loft conversions

[Rhiannon]

I'd love to know the name of the company, not Choice was it as the same has just happened to us and we're in North London too.

We have been thinking of a loft conversion for god knows how long and have been messed about by Saxon, A & W (who wrote his quote on a fag packet). Econoloft managed to write a quote (not cheap though).

It baffles me that something which seems straightforward should cost such a lot. No foundations, no cement, no bricks! We don't even want any plumbing whatsoever and the price is still extortionate.

Good luck.

Star, lovely holiday thank you but a bit too hot, nearly 100 every day. But the parks weren't too busy so we went on loads of rides and of course did lots of swimming, sunbathing and shopping the three perfect ess's for me!!

Ours is just finished, the builders are Gods, no fuss, no aggro, they even clean up after them and make their own tea. Trim lofts 0208 500 8283 they're based in Woodford and are booked until next year so only ring if you're prepared to wait. We waited 13 months, but it's been worth it. R

Lil, £50K does sound fantastically high but if you are in an affluent area some do try it on. I would say £25 to £30 K more reasonable going by what my DH says who is in the building trade. He has recently had spec through to quote on and architect lists top of range bathroom suite etc which client says she doesn't want so cost savings already being made.

Don't know where I got that number from for Trim Lofts, but apologies as it is wrong. The right number is 020 8989 1006. Sorry. R

Rhiannon, I am finally getting around to sorting out our loft conversion - can you tell me how much you paid for your loft? It would be v. helpful to have a real figure to work from. Thanks a lot.
Lil

Lil, I don't know if you live eg in a semi, but one of my friends is borrowing some plans which a neighbour had drawn up for her identical loft...haven't read through the thread properly, so forgive me if you've already got plans.

Lil

We have a staircase which dog legs round above our existing one then a landing at the top about 3ft x 3ft

There are two rooms off the landing,to the left and right both measuring about 16 x 14.

There are 3 dormers along the back each 6ft wide which means we've lost some head height in each room.

There are two velux windows at the front and under eaves storage.

The whole thing including the electrics and those little recessed lights cost £22,500.00.

We got 6 quotes and this was the cheapest and the only one recommended, one company wanted £42K!

Hope this is useful. R

OOh, the spacing has gone all strange. R

Rhiannon that's great. The only company we've got a quote from said 42k as well (excluding sanitaryware!).It was a real shock. I will keep getting quotes then.

Lil, my husband is a builder and does mostly loft conversions (in expensive london). 42k sounds VERY expensive unless you are converting one humungous loft and lining it in marble. Most of the ones hubby has done recently have been pretty straight forward semi or terraced houses (a bit smaller than rhiannon's) including electrics and a simple bathroom. He has been charging between 20k and 30k depending on the associated roof work (ie dormers and or raising a portion of the roof). The cost of getting the plans and structural calculations as well as building control can be a few thousand on top of that.

Thanks Sofia, I wish I told him to sod off now- bloody cheek.
I don't suppose your husband strays as far as Surrey does he??????

We had a loft conversion done a few years ago by Econoloft, we gained a large bedroom and family bathroom. We paid roughly £30k including decorating. We are extremely happy and would recc them. I would advise to get a few quotes as Econoloft weren't the cheapest or the most expensive either.