If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services Please read the terms and conditions before you book.
Visiting this as someone who is looking at doing a hip-to-gable loft conversion. We would actually not gain a room, we'd be loosing a box bed room (for the stairway) and essentially swapping it for a large bedroom with ensuite. In our case it makes sense - we don't intend to move home (we love our home, and our area - so the resale ROI is relatively mute, as it will add some value, and time itself will increase the value. For example, the cost for a 2 story side extension we are getting quotes of 110 - 120k, which is just unworkable (house value is 210k, 80k remaining on Mortgage). Spending 60k to make our home a liveable space for 2 adults, 2 children (with no possibility of further children) seems like a much more appealing option.
A loft conversion makes sense if the value added to your house is ~2x the cost of the loft, which only happens if your house is in premium neighbourhoods. If the difference in price between a 3 bed and a 4 bed victorian mid terrace is around £80K-£90K, and the loft costs around £45K - then it's worth it IMHO.
We were actually looking to do a loft extension but won't bother as to do a dorme, with a bathroom will cost over £60k. And it doesn't mean you would get that money back if you were to sell the house. I think we stick with doing a conservatory as it will cost less than £20k.
thanks for this, was considering but youre right, cost is probably too high to justify it.. especially since i was considering it for my top floor flat with all the leaseholder/freeholder BS involved.
Head height is still a requirement under the building regs and extending a dormer the full width of a roof is often not allowed by planners. Some local authorities have specific policies on this.
This is a good video but quite incomplete. The infirmary on the stairs is incorrect as the building regulation allows for 1.9m in the middle and 1.8m on the edge in certain circonstamcies.
Thank you for your comment. The measurements you note are only relevant in England and only for attic conversions, the Scottish regs don't have provision for lower headroom on an attic stairs.
What's the minimum dimension to go ahead in your opinion please? also people say the new loft roof will start to leak eventually just a matter of time, what's your experience on that?
It’s more complex than one minimum dimension. The pitch / angle of the roof will determine width of the habitable area. I’ve never had a new roof leak. Ever.
Is this based on UK building regs? Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe theres is a minimum requirement for stair width? You mentioned stair width must be 900mm
Section 4.3.3 of the Scottish Building Regulations, (Domestic) Technical Handbook. Effective Width of Flights and Landings. “900mm such as from one storey to another or connecting levels within a storey or 600mm where it serves only sanitary accommodation and/or one room other than accessible sanitary accommodation, a kitchen or an enhanced apartment.”
What this means in practice is the stairs must measure 900mm from wall to handrail. There only needs to be one handrail, not two. If the the attic has only one room, the stairs can be just 600mm wide, if necessary.
If you would like to book a consultation with me you can do so here - www.reallifearchitecture.co.uk/online-services
Please read the terms and conditions before you book.
Thank you for the advice. We literally just bought an end of terrace house and thought of making more space by converting the loft
Visiting this as someone who is looking at doing a hip-to-gable loft conversion. We would actually not gain a room, we'd be loosing a box bed room (for the stairway) and essentially swapping it for a large bedroom with ensuite.
In our case it makes sense - we don't intend to move home (we love our home, and our area - so the resale ROI is relatively mute, as it will add some value, and time itself will increase the value.
For example, the cost for a 2 story side extension we are getting quotes of 110 - 120k, which is just unworkable (house value is 210k, 80k remaining on Mortgage). Spending 60k to make our home a liveable space for 2 adults, 2 children (with no possibility of further children) seems like a much more appealing option.
Fascinating stuff 👍
Glad you liked it
A loft conversion makes sense if the value added to your house is ~2x the cost of the loft, which only happens if your house is in premium neighbourhoods. If the difference in price between a 3 bed and a 4 bed victorian mid terrace is around £80K-£90K, and the loft costs around £45K - then it's worth it IMHO.
We were actually looking to do a loft extension but won't bother as to do a dorme, with a bathroom will cost over £60k. And it doesn't mean you would get that money back if you were to sell the house. I think we stick with doing a conservatory as it will cost less than £20k.
thanks for this, was considering but youre right, cost is probably too high to justify it.. especially since i was considering it for my top floor flat with all the leaseholder/freeholder BS involved.
I’ve been asked to look at numerous top floor tenement flats over the years. Never once went ahead with an attic conversion
What if the loft conversion considers a dormer? Is it worth it then? Especially if the dormer is across the entire roof...
Head height is still a requirement under the building regs and extending a dormer the full width of a roof is often not allowed by planners. Some local authorities have specific policies on this.
@@RealLifeArchitecture thank you for the quick reply
This is a good video but quite incomplete. The infirmary on the stairs is incorrect as the building regulation allows for 1.9m in the middle and 1.8m on the edge in certain circonstamcies.
Thank you for your comment. The measurements you note are only relevant in England and only for attic conversions, the Scottish regs don't have provision for lower headroom on an attic stairs.
What's the minimum dimension to go ahead in your opinion please? also people say the new loft roof will start to leak eventually just a matter of time, what's your experience on that?
It’s more complex than one minimum dimension. The pitch / angle of the roof will determine width of the habitable area.
I’ve never had a new roof leak. Ever.
Is this based on UK building regs? Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe theres is a minimum requirement for stair width? You mentioned stair width must be 900mm
Section 4.3.3 of the Scottish Building Regulations, (Domestic) Technical Handbook.
Effective Width of Flights and Landings.
“900mm such as from one storey to another
or connecting levels within a storey or
600mm where it serves only sanitary
accommodation and/or one room other than
accessible sanitary accommodation, a kitchen
or an enhanced apartment.”
What this means in practice is the stairs must measure 900mm from wall to handrail. There only needs to be one handrail, not two.
If the the attic has only one room, the stairs can be just 600mm wide, if necessary.
@@RealLifeArchitecture Thanks for clarification
Take a look www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2020-domestic/4-safety/4-3-stairs-ramps/
@@RealLifeArchitecture thanks. Just subscribed to your channel. Do you have a website?