Loft conversions SW London

[WobblyPig]

interested in general experiences including costs ( if you don't mind sharing) ; mess and inconvenience; time and company used. All info welcomed.

Am planning an L-shaped loft conversion before new baby in May2009.

My friend used a company that was called something with PURPLE. She lived in Wandsworth. I remember seeing them a lot around Putney, Fulham, Wandsworth.

We had our loft done starting Feb 2007 (everyone said it was mad to start in winter but was in fact almost completely dry period unlike the summer of 2007). Mess is really minimal until they cut through the ceiling to put the stairs up into the loft (most builders just use scaffolding to get in and out of roof space).

Company we used were very good, set a cracking pace and it was pretty much done in five weeks but then they just lost interest and wouldn't come back and finish off, put the things in place for building regs etc. We ended up parting company and not paying them remaining £2000. It was a huge nuisance getting things sorted ourselves.

When looking for a company, always ask to see people that they have recently finished off - not sites where they are currently working - as that will give you a good idea how they respond to getting the work absolutely completed and snagging done.

we used absolute lofts - minimal mess, pretty much done now (signed off by building regs) quite happy with them
our loft conversion had to follow the lines of the roof so not a big space, but we do have a shower room and bathroom in there
pre-decorating, it's about £35k