more common feature of housing. I hope you find the home you need and that you will be very happy in it.

 

Yoyo

[cmuir]

Hi

 

We considered getting our present house converted, but decided against it on the basis that we'd be better moving house out of a cul-de-sac type of setting to offer us a bit of privacy. Seems there's 2 ways of doing it: meeting regulations and not meeting regulations. Meeting regulations costs in the region of �20k, but it depends whether you're looking at including a bathroom/plumbing, etc. This would have included plans, staircase, vents in roof, velux windows, fire doors, etc. This was for one very large room and did not include plumbing, etc.

 

Best wishes.

 

Caroline.

[Bagpuss]

Thanks Yoyo and Caroline

 

Looks as if we may finally have found the ONE We put an offer in, and the owner told us they would accept �1000 higher, so we will be ringing back in the morning to confirm It's only 2 beds, but the living space is large, something we've struggled to find while looking at bungalows, and my uncle and mum's partner will hopefully be able to help re the loft conversion....they are both from the building trade. Will get some specialist advice too as we are hoping to be able to make a further 2 bedrooms in the loft for eldest dd and ds, and with it being children's bedroom's I don't want to cut any corners.

 

Keeping everything crossed that the sale of our house and purchase of the bungalow go through smoothly......youngest dd will benefit so much from not having to go up and down stairs

 

Take care x