Attic conversion for hipped roof

D

dodo

Registered User
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I am in process of getting a few quotes to convert our 3 bed semi hipped roof house,NB I have read all posts here regarding attic conversion
This will be used as a bedroom
Few Question's I would like to ask here
The standard conversion ie no eternal features such as dormer windows,dutch hipped, so their would be a small piece of the box room to be lost to allow a proper stairs,but by gaining extra room then I think it is worth it,

I fear is that I get the standard conversion then regret I did not do dormer windows or something else that would have been a better job,
As it will be a bedroom for DD then we really need a bedroom(privacy) door even though the open plan looks better.
What is the benefit of dormer windows or anything else that I might be able to do,
Planning will take a while for dormer window but could I go ahead and gt retention later as really just want to get job done while the few quid is there, if you have got a quote for similar please pass details of price,
To make it habitable what is needed get cert to confirm
cheers
 
Dodo, can you put in a Velux window instead? We did an attic conversion and went for retention for the Velux window afterwards. We actually put in three.

The value of such windows is immeasurable. They give incredible light. If possible, I'd recommend you put in as many large ones as you can.

If you put in small ones, you will be so, so sorry!
 
it is not necessary to lose any of your box room. box rooms are small enough, dont go with a company who tells you this. i had this crap also from companies but i still found it easy to get a company to do it without.
3 windows is a must imho and big ones too.
i got a certificate of compliance for structure rather than habitability even tho it is used as a bedroom and a really comfy one too.
cost was 12,600 all in just before christmas. id guess that if u want a cert for habitability the cost would be a lot more.
i got it open plan with no doors as it feels better and it hasnt been a problem for my son sleeping there.
Pm me if u are interested in the company details.
 
Fox I will take your advice on windows,
Ishinder, love the look at open plan but our little dd nears her private space,
I had 6 guys in so far and all said I must take about 18 inches-24 iches of box room, how did you do it and where he you put stairs,or did you put it still above the main stairs as what I will be doing, if so any chance of seeing a pic
I don't want stairs through hot press
 
I got my attic converted some years ago, I have 3 large velux windows to the rear, no planning permission required. I now have a fully insulated, wired, plumbed, heated and light filled room, with a stairs, landing and door, the largest room in the house. It has a pool table, surround sound tv & cd system, xbox , electric guitars, keyboard, amplifiers etc. If I ever want to sell, the compliance cert clearly states it is non habitable accommodation, so it is only storage space, though my teenagers or their friends would not agree.

I looked at the habitable option, but this would have meant going the planning permission and dormer’s route as this would have given the required full ceiling height over I think 50% of floor area to have it classed as habitable, but the price to do this was wild. We are very happy with our storage space.

I lost a small piece of a bedroom for the stairs, but it is still a reasonable bedroom.

I have seen conversions in hipped roof houses where the door was put at the bottom of the new stairs on the existing landing, is this an option ?

If you opt for the non habitable route, you could consider a 600mm stairs instead of the standard 800mm, this will save you valuable space in your box room.

Would a spiral stairs be any benefit in your case ?

 
Had my brother's friend in to quote for attic on the hipped roof, he suggested to build the gable wall up about 5 blocks or so. I drove around my estate and noticed that someone has completly got rid of their hipped roof and it is now an apex roof, so hopefully planning should not be an issue, if price is right and knowing that someone has already got it done would it be ok to go for retention after as really want to get this done asap, cheers
 
dodo, you would be taking a big chance on going ahead without planning in the hopes of getting it at a later stage. What will you do then if heaven forbid they say no?
 

That's a crazy way of approaching things.

You could get hit with shadow analysis costs, the planning dept will kick this around creating work for themselves and will levy you with a penalty charge to retain the changes.

Yes, it may be easier to clain precedent and apply for retention, I would expect this to be the expensive and time consuming way to deal with this. Far easier to go down the planning route, get your permission and build compliant.
 
