Extending an existing loft conversion

3 years ago

We live in a 3 bed Victorian end of terrace house in North London. We completed a side-return under permitted development last year - now we feel we need an additional bedroom. When we bought the house (2017) the previous owner had had the loft converted (2001), but only into one bedroom. Ideally - we now want to add a bedroom and en-suite to this (to be built over 1st floor bathroom. The current room is around 3m x 4.5m. Our idea is where the sink currently is, we'd add in a slim wet-room and toilet. In the new extension it would just be a bedroom/study.

Is it even possible/easy to do to add on to an existing loft conversion?

Would it be cheaper and easier to tear the existing conversion down start the loft conversion again?

Do you know the implications of planning permission needed? We did our downstairs under permitted development and went out as far as we can under this.

Any suggestions/help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

See images below (these are our plans before we had downstairs extended):

Featured Answer

rosemonde

3 years ago

What you want is not a dormer, it is an extension over the first floor outrigger, sometimes also described as a loft pod. It is possible, and one of cheapest ways to extend as you don’t need new foundations - you are just adding a floor on top of your first floor. Look at your planning portal and search for your neighbour’s address. It could be that they have created a precedent that you can then use to do something similar. Every local authority has different rules on what they allow, but by the looks of it, yours seem very generous. Extensions that solid would not be allowed in many boroughs.

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Comments (10)

kwg kwg
3 years ago
Hello, do you mean add another dormer on to the rear section? I have seen projects like this and it definitely can be acheived!

I don't think you need to completely knock down the existing one. I'm in an edwardian terrace and the neighbours opposite us at the back ( where our gardens meet ), they extended the existing loft as it was quite small and I saw it being built from the loft when I was working from home haha. They took off the front of the dormer and added extra ceiling joists on to the existing ones to push it right out to the eaves.

I'm not sure if you need extra steels in existing dormer or if it would still fall in to PD but your architect will be able to advise.
Chris Martin thanked kwg kwg
Chris Martin
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi kwg kwg,

It's not really a dorma, no. We want to go flush to the end of the wall - similar to our neighbours on the below pic to the right.
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Hi, Your property seems to be quite square which is unusual, but beneficial when trying to gain two bedrooms in teh loft. In order to gain 2no. bedrooms and a bathroom, you would need to carry out the hip to gable works, and install a large rear box dormer. This will allow for 2no. bedroom located within the dormer a approximately 2.8m wide and 3m deep. There would hopefully still be enough room for a corridor to a small shower room or bath tucked into the eaves. We woudl usually recommend a minimum ridge height of 2.3m to the top of the existing ceiling joists, to allow for the installation of a dormer running full width of the property, new floor joists and insulation to the new roof. The stairs would most likely have to take up the small 3rd bedroom. Could end up something similar to the attached Image. I hope that helps. Drawmyextension.co.uk
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kwg kwg
3 years ago
Yes that's what I meant, sort of like a dormer but on the side? Wow that is big extension next door and it looks quite recent judging by the windows. I guess if they have done it, so can you. Is your neighbour's layout in the loft similar to what you want as well?
Jaq Cualey
3 years ago
In terms of buildability you should find out how the existing roof/former is supported in order to determine if it can be extended or if a completely new structure would be required .
PRO
APT Renovation Limited
3 years ago
Hi Chris. APT Renovation here.

We are a design and build company that specialize in home extensions and conversions.

We can advise what's best and take care of everything from plans, 3D Renders of the finished results to the build and completion of your extension.

If you would like to view some of our previous project you can visit out website here https://www.aptrenovation.co.uk/ or call us on 0207 223 6417 for a free consultation and we can get you home extension underway.

best regards,

APT Renovation Ltd
Chris Martin
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks APT - I called and left a message on Thursday but haven’t heard back yet.
PRO
D Smith Constructions Ltd
3 years ago
Hi Chris

We are based in West London, our current project is in North London.

We specialise in loft conversions and home extensions, if you would like help or to discuss your ideas please feel free to contact us-

info@dsmithconstructions.co.uk

02087370362 or 07595379414

Kind regards

Darren Smith
PRO
B & E Partnership
3 years ago
Hi Chris Martin,

First of all if your property does not fall within a Conservation Area or is Listed, then you are allowed to build a loft Conversion and an outrigger similar to your adjoining neighbour on the right hand side provided that the volume of the proposed outrigger and the Existing Loft with a dormer roof do not exceed 40.00 cubic metres to falls under ' Permitted Development ' where Planning Permission is not required.

I have done several of such projects to confirm that you will not require Planning Approval as such. However you will have to modify the staircase from first Floor Landing to First Floor if you want the finish floor level of the Outrigger to be at the same level as that of the Finish Floor level of the Existing Loft.

Regards

Alain B
Hande E
4 months ago
Hi Chris, we are thinking about a similar project. I was wondering (since this was posted three years ago!) what did you end up doing?

Extending an existing loft conversion

rosemonde

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