Loft conversion

[amsingleagain]

Can anyone talk me through their experiences of having a loft conversion?
Building regs or not? Planning permission or not?
Have read something about Party Wall. Does that mean that adjoining neighbours have to agree to it?
Basic room. staircase and spindles, laminate flooring, velux window, heat and light.
3 bed semi. Room would end up about 14 x 14.
Any idea on costs?
TIA

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

It needs to be done correctly ! Rough guide (as far as I know) ... So proper stairs with adequate head height and an 'exit-able' window.
Then you need to upgrade your doors leading to stairs, to fire doors ... to ensure your escapee routes out of main doors downstairs are safe too - or , install an automated sprinkler system if you are all open plan to stairs ... best get a pro on board. ( not me though as I'm not an architect ! Just a space planner !)

[Jayfee]

if you own thw whole house, you might be able to do it on permitted dvelopment. you also need building regs and these have to be signed off.

[amsingleagain]

So...watch this space. Someone coming at 1pm tomorrow to quote!!

[yomellamoHelly]

Ooooo! Good luck. Here you can do it under permitted development if under 50m3. But you need building control (so need a structural engineer) and fire doors throughout to provide a fire exit .
We couldn't get an ordinary general builder to quote without drawings (so in process of organising getting those done). No-one who's had an all-in-one firm around here recommends it which has massively put me off that route.
Fees seem to be comparable. So it's just the hassle factor.

[Pringle2628]

We have 3 bed semi and new baby on the way and are also looking at a loft conversion please post with update or PM me if you can do that on here x

[Finola1step]

Bump.

Also considering a loft conversion. Nothing fancy. Dormer on the back. No ensuite. How did it go with the quote?

[Toomanycats99]

We did it with permitted development. We got certificate of lawfullness from council which confirms it does meet permitted development rules and there will no nasty comebacks. Needed to rebuild hall wall so clear route of exit and have linked mains wired smoke alarms in all rooms.

[Toomanycats99]

We had an all in one firm and found it very easy. Only thing was there was. Couple of extras architect put in drawings so final quote was slightly more than the basic one.

[Pringle2628]

If you don't mind me asking what kind of price was it? X

[Toomanycats99]

About £52k for builders (which included architects, building control fees etc) then cost of bathroom suite and carpeting decorating etc. That included new boiler as well. Our roof slopes side to side so we had it built out on both sides, based on comments from architects / builders I think it was a fairly complicated build. We are a fairly small Victorian mid terrace with ground floor bathroom so obviously new plumbing etc was running through the house.
We are surrey / south London borders so also guessing costs are possibly higher than elsewhere. Having said that having had it valued since the work has been done value has increased by roughly what we spent so that good especially considering it was only 50% of the price of moving to get an extra bedroom.

[Toomanycats99]

We have about 6 windows it in which was also one of the things that bumped up the cost!

And party wall cost us about £1800 on top as we had surveys done both sides. A cost but worth it for peace of mind.

[TenThousandSpoons]

We had ours converted (3 bed semi so sounds similar) for £40k. You don't need an exit-able window any more - the fire doors and mains wired smoke alarms are there to provide your safe escape down the stairs, so the low window thing is no longer required.

[Toohardtofindaproperusername]

Did u get a quote op?

[amsingleagain]

He came last week and unfortunately one of his lads has been off so he's been hands on. He's getting back to me tomorrow with a run down so will tell you more when I know.
Thanks for all your input. Helped me to sound a bit more 'in the know' when he came round.