Attic Conversion help

pureirish

Think I posted this in the wrond forum last time.

Hi,

I'm about to get the attic converted and the 2 price's I have so far have a €6.5k between them!! Has anyone recently done an attic conversion and how much did it cost?

The price I have includes for an ensuite with shower and 4 velux windows. 1 small landing, 1 small ensuite, 2 large main room.

House is a 4 bed semi. Finished attic space should be 20 feet x 16 feet.

Thanks in advance

sinnerboy

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055565819&highlight=attic

pureirish

Thanks SinnerBoy, I had seen this thread.

It seems there is a lot more to attic conversions these days than a few years ago. Have you any experience of the attached two documents? It seems even if my new room doesn't qualify for "habitable space" I need to meet the regs in these documents. This includes a fire alarm to LD2 standards which I have NEVER seen in a domestic house.

sinnerboy

LD3 - means escape routes . Required pre 2006


2006 onwards - LD 2 - means escape routes and areas of fire risk . In a home - kitchen and living room .

( not explicitly stated in in regs but - If you know someone smokes in bed- I would put a detector there too )

You should comply with these regs for the same reason you should not drive with bald tyres .


.

pureirish

Thanks Again,

Yes, I intend on complying with all regs. The most concerning part about the whole thing is I have now had 5 different quotations and not one of the contractors has known how to or has complied with all regs in their quotation. How these guys are all getting Architects to sign certs of compliance is beyond me.

If someone knows an attic conversion contractor that will comply with ALL regs please pass on their name and details. I accept this won't be the cheapest option but I want it done right first time. Not to mention my family's safety is paramount.

I am also wondering what would happen if one got in a contractor who provided a cert of compliance and then took it to court. My opinion is you would win hands down with 99% of attic conversions out there.

Builderfromhell

Ignoring the interesting legal question for the moment I would have thought that complying with the required building regs. shouldn't significantly add to costs. Briefly, you would need some wiring done and making good of plaster for alarm cabling, fire doors fitted and ensuring windows can be used as means of escape. That's it in a nut shell.

My own experience of classic errors in attic conversions is where floor has not been re-inforced or roof structure compromised by taking out timber and putting in timber supports.

Good luck.

pureirish

Yes you can ignore that question alright - not something I would have interest in pursuing. Just looking for the right person to do the job.

I agree, it isn't a major undertaking but it seems there are a lot of guys out there that just don't have a clue of the regs.

That said all have quoted for steel & supported floor and seem to know how to support the roof correctly. Only 2 out of 5 included for a fire door into the new room and a top hung window for means of excape.