Loft Conversion

andy

We've decided to start this process off. Has anyone got any lessons, suppliers or experiences of doing it round here?

What would you have done differently?
What cost more than you thought it would?
How long will it all take?

All thoughts appreciated.

Ali

seesm like there is some quite good advice on the Internet eg http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/2007/11/18/will-a-loft-conversion-add-value/ It will be interesting to hear local experiences on whether people got what they expected

becky

No advice, but great discussion topic. Hope someone replies with advice... We were thinking about about going up into the roof but have decided to go down instead...

David

Don't get carried away like [Mole Man](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3746297.ece), becky.

twinspark

@andy

Check with Haringey planning dept. as there are quite a few streets in SG that have restrictive planing policy / conservation rules etc.
You will invariably encounter a dimwit with the phone manner of a 12 year old who doesn't even know where Stroud Green is without clicking on Google maps.

e.g We live on Stapleton Hall Rd. and were thinking of converting part of the property to a flat to sell or let. However the council had buried in the small print online a sub clause in their policy that said number X to number Y on SHR were a priority zone to re-establish family houses and no new flats would be granted planning permission. We pointed out that during the 26 years at this address almost every single house around us had been converted in to flats! and that there were only 2 properties left as houses in the 'priority zone' so it really was too little too late.

andy

@twinspark - thanks for that. We're actually in Islington, which I think/hope might be a bit more straightforward

Liz

V likely that conservation area rules will apply in Islington too - where I used to live was a conservation zone and you have to get permission for any significant changes to the exterior of the property, including cutting down big trees. I enquired with the council about digging out the basement but was told it was no go because of the conservation issues. You are likely to have a stronger case if other houses in the street already have loft conversions so worth checking that out.

Colette

Albert rd is part of a conservation area and there don't seem to be any issues surrounding loft conversions.

mapsa

David - speaking of Mole Men, I noticed that the old Edmund Trebus place in Crouch End is currently [up for sale](http://www.greene.co.uk/home/property/220499/for-sale-in-crouch-end). I'm tempted to arrange a viewing just to check out that "good cellar storage"

helen

we took the plunge and coverted the loft last year. its been great and i do love it but there are some handy things to know
1. we're in haringey in florence road and discovered ourselves to be part of the conservation zone. they had a lot of views about what we could do, size of space, fenestration, fiting in with the house, etc, etc. and they rejected a couple of our first plans despite the fact that other houses had more significant extensions already - their view was that they are now controlling all furute work and if they choose to change the regs every year (and they have) then that is their perogative. plan no.3 got through but worth checking what has been approved in the last 12 months on the online websites in haringey and islington so you don't end up going through annoying iterations
2. get quotes from a few loft conversion companies - the variety of prices is quite amazing. we went with 1stchoice lofts in the end. overall i'd give the builder and the electrician 10/10 and the plumber they used 3/10. I should have negotiated to use my own plumber and stupidly didn't
i'd recommend doing it though. i've got my office back without random friends and reli's to negotiate on my way to the computer. bliss.

Brodiej

Like Helen, we've had LOADS of quotes for our loft and they've really varied. None of the companies have filled me with confidence, and thats mainly because the guys that quote all inclusive are either very cheap or mega bucks, and then everyone else who looks a bit more credible won't quote without drawing up plans first. Its a bit of a chicken and egg scenario and im getting nowhere. My questions for SG'rs if anyone has any experience on it are.... 1. Should you use a specialist loft company that does everything (drawing, gaining planning, building)? or 2. Get a structural engineer and architect to draw up plans, get planning myself, get the building work tendered? 3. Does anyone have any companies to recommend? Thanks

andy

Literally just had a loft conversion finished ( despite starting this thread 100 years ago) If what you're doing is straightforward, I would use a loft company. Happy to chat more about this if you want.

Patso

We did it as part of a bigger scheme ie filling in the side return and general refurb. After all the stress of moving out and back we now have a future proof house with much more space which we love. Managing relationships with architect and builder proved a challenge. 1.5 years in and the bad bits have largely been forgotten.