Thanks that is what I really needed to hear,just got carried away,
 
hi im in the same position just pricing i was told about a carpenter who does them he charges 9000 for a standard 3 bed i saw an attic he did and was impressed i will be using him his name is ian 083 3635489
 
derek fields said:
hi im in the same position just pricing i was told about a carpenter who does them he charges 9000 for a standard 3 bed i saw an attic he did and was impressed i will be using him his name is <name/number removed by mod>
Click to expand...

Derek,

We're a little wary of recommendations from first time posters and you might confirm your connection to "ian" please.

We welcome contributions, but we like to know the connection, if any, between the person doing the recommendations and the person recommended.

Also I personally am not happy with one name and a mobile as a recommendation for any work.

At the least I'd expect a company name and address or a website to look at - too many cowboys out there now.

ONQ.
 
Well said ONQ. Glowing recommendations from first time posters make other posters wary.
 
Thanks Sue Ellen

I've seen a couple of these "first-name-and-a-mobile-recommendations" recently and they irk me - yes, I know that's sometimes how it goes, especially in Ireland and especially in a recession, but I think that on this forum, or anywhere on AAM we should seek a bit more than that.

Over on boards.ie there was one pair of posts which recommended a firm down south yet when you looked at the website all you say was one half-demolition and rebuild of a tigeen somewhere by guys not wearing safety gear.

Attic conversions have been the preserve for chancers for years, so I'd like to see a bit more information - that's my spake anyway

ONQ.
 
ONG I agree with you, I have had 4 quotes so and would you believe they range from 12.5K to 36K and 2 others 14 & 17 K.
Now I am waiting for one guy who came so highly recommended that I look forward to his quote,The 9 K sounds great but you do need to know it is geniune, even if it was the poster himself just say so be up front and say that you can show previous works etc and prices have fallen so I can do for this price.
 
Dodo,

Its O - N - Q [where do people keep getting that capital "g" from LOL!]

There is a lot in doing an attic extension properly, from their position to allow use of the velux windows as an alternative escape route to the detailing of the insulation, ventilation and plaster boarding to avoid the build up of interstitial condensation, to the geometry of the stairs and head height to achieve a valid main escape route and the avoidance of falls due to kite winders.

This doesn't begin to touch on the provision of a protected intermediate floor and route down through the house with fire doors etc [as required] and an upgraded Fire Detection and Alarm System, together with laying new joists between the old inadequate ones and raising them to avoid popping the ceiling plasterboard below when they deflect.

Have a read of Parts A B C F K of the building regulations - these are the main ones, this is the law now and all TGDs may be involved..

http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/

ONQ.

[broken link removed]

All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.
 
I have seen the materials and labour that went into converting my attic.

I believe the prices quoted here are the prices people are getting, I see them advertised myself elsewhere.

I do not believe though that a properly registered and insured builder can convert an attic in say a standard semi, to include stairs, RSJ’s windows, plumbing, carpentry, plastering, electrical, flooring, insulation and all other associated work needed, all to a reasonable standard, even for non habitable use for €9K or anything remotely near it.

There are so many areas in a job like this where corners can be cut, and the consequences will not be immediately apparent, but they will cost dearly in the future.

You get what you pay for.
 
I have got a quote from a guy who came recommended to me and I will have to wait about 6 weeks for job to be started as he is in such demand. 12K and I will look after the electrical & plumbing which will cost me another 600E,
He said the material come to about 4.5-5K so he making about 7k bewteen 2 guys for 2-3 weeks , he said normally a guy will put another 40% or so on top of material price which he wont do as has worked with my family on other jobs
 
The work should be done compliantly in terms of Parts K. F. and B of the builing regulations in particular.

There are several useful posts about attic conversions.

The main problem are installing the new floor joists, stairs access, insulation/ventilation of the structure, fire proofing, fire escapes and fire detection.

ONQ.
 
Fire protection would that mean a normal smoke detecter like the 2 I have in my house already, fire escape do you mean the velux windows should be easy to get out,or do u mean the new stairs access, tried checking Dubln county council, but can't seem to see what regulations are needed,
 
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