Loft Conversion - 7 TOP TIPS BEFORE YOU START - Everything to Save You Money & Time - Housing Market

[@Kg14758]

Thank you very helpful video. Please can you just confirm how many drawings I need? I have architect drawings already but still not sure if I need both structural engineer plans and building regulation plans? Or if the structural engineer plans are sufficient for both. Thank you

[@pterodactylx3100]

Is it correct that if you use wood instead of steel, then the loft is lighter? Or is the steel so strong that you use smaller pieces for the same strength and end up with similar weight. If the loft is small and you do not want the cost of scaffolding or lifting heavy beams up high outside, then wood is easier to get up to the loft area via the inside, and easier to saw. Do you agree?

[@netcalibur]

I was looking for such info for some time now as I am in the position you described here: don't know where to start. Thanks for all the info, for the time and patience you put all together step by step 👍👍👍

[@hcm3712]

I got a quote for a typical small terrace house planning : As an idea for costs our fees for the production and submission of the Planning Application would be £1225:00 + vat. We can also provide a fee for the Building Regulations drawing - the drawings the builders use - as a separate cost. And I don't understand why for that figure compare to £600,fee mentioned here

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi. Thanks for watching. One of the reasons I set this channel up was to help people to achieve the best possible outcome on their project. The fees you have quoted are fairly standard but I think you can do better if you shop about. There are lots of comparison websites around and I would suggest putting your job onto a couple and state that you would like a fixed quote. That way you will find the best deal and every penny you save on the drawings can be spent on the finish. 👍

[@hcm3712]

@@JoeBlogs many thanks 👍

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

For me it's not just the cost, but how much it will potentially add to the value of your property. My brother looked at extending his property further, but were told by estate agents that they were already near the ceiling for the street. They bought a bigger house in a nicer area instead.

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

I live in a 4 bed townhouse that's end of terrace built 2004. It's a decent sized property and there seems to be potential for a loft conversion. The footprint of the house is roughly 5m wide by 10m length; with 3 floors. The stairs are a U shape on the side/end wall of the house so new stairs could be replicated on top. I envisage either 2 extra bedrooms with a jack and Jill bathroom or a master suite with dressing room/ensuite or an entertainment floor. EDIT: not sure about a master suite on what would be the 4th floor!? Only issue is that no one in the street has a loft conversion and so there is no precedent.

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi. Thanks for watching. You make some good points in both emails. Whenever you are deciding upon paying for work you need to make sure that the value you are adding is more than the cost of the work. There is usually a ceiling price for a road although we have always managed to break that ceiling whenever we have sold properties. Being the first to do something on a road is sometimes a good thing as it shows other people what can be done and it will definitley increase the prices sold on that road. It also depends upon how long you intend to stay. If you are doing it solely to increase the price then you need to be very confident that it will add more value than cost. However if you are going to continue living in the property for a few more years then you will benefit from the future market growth and also be able to enjoy the extra space.👍

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

@@JoeBlogs Thanks for the reply and goes without saying for posting the vid in the first place. I would want the loft extension to enjoy the additional space primarily. Wouldn't do it just for the money.

[@tstube818]

For a simple roof light loft conversion, would you still think the cost will be minimum 40k? Or were you considering a loft with a dormer ?

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi. The cost without a dormer will be significantly lower. Depends on your spec but you should be able to do that for £25-30k.

[@tstube818]

@@JoeBlogs thanks for the rapid response. I was thinking along the same lines. Keep up the good work. Very helpful channel

[@m.adnanlondon]

Drawing from structural engineer.Where the stairs n how that works ..window .bathroom opening to b inuse 4 both rooms.( Heaters cupboards floor )

[@zakktaylor7042]

Thanks for this video. I've seen some videos on how people have saved a fortune by employing a builder on a labour only basis i.e the homeowner provides drawings (from an architect) and sources and buys all the building materials so the builder literally only charges for turning up and doing the work. Essentially I guess this is project managing the whole project yourself. One question I have in this scenario is if I were to attempt this route. How would I know which materials i need to source and how much I would need. Would the architect or structural engineer or the builder be able to provide this or are their any sources online that can provide materials lists and calculations for a dormer shell? I just want a water tight shell and structure so my father in law and myself can build all the interior stud work and everything onwards. would appreciate any advise. Thanks!

[@killerbee8892]

I don’t know any builder that would do a job for somebody who doesn’t know what they are doing on a labour only a basis. In all honesty given what you have written you need to Get a builder in, who will run the project for you. And at the minute it won’t cheap.

[@DanielPaprocki]

Thank you for all this precious information 😊👍🏻

[@shazav9776]

Thanks for the brilliant video , packed with useful information!

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Shaza. Thanks for watching, the great feedback and subscribing. We set up this channel to share our knowledge and help anyone who is interested in doing things better and more efficiently. Glad to hear that you are enjoying it so far. Please let us know if there is anything specific that you would like us to cover in future videos. 👍

[@michaelanderson2689]

Have you done a video on Eco Trus loft conversations? As these don’t use steel seams a cheaper overall cost and much faster build!

[@housinauthority5258]

I've heard from builders that do loft conversions that eco truss are expensive.

