Cost of loft conversion in a small terrace, approx

[CatAndHisKit]

Has anyone done a loft conversion in a two up, two down house recently, terraced, roof isn't very high and a very square space?
Currently loft isn't unsulated.
It would be one vellux window, not a dormer - seen an example on pics of the same street /same size house. Some do dormers but I know it's more expensive.

[ulanbatorismynextstop]

One velum doesn't sound enough, unless it's large. May be worth considering 2.

[CatAndHisKit]

It's not a large loft - at all! SA a similar on pictures with one so basing on that. But if it was one large velux, what would be the cost?

[time4anothername]

best to say where approximately you are in the country as prices vary a lot.

[MikeUniformMike]

What is the floor space of the loft and what is the pitch height.
I think you need planning permission for vellux at the front of the house but not the rear.
There is a minimum height requirement for the standing space in the loft if converting.

[CatAndHisKit]

It's South Yorks, time.

Mike I don't know exactly as I've only viewed the house but it's above two rooms of 11 x 11 sq f, no hall. I meant the back window - seen it done on pics of the same houses in same street, so enough height (some neighbours have a dormer too).

[CatkinToadflax]

We’ve got two veluxes at the front, a large dormer on the side and standard windows at the back and didn’t need planning permission, it came under building regulations. I’m afraid I don’t know how much the veluxes cost as they were a fairly small element of quite a large conversion.

Obviously without knowing measurements, OP, it’s hard to say, but what you’ve described sounds really small due to losing head height. If you can add a dormer window then do consider doing this - it makes a colossal difference to the side of the room.

[CatkinToadflax]

*size of the room!

[wonderpants]

Mine cost £25k including dormer and shower room up there. All building regs done!

[PartialToACupOfMilo2020]

We recently had a quote for similar. We're in a 2 bed terrace in Birmingham - not quite two up, two down but quite small. We were quoted 30,000 plus VAT for the same thing but with a dormer - there's already a velux up there.

[SecretOfChange]

I'm doing it but it's part of a bigger renovation project. Also in Yorkshire. I'd guess that the loft part - putting the velux, insulation and boarding/plastering/painting will be in the region of £5-7K, 10K max.

Dormers are very expensive so not very comparable to just putting the roof lights. The cost of dormer (materials and labour) is ~20K.

[CatAndHisKit]

Secret ah ok, not too bad! Yes that's why I wasn't even asking about dormers as I know I couldn't afford it.
Out of interest, how much would you say is the cost of insulation only? not insulated currently but part boarded.

thank you all who replied - as I thought dormers / ,more than one velux is a very expensive job. I was mainly thinking how much to ask off asking price as it was overpriced and the original sale fell through.

[EmptyFrogBarrel]

That £20k for a dormer seems crazy. Ours is costing £6k for a full width dormer in a large terrace.

[EmptyFrogBarrel]

Adding an extra velux is really cheap in comparison to everything else, about £250.

[SecretOfChange]

Insulation is not that expensive (in hundreds, up to a 1K), it depends on the quality of materials that you buy. Also there might be some insulation there already so it's up to you to decide if that's sufficient. You really only find out if it is sufficient when you start ripping out the place. There is currently a Green Homes Grant Scheme which means that you can fund your insulation work with government vouchers - you need to complete your work by March 2021.

Another useful link:
Loft insulation calculator from B&Q

[supercalifragilistic123]

Are you sure it can be converted? We have a similar house and it is not suitable for conversion. Has anybody else done it on the road?

[supercalifragilistic123]

doh! I didn't read your op properly

[SecretOfChange]

@EmptyFrogBarrel if you literally ask to install a velux window and totally nothing else at all then I think ~1K is probably about right (still not £250) but loft conversions tend to involve more than just that, for example insulation, boarding, plastering, painting, electrics. Possibly fixing a few roof tiles etc.

[Witchlight]

Just a quick note to say that if you add living space to another floor, all sorts of building regs will apply re fire doors to rooms off the main staircase and insulation. Your house will be expected to conform to many of the latest building regs.

If it is an old house, this can be costly!

[CatAndHisKit]

Secret thank you for that info re Grants. It's def not enough atm as I had looked into the loft and it feels cold, has exposed brickwork.

Witch yes I'm aware of this - the only unclear point is, what if you use it as an 'occasional attic room' as agents put it for a non-reged space - in this case because you can't install a proper staircase, but will still need to use a retractale ladder? Obvs others did that too as the neighbours converted (with a dorner even!).

haha, it's ok super it's fine not to read all the posts all of the time!

Empty interesting! are you in a comparable region, price wise?