Loft conversion and possible extension

[Bananamanfan]

We are a family of 5 in a biggish 3 bed semi (new build). We need a 4th bedroom and plan to convert the loft. I don't think we would need a dormer. I would also like an extension downstairs to create a small play room.
I want to make sure that maximise light in the downstairs of the house and i'm thinking an architect would be a good idea. I'm thinking of a budget of around £50k.

Has anyone done similar? Would contacting an architect be a good first step?

Whereabouts in the country are you? We're having a loft conversion which I've posted about before and was surprised by the cost. We also looked into a small extension and there's no way we'd get it all done for 50k. We are in Surrey though.

We spoke to an architect about the extension and he said there's no need for an architect for a loft conversion - a loft specialist can do everything cheaper. So if you decide to only do the loft, I would just look for some loft conversion companies to come and talk to you and give you a quote.

We are in Norfolk. I suspected that the cost of loft conversions are going up at an alarming rate. Maybe we will have to concentrate for now and see how space an extra large bedroom frees up downstairs.
What are you having done in your loft? How many windows? Bathroom?

North West here - just extended a 3 bed semi to get a 4 bed. Looked at all various options of loft + single storey extension, double storey side & rear, double storey just rear extension. Sorry to be negative but unless you're in a very cheap part of the country, or have contacts / relatives in the trade, there is no chance you can do it for £50k (in my experience).

Sorry for the awful typos!

We're just having a straight forward conversion - no dormer or bathroom. 4 velux windows. The quote was 35k. I was shocked but have come round to realising its normal now, especially in London and the south east.

Thanks Sleeping I think i will go for a loft conversion specialist for an initial quote.

The cost will depend entirely on the location, but 50k for a loft conversion AND an extension does not sound realistic to me. Remember that the simplest of loft conversions will need a new staircase, and cutting and reinforcing of the attic floor structure. Similarly, the simplest of extensions will need structural support to link it to the existing (any dodgy workmanship and you will have to suffer leaks and draughts for ever more!) and breaking of the existing wall to connect to the new part.

Agree with pp, that a loft conversion will not need an architect, unless a dormer window is intended on the front facade (in which case, planning permission will be required).
I would recommend hiring an architect for the design of the extension. They will bring an expertise and a wealth of ideas that will make your extension seem like a seamless part of your house. We say in the industry that the best extensions are the ones where you would never guess that it didn't always exist!

As above, in our experience it seems to vary with location. At the moment we're in Bristol and looked at a couple of architect/builders for some work on our place - these guys at Make have just blogged about budget and cost of projects which is quite an enlightening quick read here www.makegroup.co.uk/971-2/

I started a thread on here a few weeks ago regarding some architect quotes I had for a loft conversion and whether they were reasonable or not. Just as an FYI I'm in Essex and the architect is charging me £2200 plus council & application fees; by all accounts a good price.

Ps. I should be getting some quotes soon for the actual loft conversion so I'll let you know once I have them. I'm getting a side dorma for the stairs plus a full width dorma at the back of the house for a master bedroom plus ensuite.

Ok so we're.in Surrey and our loft totalled £50k fully finished but that did include a new boiler.

Dormer, hip to gable and ensuite up there .

We currently rent a house and the landlord said when we moved in he would always be open to selling it to us (he owns loads of properties)
The house is a flat roofed house but when he was building houses next door (these houses had huuuge gardens so in the land that this and next door (ajoining 3 bed semis) he’s has over the years built 4 big 3 story 5 bed houses so to blend these in he added pitched roofs with dormer windows with a view at some point to concert and add 2 bedrooms and a bathroom to our house and also same to next door.

Anyway we have been thinking about whether it’s best to buy this house and convert or to just buy another house that’s suitable.
As there are already dormers in and the floor is very reinforced already what would the rest of the conversion cost - cutting a hole in ceiling, putting in stairs and then plastering/stud walls/electronics and plumbing??