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Renovating Design Dilemma

Home renovation - loft conversion in the future

6 years ago

We are currently planning a 2 storey rear extension. There is currently a large loft area which we would like to convert also but due to budget restrictions will have to be something we do in 5-10 years time.

Is there anything we can incorporate into our current plan/build that would reduce the amount of disruption with building work later on when we are able to afford to construct a complete loft conversion?

Any advice welcome.

Thanks

Comments (7)

PRO
Aflux Designs
6 years ago
to be honest the work will be fairly disruptive even if you try to accommodate. one area which you need to take into account for is where the stairs will be as this could eat up into one of your rooms/hallway. if you can account for this, it could help. Speak to your builders and see what they advise. However also speak to them to see if there is space in the loft so that the ceilings of your second floor can remain untouched
Jonas James
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Aflux

spoke to the builder and architect today and one solution is to put the new joists into the loft as part of this phase 1 renovation. The architect said it wouldn't add that much to the cost but the builder said it would be ... Think I need to get both of them together and work it out!
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Hi AMB, I see your dilemma. I don't have first experience of your situation so I'm not sure if my comments will be of any help but I'm going to be starting a loft conversion too next month and I'm in an edwardian terrace ( one neighbour already has a loft done ). From my experience, it is best to casually speak to your neighbour about your future intentions because when the time comes you will have to ask them to sign a Party Wall Agreement anyway. Just a few questions - Is the dormer side/cheek built right up to the boundary/party wall? If yes and you want to maximise the size of your dormer, do you plan to join your dormer with your neighbour's dormer if they agree to block out window? If neighbour does not allow you to join onto their dormer, you will have to build the dormer 500mm in from Party Wall because the builder needs space to tile the dormer side ( so your loft will not be so wide ). This is the dilemma we had but luckily our neighbours agreed to join onto theirs. You may wish to speak to a builder about this 500mm gap but that it what our architect and builder told us. I'm not an expert on the 'right to light' but if you neighbour already has another window and if you decide to build within your boundary I don't see why it should stop you, I assume you are doing it through the Permitted Development route? Do you also have a chimney stack at the back? Have you met your neighbours? It's a bit of a tricky situation because you haven't bought the property yet and you don't know what they are like. I don't think it matters their window overlooks your roof as they will just get a view your tiles and you can't see into their window, they should have thought about that before they built their dormer. Did they build it a long time ago?
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BetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
6 years ago
Hi Jonas, I would suggest that you get an architectural plan that incorporates both phase 1 (pre 2-storey rear extension) and phase 2 (inc. the extensions). This might not be so expensive to do and, as you rightly anticipated - may minimise future disruption / reduce costs. Check out our site (betterspace.co), we'll be more than happy to help you further! Good luck. Ed
PRO
Opun
6 years ago
We agree with Betterspace. We do a lot of loft conversions and would also recommend that you draw up your plans incorporating both phases. That way the building work is all done with the loft in mind. When you are ready it just means finalising the initial plan.

However, we also agree with Aflux, the disruption is not going to be any less. what may be less is 1) cost , given that the space will have been 'prepped' for the future loft conversion. 2) time, it may also mean the loft conversion project progresses more quickly.

Hope this helps :)

Opun - your home improvement experts
PRO
SUN STUDIO.London - Glassworks and Prints
6 years ago
Hi Jonas,

Have a look at our extensions offer

We manage it end-to-end, for extensions, we also do the interior design in-price so you will basically be free to observe how we turn it into a fabulous place.

Some of our finishes:
Glass fit out for a bar · More Info

Asian styled bathroom and Mirrors with edge lighting · More Info

German Schott Mirona Glass with semi transparent/reflective gradient prints · More Info

Bespoke backlit onyx lamps · More Info

Let me know if you are interested, as you are a Houzz member, you are eligible for a discount.

You can contact us at +44 20 3870 3574 if you are interested :))
GardenFairyGodmother GFG
6 years ago
We completed a loft conversion and 2 storey rear extension last year. Originally we were going to do this in two phases due to budget. But soon realised it was best to be disrupted by builders once rather than twice. Just a few tips. My house is a typical 1920's semi, so the new staircase to the loft took up nearly all the box room. But we compensated for this by extending out by 4 m. All the bedroom ceilings needed to be lowered. Which was well worth doing to get a good ceiling height in the loft and get rid of all the artex bedroom ceilings. There are three RSJ's in the attic floor. As well as further ones on the ground floor. My rear foundations needed reinforcing too( they were in poor condition). We had a contingency budget of 10% but really needed 20%. We also moved into a rental house whilst the work was on. The time scale was six months but ended up being eight. We only got the keys back from the builders before Christmas. Still have to sort out the garden as we hadn't asked the builders to put in a patio to the rear of the house(due to lack of budget and foresight) . So now sit at my kitchen island looking out through my bi folds onto a muddy patchy lawn. To keep costs down all the walls and ceilings were tradesmen white. Carpet and vinyl for the floors. The bathrooms and kitchen were on sale as well as appliances. We also needed a new boiler as the old one couldn't handle the new radiators and extra bathroom ( a vented high pressure combi system was installed).
PRO
Active Builders London ltd
6 years ago
Hi

I think if you would like to reduce the disruption in the future you might want to consider doing the loft ready for 2nd fix and the complete it when you are ready. By choosing that you should also benefit financially.

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