The Process
Firstly we shall take a survey of your property, this usually takes an hour with no obligation or cost to yourself.
Within 1 week we shall provide you with:
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a full specification
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a fixed quotation
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a schedule of works, detailing the timeframe of each section of the conversion
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a payment plan which states the required stage payments throughout the conversion
We can also provide a list of previous customers should you wish to discuss any further matters or have a look at a previous conversion
If you're happy with the quotation we shall require a deposit to secure your installation date, we then have our designer prepare your drawings for submission to the required Local Authority together with the required structural calculations.
Once the drawings and calculations have been approved we can begin the conversion. On commencement we supply you with a snagging sheet where we urge you to check every part of the conversion once complete.
The final payment is then made once you are completely satisfied AND you have your certificate from the local authority.
Types of Conversion
FLAT ROOF DORMER
By far the most common type of conversion is the Dormer. This type of loft conversion creates the most usable floor and ceiling area which often lead to this room becoming the largest within your home. They are most common amongst houses with minimum available height within the loft and can be installed on most types of house
The internal walls are mostly vertical like a normal room of the house with a flat ceiling providing maximum room. This type of loft conversion usually provides more versatility when positioning the new staircase as the new stairwell can often be fitted directly above the existing one so that no space is lost on the existing hallway
The roof of the dormer can normally be pitched or have a flat roof dependent on the existing height of the ridge of the roof
L-Shaped DORMER
Similar to the standard flat roof dormer, this type of loft conversion also creates the most usable floor and ceiling area which often lead to this room becoming the largest within your home. This is most suitable for houses with a rear addition or extension as found in many Victorian properties
Pitched roof dormer
When there is lots of headroom within the loft, it is often possible to create these kind of dormers. They can be more pleasing to the eye within the street scene when placed on the front of the property and may also be required to match other existing properties. Some properties may have 2 or 3 of these on front and/or rear of the property. It is also quite possible to have these on the front combined with a flat roof dormer on the rear to gain maximum space
HIP TO GABLE
A Hip to Gable type loft conversion is most common on Semi-detached, detached, end of terrace or bungalows where the existing roof has 3 or 4 sloping roofs.
The existing ridge of the house is extended out level with the existing end wall to form a ‘gable end’ to the side of the house.
Dependent on the height of the existing ridge a dormer can then be constructed to the rear to maximise the available floor space
VELUX
A Velux loft conversion is normally favoured when the existing footprint of the house is substantial and the ridge is of adequate height. The existing roof shape remains the same as no dormers are added - although smaller ‘pitched roof dormers’ are sometimes added to give a town house kind of appearance.
Staircase positions can sometimes be limited with this type of conversion and all rooms within the new loft conversion have sloping walls as opposed to the dormer type conversion
FAQ
Our most commonly asked questions are below. Please click your pointer over the relevant question to reveal the answer.
Alternatively feel free to contact us and ask any further questions
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Is there enough height within my loft?The very first consideration is whether or not your house has enough height within the loft to be able to have a conversion. To check this a measurement needs to be taken from the absolute highest point within the Loft apex, down to the ceiling of the floor below (but on the side of the Loft). So effectively this is the absolute highest to the absolute lowest points. This measurement must be at least 2.5metres (2500mm). If your loft does not have this height, there are further options where the ridge of the roof may need to be lifted to provide the required height
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Can any loft be converted into usable living or leisure space?Provided there are no structural problems associated with the roof or house itself, elite lofts can transform virtually any loft area into useable living space like bedrooms, studies, offices and bathrooms.
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How long will the loft conversion work take?The time taken to complete a conversion is normally between 5 and 7 weeks depending on the requirements of the conversion
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Is there a lot of mess and disruption to the rest of the house?All materials are lifted externally up into the roof space during the conversion. Work is then carried out by entering the conversion through the newly created windows rather than through the house. We then open the ceiling aperture for the new staircase from inside the loft – but make sure the first floor area is sheeted up. We also construct a tarpaulin catch net below the opening so that no mess or dust is created within the house itself
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How much will the loft conversion cost?This can only be assessed following a full and detailed survey of the site. We will be pleased to arrange a visit and provide you with a "no obligation, fixed-price" quotation. Please see the contact page for more details. The visit takes no longer than 1 hour and can be arranged at your convenience
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Do I need to get planning permission and building regulations approval?You do not normally need planning permission for a loft conversion if the overall size of the house remains the same and the height has not increased. All conversions still have to be built to comply with stringent building standards, which are controlled and monitored by your local authority. Our Designer will provide you with a full set of plans for you to approve before any applications to your Local Authority are made. We will deal with all applications on your behalf. Taking care of all the necessary paperwork is all included as part of our service to save any worry for our customers whilst still keeping you informed at every stage
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I have a water tank in my loft?Usually any water tanks are moved to an agreed area within the loft conversion so that they are not seen but are still accessible. Depending on the requirements of the loft conversion the tanks can be removed totally and the system is sometimes changed over to a fully pressurised system or to a combination type boiler. As each loft is very different, we can advise on the best system for each conversion
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I want a conversion - should I get some drawings made up?We will arrange for our Designer to visit and draw up the initial plans for the conversion. The drawings are then sent to you once complete. Once you have checked them, we shall then submit the drawings together with the structural calculations to your local authority. Once the local authority has approved them, we can then start your conversion
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Will I get a certificate for the work?Absolutely, all work is carried out to strict regulations enforced by the Local Authority who will check the conversion at agreed stages. No work is allowed to carry on until each stage is checked and signed off. Upon completion the local authority will then issue a completion certificate.
The Party Wall Act 1966
Where a property shares an adjoining wall with a neighbour you must have a written agreement between both parties before work commences
Because of the shared ownership of a party wall between neighbours the property owner must notify their neighbour of their intention to undertake any work that will affect the party wall and also receive consent from their neighbour through a written party wall agreement.
You can download our generic party wall agreement to issue to your neighbour for them to sign by following the following link:
If you cannot get written agreement from your neighbours you will need to employ the services of a party wall surveyor.
Further advice is available from your Local Authority or you can read the Party Wall Explanatory Booklet on government planning portal website
Building Regulations
All loft conversion require building regulations approval and some loft conversions also require planning permission
Building regulations must be adhered to as laid down by your local authority and are mainly concerned with the structural integrity and interior building work being undertaken within your house. Drawings and various calculations are submitted to the local building control department who will then check for items as follows;
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the structural strength of the new floor is sufficient
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the stability of the structure (including the existing roof) is not endangered
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safe escape from fire
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safely designed stairs to the new floor
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reasonable sound insulation between the conversion and the rooms below
A loft conversion is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to certain conditions
For further information on Building Regulations please follow this link to the government planning portal: building regulations
Planning Permision
Most major changes to existing buildings or to the local environment need consent - known as planning permission. Without a planning system everyone could construct buildings or use land in any way they wanted, no matter what effect this would have on other people who live and work in their area.
Your local planning authority is responsible for deciding whether a development - anything from an extension on a house to a new shopping centre - should go ahead
Permission is required where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions.
For further information on planning please follow this link to the government planning portal: planning permision
