MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Anyone done their own? I'm looking to do it 'legally' as in the bare minimum of standards without calling it a bedroom thus avoiding the additional building regs that this status requires.
I've got a structural engineer to advise on joist strengthening which I would follow religiously. But any advice on velux windows, the staircase and soundproofing to the minimum levels would be appreciated.
FYI, it's a typical (Cardiff) 2 bed Victorian terrace house with a bathroom upstairs. Plenty of room on the landing to fit new stairs going up to the loft.
Cheers!
We got folk in.
Not nearly as expensive as you might think for a basic conversion.
We got centre joists out, new floir joists, insulation, flooring, walls, eaves cupboards, ceiling, plastering, lighting, power and Ethernet points, two velux windows and a folding ladder for £2500.
A barebones conversion (hatch, ladder, joists, flooring, lights) would have been a grand.
Note: if you put in actual stairs rather than a ladder, then I believe it is then "a room" and you've got much more building regs etc.
Graham,
Wow, now that's what I'm talking about! I'm happy to do the cupboards, plastering, lighting etc. myself. If using a ladder reduces the regs then I'm having that! All I want is some extra space for guests and storage.
Where do you live? Was that price including the engineer and Building control submission?
Thanks
Yup, do exactly what grahamS did, ie use a folding ladder. Otherwise you max as well go the whole hog. Soon as you put a staircase in, the building inspector owns your ass
fixed staircase or thermal insulation you'll need a building regs application
Mintyjim, I'm near Newcastle so not exactly local for you. 🙂 I think the company we used, Paramount Lofts, may well have gone bust anyway cos their website is gone.
No building regs/inspection were required for our stuff because it was "storage", rather than a "habitable space".
(The "plans" were literally a sheet of A4 with a drawing in biro)
The result IS habitable (lights, windows etc) but it can't be sold as such (and shouldn't really be used as such as it doesn't have fire escapes etc)
We use it as storage, computer room and a second guest room.
Graham,
That is exactly what I'm after. I'm surprised you submitted plans (no matter how dubious!).
The solution of a folding ladder is perfect for my requirements. I wouldn't expect to sell the house alluding to an additional habitable space, I'd simply keep schtum.
Thanks for your feedback!
fixed staircase or thermal insulation you'll need a building regs application
Is that the case? I understood that you could do what you want, but it just won't be counted as a room if you don't actually have the regs and therefore won't add value to the house.
I'm surprised you submitted plans (no matter how dubious!).
No no. We [u]didn't[/u] submit any plans.
Check your council website - the planning department may offer useful advice.
So regs is just because of the fixed staircase is it? - When "storage" (ie a shelf with a ladder) becomes habitable space/room/needs building regs?
I have a lean-to extension underway with a high pitched roof. Not in plans, but there is enough height at one end for a big "storage/den" area with ladder access. Floor would be about 5sq M area. Ceiling above would be ~5'6" max down to ~2'6".
I am treating this currently as a "shelf" and have already put in the steels to support the floor. BC should have no interest I was thinking - or would they? I still need BC round anyway to sign off the rest of the work when it's finished. I guess I should perhaps ask, but rather wouldn't raise it if awkward BC might stop a fiendishly good plan. I am treating this (so far) as outside BC concern.