what do you do first when you start to do loft conversion?

Answer 1

Without knowing how you define Loft; or Conversion; the first thing I'd want would be "Access"; then some judgement about "Use"; and the support structure of the floor. Those 3 factors would pretty much determine how you proceed. Ah wait there is another..."Budget"

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

Shave you hair off first. Saves you pulling it out later.
But really architchet is a must, he/she will be able to maximise space and find best position for access. Search about for most competitive prices. You could go with a loft conversion company but personally I think your better getting the tradesmen in seperate. Joiner for the joist positioning etc. electrician and plumber and plaster if you want a finished job. Brother hhas just finished converting his loft was quoted £15,000 by a loft convertion company done the lot for just over £4000. Good luck

Answer 3

You will require building regulations approval for a loft conversion. If you take the ceiling joists out you will have to somehow tie the rafters together as they will spread just like a pair of stepladders if you take out the string and stand on them - zap you're on the floor. If you leave the ceiling joists in they will most probably not be strong enough for a floor and you will need to put floor joists between the existing ceiling joists so that will decrease your room in the loft - are you following this there will be an exam later - You will require insulation between and over the rafters to attain the correct 'U' value. You will require egress in case of fire and all your doors downstairs will require upgrading to fire doors etc etc. Look on the odpm web site and you can access all the building regs from there. Anyhow good luck with your project if you've not been put off ...........

Answer 4

Without wishing to be rude, the fact that you needed to ask this question indicates that you are not capable of doing the job yourself. (Always assuming that you where going to!). So I would suggest at last three quotes from reliable, local loft conversion companies - taken from recommendations preferably.

Answer 5

Work out what you want doing, work out how much you have to spend, go to the telephone , phone several reputable builders, and ask for quotes.....(the cheapest is not necessarily always the best).........unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing, get a professional to do it. A loft conversion should not need planning permission as it is internal, but you will need to get your house a structural survey, and you will have to have blueprints drawn up, (builders work from plans) ..........money, money, money. However, an extra bedroom, especially en suite, will add value to your house........assuming it is your house?

Answer 6

have a cup of coffee and empty the junk from out of your loft first

Answer 7

buy a house that has a loft

Answer 8

Hubby says:
Replace the 4x2 floor joists with 9x2 or whatever is needed, is why you use an architect to draw the plan. You need to insulate between the joist and he said something about chicken wire to hold it all down ....

Answer 9

make access bigger to get your boards up in bigger pieces and fit stairway loft ladder, then a light and electrics

Answer 10

You gotta shift all the old junk out then make all your measurments while your timber is on order sheet of an area below as it gets messy when you start to cut out the hole for stairs