Loft conversion - where to start

[pantalonmagique]

We live in a very standard terraced house. We want to get a loft conversion but I'm not quite sure where to start. The houses round here are really similar and loads of them have lofts so I imagine there are a number of fairly standard configurations that can be done. We have an idea of roughly what we want. Do I need an architect? Or is a structural engineer enough? Can anyone advise on the benefits or either please?

I’d approach an architect to look at loft space and see what’s feasible.

There are building regs for safety so an architect would understand these. Eg headroom, stairs, fire doors etc. Just because others have them, it doesn’t mean they are habitable spaces.

A design and build company that specialises in loft extensions might be best for you. A one stop shop from concept to completion.

I would start with an architect (official one, some people offer 'architectural services' which is not the same) I would expect them to come up with a design/layout and probably involve a structural engineer to produce all the calculated loads etc.
With this I would ask the Planning Department if it need planning permission (it maybe within permitted development rights) and then contact Building Control (or whatever they are called) as it is important that it is signed through the all the stages of construction. Absolutely essential when you come to sell.

We used a RICS chap who also got quotes from builders and reveiwed/approved their staged invoices. We paid extra for this service.

Same here. Absolutely worth the money, not that much more £££ but an architect has knowledge, contacts, insurance and a professional reputation to protect.

Thanks everyone. Architect it is.

I used a specialist loft conversion company. I had a few quotes and various designs, and once I'd chosen the one I liked, I had no more admin to do. They sorted everything - planning, building regs, fire regs, deliveries, skips. So much easier to just have an expert coordinate everything.

I was brave and knocked on a couple of doors and asked who their builder and architect was, if they'd recommend them etc. One neighbour invited me in for a nosey around which was kind, and discussed their pros and cons.

Please note that architects don't know the price of building works so if you state that your budget is £80,000, don't be surprised when the builders start quoting £100,000-120,000 once your drawings are back.

I would ask your neighbours who they used. I’d avoid using an architect as they charge through the nose. A competent and experienced technician will provide a design for a fraction of a RIBA architect’s fees.

Ours was architect designed but built by a loft conversion specialist. Next time I would just leave it to the loft conversion company, honestly they were brilliant. Our down the road neighbour just had theirs designed, approved and built by them and it was all much easier as it was a one stop shop.

Have a look on your council's planning portal to get an idea of what your neighbours have done, and if you like the look of one particular arrangement you could always ask them if they have any problems with it or if it's perfect. You can also see on there who drew up the plans.

I did exactly this and was amazed at the variety of configurations that had been achieved from two roads of identical speculative Victorian London terraces. Got some recommendations and went with experienced builder who had done three of them and been around for a couple of decades, and used the same architectural draughtsman ( who I think probably did more or less and paste of the plans, after he had been around to check). He submitted the plans and the builder did everything else, apart from me selecting some finishing items.

My BIL is an architect and said he thought we had made the right choice for our circumstances.

Use a loft conversion turn key company if you have actually seen and/or spoken to end users. Good ones concentrate on what they are doing and will have good ideas and maybe several teams operating at once, so can substitute in if there are delays. Bad ones have great marketing but can also be cowboys - my next door neighbour has had no end of trouble with his house, extended by a very upmarket presenting team but totally incompetent. There was a complete circus with a conversion just down the road last year - insufficient support to the roof, which had to come off and in three times before building control and insurance were happy. This was a company that has been around awhile, advertises with beautifully staged photos advertorials in local glossy lifestyle magazines and puts shiny boards outside their latest project.

Whichever way you go, have an idea of what you want, though be prepared to take on good suggestions - use Rightmove to look at current or sold houses that are the same as yours and see their configurations, paying attention to the actual measurements on the floor plans.

Also, if you currently use the loft for storage, start relocating/ selling stuff sooner rather than later - a clear space can help you envisage better.