off topic : loft conversions

[skr80]

Hi,

I am planning on converting my loft into additional rooms. Does anyone here know / recommend an architect that can draw / prepare outline and full planning / building specs?

Any recommendations as to good builders in the area, that can work to spec, also?

thanks

skr

 

[Marshy]

A decent loft conversion company will do it all for you i reckon

 

[Herman the Tosser]

Try Premier Loft Conversions in Worthing. Heard very good things about them.

 

[skr80]

A decent loft conversion company will do it all for you i reckon

cheers - the trouble is finding a decent one - short of knocking on doors and asking folks about the ones they had done and how they found them to be.
Thought someone here may have had personal experience and could suggest . recommend....

 

[Chicken Run]

Some how find the No. for Mel Humphries i think he works at Adur DC, as a planning officer, in his spare time he does drawings and will then process your application to the relevant authority on a no BREGS and/or PP no fee i.e you only pay when you get the go ahead, then when drawings approved and your in possesion of your plans and spec call Providence carpetry and ask for Paul Brogden, he will come out and quote and in a couple of weeks u'll have your price, dont bother getting quotes untill you have the drawings your wasting yours and the builders time, wasy innit also try wynn foley, avoid steve banks nice guy but too many jobs on the go, also dont go for the cheapest!!!

 

[skr80]

Some how find the No. for Mel Humphries i think he works at Adur DC, as a planning officer, in his spare time he does drawings and will then process your application to the relevant authority on a no BREGS and/or PP no fee i.e you only pay when you get the go ahead, then when drawings approved and your in possesion of your plans and spec call Providence carpetry and ask for Paul Brogden, he will come out and quote and in a couple of weeks u'll have your price, dont bother getting quotes untill you have the drawings your wasting yours and the builders time, wasy innit also try wynn foley, avoid steve banks nice guy but too many jobs on the go, also dont go for the cheapest!!!

Thank you - very useful info. Mel has left ADC now and is working for himself. I have left contact info with ADC to forward to him, so hopefully this will happen and I will get a call from him!!

 

[London Calling]

Hi,

I am planning on converting my loft into additional rooms. Does anyone here know / recommend an architect that can draw / prepare outline and full planning / building specs?

Any recommendations as to good builders in the area, that can work to spec, also?

thanks

skr

Also how much do you want it off peg, or actually designed by an architect?

The difference is amazing and the overall costs will not actually be that different.

In addition, how green do you want it.

Also first check with your Council or look along your street to confirm whether you can have a loft conversion.

Depending on your street you may also have permitted development rights or the opposite, where you will definately require plannning and building control permission, and remember the last two are different.

 

[skr80]

Also how much do you want it off peg, or actually designed by an architect?

The difference is amazing and the overall costs will not actually be that different.

In addition, how green do you want it.

Also first check with your Council or look along your street to confirm whether you can have a loft conversion.

Depending on your street you may also have permitted development rights or the opposite, where you will definately require plannning and building control permission, and remember the last two are different.

Thanks - As I want to vary the roof pitch, I believe I will need planning, and then building sign off. Its basically an off the peg type conversion to my bungalow, but utilising as much of the roof area as possible. I thought an architect could provide alternative ideas, as well as prep the planning drawings / building structures manifest for the builder. Green wise - yes eco friendly, but not at the cost of thermal efficiency (must pay for itself over 10 years or so).
Plenty of conversions down my street, so in principle seems to be ok to do..

 

[beanbag]

A good architect is DK Architects in Hove - we used them and they were really helpful. A good builder is Jurial Construction - 01273 231889 - did a friends Loft Conversion and were impressed.

 

[Lethargic]

Check with the conversion companies first and see if you can get a free quotation there have been changes in the regulations recently and they will be able to tell you straight away if its possible and what your options are.

 

[London Calling]

Thanks - As I want to vary the roof pitch, I believe I will need planning, and then building sign off. Its basically an off the peg type conversion to my bungalow, but utilising as much of the roof area as possible. I thought an architect could provide alternative ideas, as well as prep the planning drawings / building structures manifest for the builder. Green wise - yes eco friendly, but not at the cost of thermal efficiency (must pay for itself over 10 years or so).
Plenty of conversions down my street, so in principle seems to be ok to do..

In terms of conflict of green/ thermal,

insulation wool is the most natural product but is bulky, will invariably take up 4- 8 x more room. If you are restricted to maintaining present pitch height, that could mean 4-6 inches different. Doesn't sound much but it can be.

Also look at storage opportunities, attics can provide great storage, especially under the lower eaves space.

Also depending on the side the windows are facing, think about blinds to retain heat in winter and keep the room cool in summer.

Another tip, if you like any of the conversions, ask the neighbours on the builder etc, they should be complemented.

Generally building regs are changing each year, especially on thermal performance.

We also used FSC approved hard wood windows, with white window stain.

The wood was only 10-15% more expensice than the soft wood equivalent, will last for ever, the stain adds nutrients to the wood, requires less maintenance than paint. It doesn't peel off!.

We packed our loft full of insulation. We can just get by with no artificial heating and yet to put in blinds or curtains.

A good architect should hopefully cover with you:

painted walls or wood or xxxx
Bathroom facilities,

storage facilities:

type of wood flooring or carpet?

window frames and insulation

etc



LC

 

[Uncle Buck]

Dean White?

 

[bright1064]