LOFT CONVERSION

Our architect will guide you regarding the requirement for planning permission, so it’s essential to provide your full address in the online quote questionnaire. Once this is done, we will schedule an architectural and structural survey at your property. Our architect will then create the proposal plan based on your ideas, and the structural engineer will incorporate the necessary calculations.

In cases where planning permission is necessary, the application process typically takes around 3 months. However, if planning permission is not required, the process remains the same. Once you have received the drawings for the architect’s design that aligns with your vision, we will inform the council about the proposed changes to the building. Please note that there are applicable fees for this, ranging from £140-200 depending on the council. It’s important to mention that permitted development falls outside our scope of service. Following this, our structural engineer will incorporate all the required structural calculations into the drawing, enabling our builders to commence the work.

Typically, from our initial meeting to reaching this stage, it takes approximately 4 weeks (or 12 weeks if planning permission is required).

We are also able to provide assistance with a private building control application.

Please be aware that if you plan to make alterations to your party wall, you will need to secure an agreement from your neighbours. However, this aspect is not facilitated by our services.

The building process commences with the arrival of scaffolders who erect scaffolding around the roof, ensuring a safe working environment. The site manager then proceeds to set up the work area in compliance with Health and Safety regulations. Subsequently, the loft extension builders are able to commence their work.

As part of our service, we offer the option to remove the old roof. Additionally, the cost of skip removal is already included in our price, providing you with a hassle-free experience.

The next step involves the installation of steel beams, positioned as low as possible to maximise the loft rooms’ ceiling height and internal space. These beams serve as support for the new floor level and are carefully placed to accommodate the new staircase.

Following this, our carpenter begins working on the installation of new floor joists and creates a temporary cover to facilitate work in the loft area. At this stage, our plumber and electrician arrive to install new plumbing and wiring in the floor area. The plumbing and electrical systems need to be properly positioned beneath the floor to ensure seamless connection with the existing wiring. (We are also equipped to perform complete house rewiring and fuse board replacements if required). Additionally, the plumber connects new radiator pipes and hot and cold water pipes for the bathroom under the floor.

The carpenter proceeds by following each step of the process, covering the floor with a new subfloor that serves as a stable working platform for constructing the frame of the loft rooms.

Once the new loft roof is structurally constructed, we proceed to cover it with roof tiles, such as clay tiles, slate roof tiling, or rosemary roof tiling. Additionally, if a flat roof is part of the design, we apply appropriate materials like felt roofing or fiberglass roofing. We also ensure the installation of all necessary lead work and insulation, depending on whether the warm roofing or cold roofing method is employed. Concurrently, windows are installed to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the loft space.

We create an opening from the first floor into the loft and proceed to construct the staircase. This phase typically occurs around the midpoint of the project, and although it may cause some disruption, we strive to minimise the duration. Additionally, we install guttering and downpipes during this stage. If you require external paint for your house, it is an opportune time to undertake this task as the scaffolding is already in place.

During this period, we focus on installing plasterboards and carrying out plastering work room by room, including the area around the new staircase. While this phase can be messy, rest assured that we take proper measures to protect and cover the surrounding area.

At this stage, the electrician and plumber are prepared to install the bathroom fixtures and electrical points on the upper floor, ensuring they are properly connected to the existing fuse boards.

The joiners will be arriving to install doors and fix skirtings, and if you have opted for a wooden floor as your finishing floor, they will take care of its installation as well. This includes options such as engineered wooden flooring or laminated wooden flooring. Subsequently, we will remove most of our equipment and belongings from the construction site, allowing the cleaners to perform a thorough first-time cleaning. This will create a clean and suitable environment for the painters to commence their work.

The painters will apply wall paint to finish the walls, wood paint for any wooden surfaces, and bathroom paint for the bathroom area. It’s worth mentioning to the painters if you have additional painting requirements in the existing house or if you would like them to work on a few more rooms.

Once the painting and cleaning are complete, the cleaners will return to ensure the entire area is spotless. We will also remove all the protective coverings and leave the space in a tidy condition, allowing you to fully enjoy your newly extended space.

Payment will be processed in accordance with the building process. During the snag period, you have the option to retain a portion of the payment for one month. After this, we will agree on a specific date to address any remaining snags, which typically takes around 3-4 hours to complete.

Once all the necessary work is done, we will finalise the project by shaking hands, symbolising our mutual satisfaction. Our hope is to have another delighted customer who will recommend our building and design team to their friends, family, and anyone seeking top-notch services.

For common houses in London, such as Victorian or Georgian properties, a loft conversion project typically takes around 12-14 weeks to complete with all finishing touches, while the structural works alone can be accomplished in 8 weeks. As a family-run business, we possess the necessary scale to undertake projects effectively while maintaining a personalised and caring approach to ensure your utmost satisfaction.