Converting loft in to storage space, costs please!

[TheDetective]

Has anyone done a very simple loft conversion? All I want is it boarding in the mid section, a light fitting, and the loft entrance being made double the size (its tiny, can only fit very small bags of items at present! I also want a pull down ladder fitting. We live in a small 3 bedroom semi, size of area needing boarding is approx 4m x 2.5m.

Budget is about £500, and need it doing by someone who knows what they are doing. Is it do-able?!

There's loads of firms round here that do that, you should easily get it done for your budget.

Thank you! That gives me hope!

Just a little fed up of having to throw everything away, or give it away because we don't have the room to store it! We only have a shed, which isn't ideal storage for many things!

We are planning a baby this year, so will want somewhere to store all the baby things for any subsequent babies! I had to get rid of all of my DS's, due to lack of space!

It's probably worth getting your loft insulation upgraded first, if that hasn't been done recently. There are usually grants for it. It's a pain if you want to do it after, as you have to empty loft out... Just a thought!

You would only need an 'expert' for the hatch and ladder part. Tis very easy to lay insulation and the boardings (they fit together and you just screw them into joists).

We paid about £200 for the middle of the loft boarded and a loft ladder fitted about 4 yrs ago.

Try not to call it a Loft Conversion. It's a Loft Storage Area.

You ought to upgrade the loft insulation first or at the same time (you'll never do it afterwards). You existing loft timbers are probably only 3 or 4 inches deep. To get extra insulation depth, you can either counter-batten them, with timbers running at right angles, which also helps spread the weight, and lay insulation between them; or you can get Knauf rigid insulation boards that you lay on the existing timbers, and screw your flooring down through the rigid foam into the old timbers.

As materials, the Knauf boards are more expensive, but if you are paying someone to do the work, it may save carpenter's time.

The recommended depth of insulation in a loft is now 230mm (ten inches-ish)

Tell the builders you want them to use only screws, not nails, or the hammering may encourage you ceiling to crack. Rather than chipboard flooring, 18mm WBP ply is very preferable. When screwed down it makes a very rigid deck. It costs more than chipboard. Chipboard is guaranteed not to crack or fall apart until after your cheque has cleared.

A good loft ladder alone costs about £120 - £150 to buy.