Failed loft conversion

[Failedloftconversion]

Name change for privacy

I am absolutely panicking as I type this.

I recently had another baby and needed an extra room. I had plans drawn up by an architect for a loft conversion, a report for the Steel calculations completed by a structural engineer and 7 quotes from builders. The architect initially stated on the plans that the loft will be 2m and bedrooms 2.1 as per minimum requirements, bedrooms on first floor needed to be lowered. I didn’t think that it was worth converting on these measurements. When I double checked these measurements with the architect, as I believed ceiling heights would be higher, he replied through text message that the loft would be 2.1 and bedrooms 2.35 ‘at least’ and what was written on the plans was for minimum requirement purposes only. Although these measurements were not great I accepted them and I had several conversations with the builder before work commenced specifically about the ceiling heights. He reassured me that they could be achieved.

The builder has since ripped my ceilings down and is now stating that there is less head height then initially believed and he thinks I will get about 2.2 in bedrooms and 2.1 in loft. I have also paid a 10% deposit. I am really upset and angry by this and I feel I was misinformed. This head height is not useful and this project is costing me a huge amount of money which I have remortgaged for. The builder has stated that he could put everything back as it was such as the ceiling and beams and charge me for work completed and materials brought but this could cost me a lot of money.

I don’t want to risk getting into an argument with the builder as I cannot afford for him to walk out on site leaving my roof exposed! but i am also pissed off that my house has been destroyed and potentially devalued.

What would you do?

It's not the builders fault so I dunno what you'd be arguing with him for?

I'd be annoyed with the architect as that's their actual job.

So to be clear what size of bedrooms will you have in the loft? Could you put a dormer on?

I think 2.1 is fine. My husband is 1.95cm and he is tall and he'd have 15cm above his head so 2.1 I'd say go for it

The loft is what you'd expected, but you're losing 15cm in the bedrooms, is that right? I'd go back to the architect - it's not the builders fault, but I wouldn't assume it's a wasted effort if the ceiling is 15cm lower than you expected, personally...

My builder is great, but I’m pissed off that he has been to the house twice to check the job before work commenced, reassured me that head height could be achieved, ripped my ceilings down and is now reporting that what I wanted can’t be done. I have paid several thousands in deposit and lost a fitted wardrobe in the process.

We are adding a dormer. With a dormer the loft would be 2.1 and bedrooms on first floor
2.2 (He will try to get them 2.3 in first floor bedrooms but no guarantees).

@mobear

The loft is what you'd expected, but you're losing 15cm in the bedrooms, is that right? I'd go back to the architect - it's not the builders fault, but I wouldn't assume it's a wasted effort if the ceiling is 15cm lower than you expected, personally...

But she originally thought the bedrooms would be 2.1 and they will actually be 2.2 so I don't see it as a loss if she was going to proceed anyway?

I would still go ahead, both heights are fine.
I see what you mean about the builder then if he came twice.

So your first floor ceilings need lowering but will still be 2.2, while your loft height will be 2.1? Yes? That's fine! Our loft is about that and it's great!

@titchy
That’s correct

I would still go forward. My loft is really low. I think just about 2m or a bit over. DH is 6’3 and he is fine with it. The space we got is amazing.
We lost 10cm ceiling height in the recent extension. I honest don’t notice at all.
Just avoid chandeliers and star jumps.

Sounds fine to me. 2:2 is 7 foot I think

Yikes I wouldn't have accepted that height. But I don't understand the difference between 'loft and 'bedroom' - isn't it going to be one and the same?
I'd go back to your architect and ask where the crucial .15 (6") has gone!

@Changingwiththetimes

Yikes I wouldn't have accepted that height. But I don't understand the difference between 'loft and 'bedroom' - isn't it going to be one and the same? I'd go back to your architect and ask where the crucial .15 (6") has gone!

No, loft is the roof space which could be made into anything and bedroom is the first floor up from ground floor which has the....bedrooms!

@Changingwiththetimes

Yikes I wouldn't have accepted that height. But I don't understand the difference between 'loft and 'bedroom' - isn't it going to be one and the same? I'd go back to your architect and ask where the crucial .15 (6") has gone!

It's gone because the ceilings are being lowered. Why wouldn't you accept the height? No one is that tall, still gives space above and it give the ops house extra square meterage = house more value.