Loft conversions - your experiences and advice please

[Equimum]

We are in the early stages of looking into getting a loft conversion in our unlisted Victorian cottage. We know the previous owners considered it, so know there is sufficient height and a practical route for the stairs. We also know we are limited to Velux windows.

We are hoping to get a double bedroom and en-suite up there, but not looking for an overly high-end finish. We also won’t need to use it immediately, so can decorate and potentially fit the bathroom at the later stage (as long as the plumbing is all ready).

So, if you have done similar, are there any lessons you learned, anything you would have done different and, if you have done this relatively recently, how much did you spent?

TIA

Sorry I can’t answer but am following with interest. Why are you limited to velux?

We’ve just had a loft conversion of our Victorian terrace. We did gave a dormer at the back so have our room, a good double wit small en-suite and a room for my son at the front with 2 large velux windows. He has good floor space but limited ceiling height. Cost us 46k plus VAT for the building work.

Insulate
Insulate
Insulate
Then insulate some more

@Equimum we have a loft conversion done before we moved in Edwardian property, freezing in winter and roasting in summer - my son has it as his room and he complains for half the year (spring and autumn are ok)

Thanks everyone. Yes, we will be heavily investing in insulation. We had a loft room at our old house (done before we move there), and had issues with temperature, although ones we were able to cope with.

m0therofdragons we have been advised this is all that’s acceptable due to living in a Conservation area (our neighbours had to stick to this a few year back). We will double check, although the attic is actually quite wide, so we should have enough space without anyway.

Tulipvase thank-you for information on the price. Can I ask what region you are in please? We live rurally in the SE so seem to get hit with a double whammy on price hikes!

We are about 6 miles from Oxford. It is a pricey area, sadly!

When planning your living space, put your bathroom in the reduced head height space. You spend the least amount of time in there, so it makes sense to put it there even if it compromises your ideal layout. Obviously you’ll need to put the shower somewhere you can stand up.

Sound insulation between the floor and the ceiling of the rooms underneath. We didn’t do this and our 5 year old already sounds like an elephant up there.

Air conditioning if you don’t often open the windows because of noise and air pollution.

Yes to good insulation!
If you can, factor in storage under the eaves. Put access doors in the spot where you can easily manoeuvre large items into the storage areas without, for example, having to move the bed first.

If you're putting a shower cubicle in your ensuite, make sure you measure its height as well as the dimensions of the shower tray, and then work out if it will fit after boarding and plastering. That one nearly caught us out and we had just a few mm to spare!

Invest in a Dyson hot & cool air unit. Worth its wait in gold on hot summer and cold winter nights!

I aim watching with interest, I have a loft conversion to begin in April. I have read previous MN posts and the tops have been great

Ours cost about £30k + vat. Typical 1930s semi, side and rear dormer part way across the back , front veluxes for bedroom and ensuite, French doors and Juliet balcony at the back. Had to get pp for the rear dormer and, as we're not overlooked, it went through easily.

Tulipvase thanks - hopefully that’s a useful figure for us to be keeping in mind then.

Thanks everyone, these are great tips. I’ll definitely look into the Dyson thing and think about positioning eves access for big items. That’s also a good point to think about the shower height!

SallyOMalley your conversion sounds amazing! It’s reassuring that it didn’t cost an absolute fortune too.