If you were planning a loft conversion…

[Kentlassie]

…what would your must dos/ do nots be? We are just about to start. Planning to have a master bedroom and ensuite.

Inspired by another thread. Thank you!

We have just finished one.

The builder was an idiot.

If I did it again, i would only take a personal recommendation for a builder. I would keep a closer eye on what was being done. I would take daily photos. I would get the builder to point out what had been done each day.
I would ask if I thought something wasn't quite right.
I would be there when building regs came.

I would call building regs myself and ask what intervals they would like to view the work at.

Sadly I have learnt all this from not having done any of it

As many windows as you can afford.
In our bedroom we have a bank of 3x2 at the front, and 2 at the back.
Once you are enjoying the room you forget the extra cost.

Think hard about window positioning to get extra head height either side of bed, and also above basin.

Go and see other loft conversions to get ideas.

It is really hard to judge what the headroom will be. It was definitely our most 'unknown' extension.

I would add legal cover to my house insurance too and ensure building work is covered

Get cover, make sure you have a contract, make sure you can afford double what they’ve quoted you!!

Having bought a house with a loft comversion...

Make sure you can get sensible stairs up there. You want to be able to get furniture up so very narrow, twisty or space-saving stairs aren't practical.

Check building regs inspections and then double check. Then pester the builder about them.

Storage. Add a couple of niches between wall batons, use eaves and above stair bulkhead for cupboards. Think about position of bed then sockets - try and avoid bed head under lowest slope of ceiling.

We put our door at the bottom of the stairs, so the landing was down there and we had a gallery style railing in the room. Made it much more open and light.

I'd consider air conditioning. We finished ours and were living in it in the summer of 2018 when it was very hot. 3 velux windows (even with blinds) and a south/west facing roof made it really warm and hard to sleep in the summer. Having an AC unit fitted at the time wouldn't have been destructive and even if it was rarely used it would have been amazing.

We did a hip to gable with large rear dormer, under permitted development. The street now has around 4-5 houses who have had it done, it really was worth it (we moved in with a poorly done loft conversion with space saver stairs and very low head height, made the house unsellable-I'd had my head turned by the rest of the house when did the viewing)

I have one with double former so echo having as much light as possible. Lots of storage if you can sacrifice the space. Space for seating.
Oversee the builders especially for the elements that are important to you.
Also check in with building regs.

Think about how you'll furnish it and where you'll want plug sockets. We just merrily went for each corner, but it would have been much better to have them where the bedside tables are and remove the need for extension leads.

And make sure you review your contact and that it is in line with what you verbally agreed. Maybe just our builder, but we had to argue everything and he was very good and selectively quoting bits to try and tell us we'd agreed a simpler/cheaper option.

Remember the rule about it will cost twice as much and take three times as long as you are quoted.

We got totally shafted by the contractor and are now having to sue to get our deposit money back for a job they never even started after messing us round for months.

Think about lighting carefully. We have a “dark” area which is in the corner of the front sloping ceiling next to the large velux where my dressing table is. It drives me mad, especially in winter. We’re getting out lighting redone next week, which is a pain, as I wish I’d realised how dark that corner would be.
Make sure you get properly opening windows in the mansard side - our builder put in windows that only open 50% of the way which is a real pain. We didn’t realise until it was too late.
Do very regular checks on progress- and push them for solutions as they’ll often take the easiest way out for them, which may not suit you.

The best advice I had was to do an accurate scale floor plan with all furniture in place to plan where you want sockets. Also, have a 2-way light switch in the loft so as you exit you can put the lights on in the floor below.

Don’t let the builder organise building control. The building control is working for you, to make sure the builders are doing it right. Built in storage is really helpful if you do have narrow stairs.

Aircon. Loft conversions get disgustingly hot in summer.

storage. whatever you’ve planned isn’t enough. Really think about making clever use of every space.

So many excellent suggestions, thank you!

I’ve sorted legal cover/ told home insurance company about the work. Stairs should be ok, we had the choice of 14 steeper steps or 15 ‘normal’ and have gone with 15. Builder is currently doing next door’s house and so far they are happy. He’s also been v considerate to us as neighbours, so fingers crossed he won’t mess us around.

We have a scale drawing with furniture on done by a friend who is an interior designer. Need to add plugs though.

2 way light switch is a genius idea. Will definitely add.

Air con and door at the bottom of the stairs added to my list to investigate. Not sure we have space on the landing for the door but will check. If not maybe a sliding/ pocket door in the bedroom. Need to also think more about storage.

@TeenDivided i’ve been thinking about whether to shell out for floor to ceiling windows/ doors in the dormer (rather than half height windows). sounds like the answer is yes…

Thanks again everyone. Really appreciate the suggestions!