[@liammullan2197]

Thanks, a helpful video. A square I can't circle is the concept of the fixed price. The problem is that once a job has been accepted by a builder at a fixed price, every penny they can save on a build goes in their pocket. That means that any corner they can cut, any little detail they can get away with that isn't specified on the drawings, or perhaps is but they know no one is going to check, that is money for them. They're not incentivised to do a good job, beyond getting it finished and signed off by building control. You may say that they won't do that because of their reputation, but in reality we only hear the good feedback - clients don't post bad feedback because they need an ongoing relationship with their builder well beyone the end of the project. On the other hand if you pay builders by the day then they're obviously incentivised to drag it out and no one wants that. Never worked out what to do. Maybe the ideal would be to have an independent surveyor/PM observing and signing off the work but that introduces another large expense and another person to deal with. Overall, better to move house if you can, rather than enter the nightmare world of extensions, in my opinion.

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Liam. I have dealt with many builders over the last 20 years or so. You are correct that some will look to cut corners and save as much money as possible and I have suffered the consequences of that. I have also paid builders on day rates and that is always a disaster. The bottom line is that you need to find a builder you trust and whose previous clients love them. Hard to do but it is possible. Moving is an option but is very expensive 👍

[@pterodactylx3100]

This is a good post. In my opinion the genuine builders who 'do it right' just because they are the type of person to do this - they soon get a good reputation and are the busy ones. One way is to divide the job into 10 stages and have the arrangements to pay upon each stage and for either party to have the option to cancel at the end of each stage. Then if the builder goes shoddy you can say'thanks but no more', and if the customer gets over-fussy the builder can leave the job, or, if something turns up like dampness that no-one saw at the outset, then the builder can leave the job, as it is wrong to include loads of extra work for the builder in the final package at the same original price. Then neither party can feel hard done by.

[@benstobbs82]

Are there options for those with slightly lower pitch heights? I've a new build and I'm looking to convert but I'm about 2.3 metres to the pitch in the loft from rafters

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Ben. There are a couple of options. If you have enough head height on the floor below you could lower the ceiling height to gain more in the loft. The alternative is to use a cold deck system and to try to make the most of the 2.3m height you have. It can be tricky with new builds but may still be worth doing if you need the extra space.

[@benstobbs82]

@@JoeBlogs thanks for that. I just checked one of your other videos with the Cold Deck in makes sense. Thanks again for the info

[@arunthathianthonypillai7700]

Thanks for the brilliant. Advice for the loft

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi. Thanks for watching and the great feedback - much appreciated 🙏

[@klaudiamikulska3121]

This video was so helpful !

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Klaudi. Thanks for watching and the great feedback 👍

[@laidbackLUKEY]

Really informative video and bloody helpful for people with little knowledge or who are “not in the trade” thank you for taking your time to share this

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Luke. Thanks for watching and the great feedback. Glad to hear you found the video helpful. We will be posting another tips video shortly with ideas to create the WOW factor so hopefully you will find that helpful too. 👍

[@gurpiarsingh3249]

Great informative video. Drawings done for my loft conversion planning/building regs all accepted but I'm not happy with the beams/posts design. The architect/structural engineer has done spigot connections for ridge beam supporting posts. I loved your steel design for the 18 loft conversion challenge. If I wanted to change the design what would I need to do?

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Gurpiar. Thanks for watching and the great feedback. One of the reasons we set this channel up was to help people get a better understanding of the building process and to take more control. It is your house so the ultimate decision should always be yours. In this case I would suggest that you speak to your engineer and ask if the other option is possible and if not then why not. In our experience engineers often go with the easiest option rather than the best option so you should definitely ask if it can be done differently. Good luck.

[@gurpiarsingh3249]

@@JoeBlogs you're right. I will speak to the designer but I believe that ship might have sailed. I think he'll ask for money. I would rather speak/pay someone else who could just do the steel work design. Do you offer this service or can advise someone?

[@JoeBlogs]

Where is the property?

[@rehanasquire2571]

Thank you so much for all your tips. Great video

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Rehana. Thanks for watching and the great feedback. 👍

[@benl8177]

Would you use a builder or a loft conversion company?

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Ben. I would use a builder. Be careful with loft conversion companies as some of them are basically marketing companies that subcontract the actual work to builders. You want to ask who is actually doing the work as they are the guys you need to check out and reference. Use mybuilder.com to get quotes and interview them.

[@benl8177]

@@JoeBlogs Thanks for the reply. Videos are very helpful. I would rather move to a larger house but in my area, a large 4 bed is 750k plus! my 3 bed is worth about 500k. I could get a 4 bed in a lesser area, however i dont think i want to.

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

A neighbour of my mother's had a loft extension recently. It took 5 months! Turns out the builder didn't realise that the houses were a brick exterior but wooden framed interior, (late 70s - early 80s build). The house then needed RSJs and additional structure to transfer the extra weight to ground level. I think there are new RSJs on the ground level. Did the builder take the job without drawings from structural engineer?

