Attic conversion?

[booyaka54321]

I have a two bedroom terraced and ideally need to have three, I like the area I am in. So rather move house, I was thinking of an attic conversion but have no idea where to start?

Do i need planning permission, how much does this cost, how long does it take, would you rather have moved than the building work?

Google local builders specialising in loft conversions and get them around

any of your neighbours had done? Speak to them and get recs for builders

brace yourself for the costs. It will be tens upon tens of thousands of pounds

It may need planning permission, but most dormer window type extensions can be built as permitted development (as long as they are at the back of the property, it's not a Listed Building and not in a specially protected area). If any of the neighbouring properties have had something similar done you could check the local Council website planning pages to see if they put in a full planning application. Your architect should be able to advise as well.

Planning Permission - Loft conversion - Planning Portal

You will need approval under the Building regulations.

We've just had it done (SW England).

You'll need to find an architect to start with, make sure they're sufficiently qualified. You'll want full plans to be able to pass onto builders and building regulations/planning. The architect will be able to tell you if you need planning permission (we didn't, but we did need building regulations to classify it as a third bedroom). MAKE SURE YOU GET THIS BIT RIGHT OR YOU ARE IN FOR A PICKLE.

Next, get some quotes from different builders (some will try and massively rip you off). Price very much depends on what you have done - we initially planned for a dorma but this became harder to get through building regulations so we ended up without a dormer but still a very large double room with eaves storage. This cost a total of 25k, if we were to have had the dorma, we were looking at 43k.

Do NOT be ripped off. People just take the easy option thinking that it's the only option. It's not, hunt around. Find someone that you trust, ask for recommendations locally etc.

That £25k include heating, decoration and carpeting?

We're in a similar situation and are half way through an attic conversion at the moment. It hasn't been particularly disruptive at all. Definitely not the same level of hassell as a house move. The builder quoted 5 weeks to complete (We are currently on week 3 and I definitely think it will be done within the 5 weeks)

My best advise would be find a builder you trust. We didn't go with the cheapest quote but with the person we felt we could put our trust in. So far so good.

we recently had one done on our bungalow, put two good sized bedrooms up there. Took about 12 weeks, but lots of steel was needed. We went for a company who specialise in loft conversions, they offered the whole package, drawing plans and organising building regs to be signed off. cost around £60 k SE. Very pleased with the end result

Yep 😊 👍

Well we had wooden herringbone but yes, all inclusive of cost overall.

Sorry...but it is not my understanding that that you need an architect for a PD loft conversion...



Loft conversation companies can show you the most common configurations and you can choose what you want from these without paying the fees associated with a totally unnecessary architect


If you want a super-bespoke configuration - get an architect



If you want a bog standard off-the-shelf configuration - you do not need an architect

We looked at this in detail, sometimes it's not possible to officially sign off an attic conversion as an official bedroom, if it doesn't have enough head room (mainly an issue when you sell) - so have a look down the street, if neighbours have done it, likely it'll be OK (our headroom was too tight, so it couldnt get building regs and that put us off, as itd still be a 3 bed not a 4 bed in our house just with a nicely done attic space). Ask the builders round, make sure they confirm they can get the building regs signed off, so it'll definitely be an official bedroom/appropriate sleeping space.
Gather your quotes, look at previous work, they should advise on planning (normally not needed).
You shouldn't need to move out, they normally do all the work up there, before they knock through and build the staircase, so other than the noise there isn't much dust or disruption.

You'll need to lose space from somewhere to put the stairs up to the loft.

And, as the conversion will be on the second floor, you will need the stairs to exit into a separate corridor on the first floor, and separate lobby on the ground floor, ie not to open into a room or open plan area. This is for fire regs and is non-negotiable.

So, in other words, every room needs to be able to shut its door to the stairs/corridor/landing on the first floor, and the downstairs lobby must exit direct to the outside, not an inner area.

In order to count as a habitable room, the loft will also need a fire door to the stairs, which cannot open onto the stairs, it must be a little landing. So that also takes space from the loft.

ETA: Unless you can put the fire door to the loft space on the first floor landing.

Moving costs will be in the region of £20,000 which could be offset against the cost of the conversion. If you’re happy where you are, have the room for a second staircase and the head height in your attic space, it could be a good option for you. Most areas will allow a dormer to the rear of the property with no planning permission, providing the building isn’t listed. Look at Rightmove/ Rightmove Sold in your area, at similar properties in your area, who have done this, for ideas on designs and layouts. Have an idea of exactly what you want before you contact a builder. Make sure it’s someone you trust. Most people who have had satisfactory work done are happy to share their builders details. If you’re thinking of putting an en-suite up there, consider where your current waste pipes are, when designing the layout.

What square footage did it add?

any plumbing or just a room?

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all your replies. I'll gets some quotes and do some more research

You shouldn't get quotes until you've had plans drawn up that follow building and fire regs.

I had my attack turned into 2 huge bedrooms and a shower room in the middle of the 2 bedrooms. I found a builder and he found architect who got planning permissions. Mine took about 14 weeks and I paid in installments as the work was done.