Loft Conversion- What's Involved?

[Frogpig]

Hi everyone, we have just moved into a beautiful Victorian semi with a large bathroom and small 3rd box room and had originally planned to swap the bathroom and bedroom for our second son to have a good sized room. On moving in, we really like the large bathroom and realise there could be good potential for a loft conversion. The head height is ample and there is already electrics in the loft and the landing has a large space for a staircase by the loft hatch.
Does anyone know what would be involved in converting this to a really basic habitable room with a velux window and is there any of it that we can do ourselves to save on costs (Husband is very good at DIY and has done bits and pieces in the past but nothing structural so would leave the big things to trades).
Thank you all in advance!

You have to employ a specialist firm who will have an architect. When we had our loft conversion done they had to bring in steel rafters to support the floor. There is no mess - all the work is done from outside, until they break through to make room for the stairs. Your husband could do the decorating? Everything has to be inspected by the council. What will you use the room for? If it is to be a bedroom you will need a loo, if not a shower, up there.

We are in the process if planning a loft conversion at the minute although we are having a dormer. Just waiting on architects final plans.

PP is correct, you also need to consider you will need fire doors on any escape route internal doors we are having to replace all ours except 2. Plus a new smoke alarm system.

When we moved in the people before us had added a window and bit of boarding and a light - I think the son used to use it as a desk. The stairs were still pulled down. The room wasnt that great though and we quickly filled it up.

We now have a proper loft conversion

I think budget is the most important starting point

Thanks everyone. We will be using the room as a bedroom. Is a toilet necessary for the room or just convenience? I'm just hoping for a simple bedroom with staircase and whatever is necessary to comply with building regulations to ensure its safe.

I would get a builder round for quotes.

We have an ensuite - a dormer where you basically remove most and rebuild is actually easier and then an ensuite isnt that much trouble and adds a lot of value.

If your husband is good at DIY once the structure is up then the tiling, painting, carpentry can be done.

If you want a bedroom you really do have to do it I think properly

Thanks all for your comments. I can't get hold of any builders at the moment, seems they're all booked up so not taking new enquiries but I'll keep trying. Thanks again!

No you don’t! Mines a bedroom, full building regulations for the same, smoke alarms, fire doors, structural beams, escape windows etc. no bathroom or loo.