[@JoeBlogs]

What a nightmare. In our experience it is always better for the home owner to take control of the whole process to avoid those sort of problems. The reason we set up this channel was to help people to understand the process and to take control. Most builders do not do alot of research and if they had not come across that type of house before they would not have been aware that it was non standard construction.

[@MsAnjiuk]

Thank you. This was very useful.

[@JoeBlogs]

Thanks for watching and the great feedback.

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

@Erich Jamaica what an unpleasant person you are.

[@corinasantos8473]

Thanks

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Corina Thank you so much for this Super Thanks - really appreciated and you have put a big smile on my face 😁 😍❤️👍 Joe

[@fostercareruk3389]

Oh no my neighbour is an architect and we used him for our kitchen extension but are going with someone else for the loft conversion. Party wall agreement will be awkward

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi. Thanks for watching and the comment - it made me laugh 😂 Hopefully your neighbour will be sensible and it will all be plain sailing 👍

[@HONCH123]

wow , Great centre for information, Thanks

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Edward. Thanks for watching and the great feedback 👍

[@MULLENATORX]

Really helpful, great video.

[@JoeBlogs]

Thanks for watching and the great feedback. Please subscribe if you haven't already done so! 👍

[@fostercareruk3389]

Do you get planning before structural engineer plans?

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

You can’t get permission without plans.

[@bendoherty7721]

How much roughly For the structural engineer drawings?

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Ben. Thanks for watching. You should shop around using the online quote sites but we usually pay around £600.

[@chrisbeach44]

Very good. Thanks.

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi Chris. Thanks for watching and the feedback 👍

[@chrisbeach44]

You’re welcome. I’m at the very start of the process so any help is always welcome.

[@aleksandrajemirifo6181]

I’ve got nasty neighbours, can they prevent me from getting my conversationdone or do they have to agree as long as there is surveyor report ?

[@JoeBlogs]

Hi. Sorry to hear that your neighbours are not nice people. Don’t worry though I am sure that I have dealt with worse! The great news is that the Party Wall Act was put in place to help people like you and that your neighbours can’t stop you doing your build. Just make sure you do everything by the book and you will be fine! 😁👍

[@aleksandrajemirifo6181]

@@JoeBlogs oh brilliant, thank you ever so much. By the way great video, very informative and super helpful 😊

[@JoeBlogs]

👍

[@alexh123drum]

Very helpful video but £50,000?! Back to the drawing board.

[@JoeBlogs]

Thanks for watching.

[@jayjayripoff]

Bear in mind the locality to this channel is in London, prices elsewhere in the country will be much lower than that. I've just bought a 2 bed terrace house in West Yorkshire for £70k. I won't be spending three quarters to more than what the house is worth on a loft conversion. I know the spans for the joists, I know the insulation regs, and my local building control have been out and seem happy with my own drawings and plan. The only issue they seem to be worried about with my plan is the already installed spray foam insulation and it's lack of ventilation.... I've assured them though that rigid foam such as kjngspan and the like is less breathable, and unventilated roofs are becoming more common now building science is moving on. For the most part, including an electrics rewire, I've estimated the project will cost £5,000, with myself doing much of the work in the plan. So I think it can be done for far less than £50-£70k, even with builders involvement. Maybe not if you use steel beams and need to use a crane, maybe not if you get architects and structural engineers drawings.

[@jayjayripoff]

As an example, my costings so far, before involvement from my builder, are: Rewire and consumer unit, and Part P or EIRC cert - 1200 (I have purchased and installed all materials, sockets, switches, where the need to go to regs, he's just installing the CU and supplied wiring, and checking it meets codes for the certificate.) New floor level, C24 9x2 inch joists, x 25 - 1300 Stud work and framing - 200 Insulation - 700 (Celotex 120mm on roof, with 50mm gap and existing 75mm spray foam, plus Knauf Earthwool 170mm on floor.) Boarding/fireboard - 300 (for ceiling and around attic space.) Windows - 500 (2x Dakea skylights) Flooring - free, laminate, carefully taken out of an old hairdressers. Stairs - free, taken from family members old attic stairs, as they've been doing a full house renovation. I think the trick for me has been mostly finding all the UK regulations and making sure I go above all the regulations. Regular emails back and fourth with building control help make sure I'm planning everything right. They'll cost £460 total for inspections. And obviously sourcing certain things from friends and family has helped. My builder friend is assisting, but as I've done all the planning, I know how I want it all to go, to make sure it is beyond safe. He'll be 1000 for that. So ok, yeah £5700 so far... Ok I spent 200 on the electric supplies... joist hangers and masonry screws, 100... say £6000 total then... ? My point is even with all the extras it can only be double this amount really cant it? Even £20k is better than £50k right? But, anyway, good luck to all. :-)

[@richwood1736]

Sounds pretty accurate, just had a dormer with ensuite conversion quoted at £45k in east london

[@jayjayripoff]

@@richwood1736 and that is the key point for people to bear in mind location. East London and West Yorkshire are going to see differences in quotations. I just didn't like to see someone write it off as 'well that's outta my league' and give up on the idea for a project. It can be done.

[@YoHelmo]

Thank you.

[@JoeBlogs]

Thanks for watching and the great feedback 👍

[@emrulkaiser8969]

Advanced company construction Liverpool