Half arsed loft conversion - how much?

[MissHonkover]

Want to make our loft into a useable room (not a bedroom). We don't have room for a permanent staircase (teeny terrace) so will be accessing it via a pull-down ladder. We plan to do the following:

Move loft hatch into a different room than its current location
Install pull down ladder
Put in Velux window
Put in electrics & lighting
Put in flooring
Carpet
Insulate and plaster board roof
Paint
Undecided as to whether to add radiator (connected to existing GCH) or use plug in heater eg oil filled radiator

The condition of the roof is OKish, may need a couple of very minor repairs.

Any ideas as to cost?
Thank you ta!

Thanks. I love MN, I'm now MUCH more informed than I was this morning!

So, if we need more space, there seem to be a few choices. In ascending order of expense, am I right in thinking it goes like this:
flooring in loft + window + basic lighting
garden room
proper loft conversion
single storey ground floor extension

don't worry too much about over complicating things, op.

what you have planned has nothing to do with councils or planning or regs....it's your own home and you're planning some small changes.

after decorating and a few home comforts up there i reckon £2000 should be easily enough...folding ladder, radiator, velux, boardings, electrics etc.

i would definitely be aware of risks regarding the remote possibility of fire...maybe new detectors to give maximum notice if anyone's up there.

you should always have an escape route planned from anywhere in your home...just in case of the very worst happening, but don't waste time/energy/resources on anything other than common sense home safety.

of course you won't be able to officially call it an extra room, but if you do ever sell the house, people will make their own minds up when they come round to see...it'll be a nice little bonus to them.

in the meantime, enjoy the extra space...good luck with it.

Thanks. Yes, I think I was starting to get my knickers in a twist there. The fact is we have lots to do on our house, and not much cash, so I need to keep plans realistic.

It is possible to strengthen the joists by doubling up especially if it is going to be an occasional room only. They can attach further timbers I have done this and the floor has been solid and when I have sold the surveyors didn't really comment and it had a desk in it.

Op, please read this.. www.above-it-all.co.uk/house_builders/regulations_planning.htm

www.above-it-all.co.uk/house_builders/regulations_planning.htm

Thanks!

Hi MissHonkover,
Have you got any further with your halfarsed loft conversion?? I am trying to exactly the same thing. The problem I am now concerned about is putting boarding straight on top of the joists. It seems this is not good structurally for the house???I live in Liverpool and there is a company (which says it is the only one in the North West?? - who install a raised floor so its not pressing directly onto the joists. But they charge upwards of 6 or 7 k ? I asked about a partial half arsed conversion ie boarding and insulation but they strongly recommend not boarding right up to the edges as it doesn't allow the room to breathe and NOT spending any amount of time up there if the insulation isn't covered completely due to breathing in particles of fibre glass. I feel very confused also?? There are many adverts about converting the attic into a games room / study but I don't know if they address this issue of not boarding directly onto floorboards. Hope I've not confused you even more but would appreciate your latest findings? Thanks v much