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Original poster

So we’ve just had a loft conversion done, head height over the stairs should be 2m it’s actually 195cm, the building inspector said he’s willing to let it go if we are …..

42 replies

Helpmeiamstressed · 16/09/2022 14:56

Which is fine and allows us to get the building regs certificate etc

bit what I’m worrying about is what if at some point we wanted to sell it
sure we have the building ref certificate
but what if the buyer got a survey done?

also I have no idea how this can now be resolved without huge huge issues

please help advice me what to do

OP posts:
17to35 · 16/09/2022 14:59

You've been handed a get out of jail card. Grasp it and say thank you.
No surveyor is going to measure the head height on the stairs if the loft conversion is signed off. They will probably do a desktop or drive-by.
How many humans are over 195cm tall? If they are, they will be used to ducking!

Needtostaypositive · 16/09/2022 15:00

What do you plans specify and how have the builders/architect got it wrong?

Original poster
Helpmeiamstressed · 16/09/2022 15:01

Plans state 2m head height

OP posts:

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Original poster
Helpmeiamstressed · 16/09/2022 15:01

Yes that is my initial gut reaction

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 16/09/2022 15:06

It’s legal anyway. Loft conversion staircases are minimum of 1.9 metres. So yours is fine.

the Building inspector was (imho) just being a bit officious and showing off. He couldn’t have not passed it anyway.

Original poster
Helpmeiamstressed · 16/09/2022 15:29

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 16/09/2022 15:06

It’s legal anyway. Loft conversion staircases are minimum of 1.9 metres. So yours is fine.

the Building inspector was (imho) just being a bit officious and showing off. He couldn’t have not passed it anyway.

Is it ? As all I can find online is saying 2m

so you have any links at all

I’m praying that is the case

OP posts:
queenatom · 16/09/2022 15:42

If it's signed off, no-one down the line is going to look behind that.

watingroom2 · 16/09/2022 15:46

You can add a slope to a ceiling - so that you get the 2 meters

To be honest - i would ask the builders to rectify it so it is 2m - people are only getting taller

So we’ve just had a loft conversion done, head height over the stairs should be 2m it’s actually 195cm, the building inspector said he’s willing to let it go if we are …..
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 16/09/2022 15:48

It’s in UK building regs.

watingroom2 · 16/09/2022 15:48

Unless the head height issue is below the roof in which case they allow up to 1.8m

Original poster
Helpmeiamstressed · 16/09/2022 15:53

It’s not under a slopping roof

OP posts:
Dorisbonson · 16/09/2022 16:07

It's fine if you sell it. The solicitor will want to see building regs completion certificate for the work. Valuation surveyor won't care and won't notice.

PemberleyMoon · 16/09/2022 16:09

When we bought ours the loft conversion was clearly poorly done. Bannisters and door height not to regulation. We had it measured, we complained, we got a lot of money knocked off.

Yep, buyers care.

NothingIsWrong · 16/09/2022 16:10

Take it. We were made to drop the top step to get the extra 5cm. Once you have the certificate, I doubt anyone will check...

Just1thing · 16/09/2022 16:14

Get the certificate, smile and relax!

stuntbubbles · 16/09/2022 16:18

Just ask that buyers and surveyors take their shoes off on viewings, that should get you a couple of centimetres grace.

Hotandbothereds · 16/09/2022 16:19

Take the certificate, say thank you and don’t worry about it again, you have the paperwork to say it’s passed.

Nobody is likely to go round measuring the ceiling height, they’d ask for the building regs certificate and tick the box.

Our old house had a dodgy loft conversation with no building regs at all, I paid for indemnity insurance, as did the person who I then sold it to, nobody particularly cared.

Wingingit15 · 16/09/2022 16:33

What has your builder said about the fact they’ve not worked to plans?

peridito · 16/09/2022 16:40

Just ask that buyers and surveyors take their shoes off on viewings, that should get you a couple of centimetres grace. genius!

Honestly ,try not to worry if it's signed off that's the main thing .

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 16/09/2022 16:45

watingroom2 · 16/09/2022 15:46

You can add a slope to a ceiling - so that you get the 2 meters

To be honest - i would ask the builders to rectify it so it is 2m - people are only getting taller

I'd get the slope added to the ceiling so you get the 2 meters too.

I had my loft conversion done over/after lockdown with lots of savings (and re-mortgaging) and I deliberately went for a higher spec/better builders as I wanted it to last and look good.

A neighbour of mine had a really bad loft conversion done and when she was looking to sell (decided to stay put) several buyers who viewed it commented on it as they wanted the extra room/space as the houses are small.

J0y · 16/09/2022 16:47

I see this all the time. "3 bed house with converted attic space"
It sells for same as 4 bed but they can't call it a 4 bed house

Original poster
Helpmeiamstressed · 16/09/2022 16:59

JustHereWithMyPopcorn

thanks for link but that seem to show a slopping roof also

Thanks for everyone trying to calm me down I’m honestly so so stressed
I’m not eatting sleeping
been a horrible time

OP posts:
titchy · 16/09/2022 17:04

I read that diagram as needing 1.9 at mid point of stair width where ceiling is sloped, and 1.8 elsewhere. Regardless you have 1.95 so you're clear. It meets regs and you've got it signed off.

myyellowcar · 16/09/2022 17:06

Let it go, take the certificate, never think about it again