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Property/DIY

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Original poster

hippipotami or anyone else with a loft conversion in surrey/west london, need recommedations

19 replies

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 13:07

I desperately need a couple of quotes to have a loft conversion done. We actually just want to do a storage room with velux windows no dormer, no compliance with all the building regs etc. We've had a quote from Charles Grosvenor of 13k inc vat which seemed about right to me (had a quote for a proper room up their with dormer of 26k) but I would like other quotes and any recommendation of a company to use would be fab

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Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 13:29

bump

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Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 14:37

there must be someone on line who can help?

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HairyMaclary · 07/02/2008 15:27

We have just signed up to a company called Econoloft. they seem really good, we are after a dormer extn of room and bathroom and their quote was similar to yours. they are a northern based company but do quite a lot down here. we re in surrey.

Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 15:52

thank you have contacted them but open to any/all suggestions!

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Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 17:06

bump hippi Ive just seen you

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Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 17:36

Econoloft won't do storage rooms argh!!!!!!!!!!

Why is it so hard to get someone to do something!

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Maidamess · 07/02/2008 17:38

Lots of people round my way (Kingston) have used A1 Lofts. We used Doran Brothers (based in London) and in the main, would recommend.

Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 17:40

thank you shall go and harrass them - I feel like sobbing just so cheesed off with how difficult it is to get a quote, I wonder if they think it will be really cheap, we know it isn't have been saving for 5 years to afford and want to get on with it.

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Maidamess · 07/02/2008 18:51

If you see anyone in your vicinity having work done to their house, ask the owner if they would recommend. It might be the type of job a local builder would do rather than a 'loft' company, who of course want to sell you the 'lifestyle'.

Have you considered the implications fo selling your house in the future with no planning regs for the loft space? Are you considering having stairs or just a ladder?

sugarpear · 07/02/2008 19:02

cargirl i will ask dh later he used to be a loft speacilist but got fed up with it and now does commercial plumbing.

I will ask if he knows any good ones in london areas. Also can give you advice on what to ask etc so you dont get ripped off by cowboys ie contracts payment schedules etc.

Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 19:11

maid, we will never be able to afford a bigger property we bought 5 years ago on 2 x full time salaries we now have 4 children, so by the time we could potentially afford the payments on a bigger mortgage they will be adults and kicked out flown the nest. We have a small 3 bed terrace so getting anything bigger is just mega bucks - probably 50-80k. It will have proper stairs and will be safe, we cannot sell it as a room but as the house was built without any storage it is something we need - we currently use the loft as storage and are up and down those ladders (which open into a bathroom) very frequently! All we are losing is an airing cupboard and some ceiling height space in the double bedroom were the top of the stairs will be. Can't have a conservatory as the postage stamp patio garden is very small and we have main drain cover directly outside our patio doors!

Sugarpea that would be fantastic.

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Maidamess · 07/02/2008 19:24

I think sooner ather than later in my area they are scrapping planning permission for loft conversions anyway. Not sure if this would affect you though.

Original poster

CarGirl · 07/02/2008 19:27

Well if you don't have a dormer put in you don't need it anyway is my understanding and certainly if it's not a habital room you don't (I think!!) We haven't got any other extensions of any sort either.

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sugarpear · 07/02/2008 21:27

my email addy is [email protected] if you want to email me dh said he will tell you exactly what to ask, what to look for and even look at quotes for you.

a lot of his work came from fixes lofts for people who had been completely ripped off. Even being in the building trade we found it hard finding good tradesmen when we had our extension done.

If your not going through planning and do not want to be able to sell the loft as an inhabital room. It should be quite straight forward and relitavly cheap. Dh can better advise you but it may work out cheaper to get individual quotes on each aspect of the construction.

Original poster

CarGirl · 08/02/2008 20:28

thank you have email you

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Original poster

CarGirl · 12/02/2008 16:15

I'm still looking for hippo!

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sugarpear · 12/02/2008 16:55

sorry dh's email was brief. Poor love has been v over worked.

If you do need anything else let me know and i'll reply on his behalf in more detail!

Original poster

CarGirl · 12/02/2008 18:52

Thanks so much, I actually emailed you again already. I've been recommended a site called ratedpeople.com (I think) so hopefully I may actually get someone to actually arrange & turn up to give me a quote. Sometimes I think I should just give up and do the bathroom & kitchen instead

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sugarpear · 14/02/2008 07:04

lol dh not home till weekend if his not working. will get him to email you in a lot more detail.

But imo the best way to find anything good is word of mouth. Does your school have a notice board? Or ask ht to put a little something in one of their weekly letters for you?

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