How easy/difficult are loft conversions?

Question

I am considering an attempt to convert/refurbish my mums small loft space into a craft area. She has been unwell recently and I thought it may cheer her up. Full loft conversions cost between £10-£15k so it would be out of the question to pay out that sort of money for a professional builder. Even if I have the loft insulated, flooring laid and a heating installed for her would that suffice? I'm looking for ideas and as much information as possible on this. Info on decoration it too would be great.

Cheers.

Answer 1

A good way to save money is to a lot of the basic or rough work yourself and then have a professional come in and finish it off. Trust me the builders like it better that way too.



You should go to a library and check out the DIY section on home repair / renovation look at the sections regarding what you are actually planning on doing or think would be necessary to make the place "livable" then judge by that and your own skill level what you are actually capable of.



Other more cheapskate techniques include heavy carpet or rugs on the floor, Wall hangings and lots of blankets, but that doesn't seem like a good thing for an ailing woman.

Answer 2

If the loft is to be converted into a habitable space, the first thing you must do is get Building Regulations consent [in the UK]. This will require a full specification of the works, which means you will need to engage a construction professional. If the work is just to enable the space to be used for storage, there are a couple of things to consider: 1) If the existing roof consists of pretrussed rafters [rafters framed up with metal plate connectors using small sections - typically 100 x 50mm], you will probably not be able to do anything unless you can establish that you have an intermediate load-bearing wall since these rafters are designed to span the full depth of the house - typically 8m. Additionally, no members of these roofs should be cut or removed. However, small areas of these roofs can be boarded for the purposes of taking lightweight storage. 2) A roof which is carpentry constructed of individual members is more amenable adaptation since it will probably have an intermediate load-bearing wall which can be used to support additional joisting. Again, none of the existing members should be cut or removed - without getting advice from a structural engineer. Again for lightweight storage, loft boarding on the existing ceilings joists would probably be adequate.

Answer 3

Have you thought about light. This would be one of the most important things, trying to get good daylight up there, especially for a craft room where an elderly person who perhaps does not see as well as they used to. Ask a few builders, loft conversion firms or even window fitters for quotes for loft windows, or even roofers as they may fit one or two for you. If you can work it so there are two windows one on each side of the roof so much the better. Our roof rooms (we have have them in two different homes) have both been very hot in the summers and it's lovely to open the windows.

If this proves difficult then you could look sun/light tubes see link below:

http://skytubes.org.uk/

Answer 4

A major home store can give you lots of info and maybe Craig's list a lead on some inexpensive materials. Get it comfortable, has she gone the winter without heat? If so get her out into the sunshine and fresh air. Small differences make a big difference. Second hand sales can get you tables and stuff particularly the estate and moving sales. Fabric outlets some times have great sales and colorful, good quality fabrics can make a fine wall covering. Remember colors create feelings/moods so think of what feelings she might want to experience. What colors energize her ? If you shop well together, well shopping can do a lot for a woman take her to the fabric store and see what she gravites toward. If you don't get anything there it will give you a lead on paint colors. I had a friend who had an orange room, everyone had a good time there and then it was painted dark blue with white trim and the fun stopped. All walls don't have to be the same color. A little extra trim stripe here or there can add a lot of style to a simple room. Avoid heavy dark colors except for accent in small spaces. Let her have a place for tea that has a view of something that is good for daydreaming.

Answer 5

you cannot have a ladder for a loft conversion ...you must get both planning and building regs ..your floor will not be good enough to comply with building regs ..you can use the room for storage only as it is now ...for a loft conversion you need a proper staircase ..a properly reinforced floor ..an escape window ..etc ..if you use it as a livable room now then i think your household insurance will be void if anything happened in that area ...im a builder ..a full conversion will be £20 --£25,000 plus vat ...a loft ladder and older people ..or unwell people dont go well together....note ..the answer below me it wrong ...they are given tottaly wrong advise

Answer 6

Take advice from boy boy do things the wright way they things cant come back on you and go wrong.

I was a labour for a guy about 10 years ago who did loft he ended up a cow boy and the people lost a lot of money due to him cutting corners

Do it wright the first time

good luck

Answer 7

You ONLY need Building Regs approval if you want to later market the loft as a habitable room.

If it's an occasional office/playroom/craft/storeroom then you don't. Nor do you need a permanent stairway.



You might want to talk with the BCO about getting Regs done anyway, as it isn't particularly expensive.