tips on getting a loft conversion done?

[time4tea]

hello

we're about to start the entire loft conversion process - from choosing a builder/loft company/architect onwards. any tips on doing the whole thing as painlessly as possible, and choosing good people to do it -

especially I'd like tips on what sort of questions should we be considering/asking when choosing professionals to help us with this?

we live in a late victorian terrace in Hackney, will probably ask for a big bedroom with an ensuite shower-room/toilet.

thanks - feel a bit daunted and would appreciate MN guidance

Our builder provided the architect and liaised with the Local Authority, so we only needed to make one choice.

I think we had invited 3 builders to quote on the job, and picked the one that seemed most professional in their quote. It's a while ago now, but they pretty much all quoted a 'standard' job, eg: room, stairs, bathroom, windows, so many plugs and radiators, because the specifics aren't known until the architect does the plans.

Hi

In our experience the best way of doing it is to firstly get plans done by someone employed by you - you can then go through the options and decide what you want rather than a loft company trying to influence what you should have... Then get the plans submitted to planning for either planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness (permitted development) and building control for a full plans submission (much safer). Once these have been agreed get quotes from builders and loft conversion companies showing them the plans.

Also factor in the party wall notice that you need to give to two neighbours if in a terraced house or one neighbour if semi-detatched. This can be one of the worst parts of loft conversions because you have to give at least two months notice before you start work. Your neighbours also have the right to get their own surveyors in and fees can be £1800 for drawing up an award between yourself and one neighbour.

The party wall award can seriously delay your work and I would not advise trusting neighbours who say they have no problems with your work until they have signed the form agreeing to the work... A lot say they agree and then a day before you start work they change their minds...

M