any one had a loft conversion?

[dissle]

Just a plain simple one with stairs and a dormer?

Got some questions for you.

We had a loft conversion done in 2004 and it cost us about £35k which included everything and gave us 2 bedrooms and a small bathroom. We lost a small single bedroom to make way for the stairs on the first floor though.

We used a specialist loft conversion company who drew up the plans and submitted them to planning for us. We definitely had to have it as we had 3 small dormers on the back and Velux windows at the front.

We did have some objections from the neighbours but they weren't close enough for them to be affected by what we are doing - I think the distance was 50m and they were the the length of our garden and theirs away. Apparently they objected on the grounds of privacy. We had to put the planning application notice up where people could see it and find out where to complain but as we live in the corner of a cul-de-sac that was a bit pointless imo.

We had no other extensions except a conservatory which I think had planning permission - not really sure though as we didn't build it.

The worst thing was getting the building regs passed. They kept checking as the work was done and kept ordering more and more steel to be put in but it probably took 13 weeks in the end despite being promised 6 weeks although the end the builders weren't there everyday.

Hope that helps. Let me know if something doesn't make sense.

thanks neicie, it is the neighbours that i am worrying about. The building regs im not so worried about because it has to right and sound so we will do whatever they ask us to do.
We think it will cost us about £18k for the loft and conservatory. we are just sorting the money out.

PippiLangstrump - do u mind saying who are going for.

Im just waiting for A1 to come and give a quote but we've also had one from Topflight and 1st choice. I also looked through the old threads and saw about A1 but Ive also seen that they are doing 3 different houses very close to me.

(We're hoping to have a big master bedroom woth full bathroom ensuite. The bedroom should be about 18 feet with lots of storage so hopefully worth it. Ive been thinking about it for ages and couldnt decide if it was better to extend or move but nothing we could afford has come on the market in the area we want so i think we'll go for it.)

We're having our garage done as well - but local builder just doing that.

Can I ask a question too? If you are using an architect when do you involve them? (and when do they start costing lots)?
We are thinking about a loft conversion - we have a massive loft so are hoping to get a bedroom, dressing room and shower room up there..other than get specialist companies round to quote I don't know where to start.

the joiner who came to look at our loft asked that we get our plans drawn up by an architect, then show him in order to give us a price.

the other joiner says that he organises the architect. from that i presume that the architect is brought in quite early in the project.
not sure of cost...when we had an architect draw up plans for our extension it was abou £200. probably more now as that was 7 yeaars ago.