Attic conversion - general tips?

DublinWriter

We're looking at getting the attic converted (newish 4-bed semi-d) and I'm in the process of getting three quotes.

Any advice as to things to avoid/watch/be aware of when builders make recommendations?

muffler

Before sinnerboy says it make sure you comply with Part B of the building regs (fire escape)

derekkinsella

We got a quote recently from a company who gave us loads of info. Were trying to arrange the money now but in this climate its proving difficult.
The main thing is if you want to sell the house in future as a habitual attic space then you need to make the adaptions when your doing the conversion otherwise it wont pass leglislation. But there are ways around it. They gave us a copy of the building practices and tech guidances. You can download some of this stuff on teh dept of envir health and local government

sydthebeat

derekkinsella wrote: »

.... But there are ways around it....

care to elaborate before i deleted this post and ban you for a forum breach??

ninjaBob

Just a quick question on this (my attic space is not going to be a habitable space. It's a Server Room / Storage area divided in 2 with a fire door).

Basically my joists are 6" so I don't believe I have depth to carry constant traffic.

We put 2 sheets of 1" ply (Good Quality) and cross lapped and screwed them into the joists (every 6 inches). Where we had access we bridged the joists to give extra strength.

Our intention is to put down a soundproof underlay and laminate floorings to further strengthen the attic. I could go with a cheap solid wood and have it nailed into the plywood if it would increase the strength.

Is there anything else that I can do to improve the overall strength of the attic itself ?

sinnerboy

ninjaBob wrote: »

Is there anything else that I can do to improve the overall strength of the attic itself ?

Read carefully now - and refer back to charter to see where I am coming from - employ a structural engineer . . Any other course of action is reckless .

And as for Fire , Ventilation and other issues see here

http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1657,en.pdf

The fact that most attics are converted without professional advice is not to say they should be .

It seems so simple . Easy to get wrong .

zeroeight7

My foot accidentaly went through loft floor, we now have a huge hole directly above the stairs, we were thinking instead of covering up the opening, we get attic conversion stairs done ( as attic conversion is whats intended eventually when we've saved enough). Anybody know the cost of getting attic conversion stairs and fitting them?.....

finnyj

Im in the process off designing my own attic conversion myself for a four bed semi. The best price i could get for a stairs was 1600 euro supplied only from <SNIP>. Prices varied from this to appox 3500 supplied and fitted. The stairs is 800mm wide and has two quater landings.

Edit: Do not name a company on thread. Please read the charter before posting again. Infraction given.

the_syco

derekkinsella wrote: »

The main thing is if you want to sell the house in future as a habitual attic space then you need to make the adaptions when your doing the conversion otherwise it wont pass leglislation. But there are ways around it.

One of the "ways around it" that I've seen is not list it. I've seen a few houses sell as 3 bedroom houses, with an attic conversion. The attic is listed as "storage space", yet a bed would be in it when it's been viewed. Me thinks its becuase for the room to be "habitual", the roof has to be of a certain height for X amount of space (I could be wrong in that), so you can't list it as a 4 bedroom house, but listing it as a 3 bedroom house with attic storage space seems to be okay. The house in question sold for a good bit more than other properties on the same road because of this. Have looked to see is there any houses in the particular estate in Leixlip that has a high amount of converted attics, but none are on daft.ie

Mellor

That can happen Syco.
And it would sell for more than a bare 3 bed, but that's because it is more than a bare 3 bed. The attic storage space is a useful addition, its adds value. However, it would sell for less than if it was fully converted to a genuine 4 bed.

gman2k

home office, bathroom, storage space are all examples of rooms that don't have to comply with the habitable space dimensions - but do have to comply with other relevant parts of the building regs - Part L, B, F etc.

One of the common pitfalls I used to come across when looking at attic conversions for people was access to this 'new' space. It obviously needs a stairs up there, which has to comply with Part K also.
The problem with most house designs, is that there is not sufficient space within the stairs/ landing area below to create the necessary dimensions for the new stairs up.
It often then meant sacrificing a small bedroom/ or bathroom to create this new stairs space.
If then, the new attic space dimensions do not comply with habitable space requirements, you need to balance the fact of losing good space below, for small gain above!
I talked a number of clients out of doing this major surgery to their homes where it did not really suit due to the above.
Also - at the OP - have you had detailed accurate drawings prepared for these quotes? As a good set of survey and design drawings will let you know what is possible (obviously)

Mellor

gman2k wrote: »

One of the common pitfalls I used to come across when looking at attic conversions for people was access to this 'new' space. It obviously needs a stairs up there, which has to comply with Part K also.

True, but remember also that Part K is more lenient when it comes to attic conversations. Some of the ways used to save space are;

1. Narrower Stairs
2. Spiral Stairs
3. Alternate tread Stairs

All of which are acceptable.

focus_mad

Yeah me aul pair bought our house a few years back and the attic conversion didn't meet fire regulations (I actually think the F**kers did it themselves) so they had to advertise it as an additional room with potential as opposed to a bedroom or living space

gman2k

Mellor wrote: »

True, but remember also that Part K is more lenient when it comes to attic conversations. Some of the ways used to save space are;

1. Narrower Stairs
2. Spiral Stairs
3. Alternate tread Stairs

All of which are acceptable.

All of which may be acceptable legally, but from an aesthetic and resale-able point of view, may actually detract from the value of your house!
I have always advised people that spiral stairs actually take up more ro0m, because of the bigger footprint!

Mellor

A bad set would be terrible. I agree.
But i'm not in the habit of designing bad stair cases. Always suitable for the use.
And they might fail to add max value, but a narrow stairs plus converted storage, adds more than converted and a stira, or no conversion

Narrow stairs = Is a slight reduction, nothing un comfortable. Most people would rather the additional bedroom space.

Alternate steps = Can be visually one of the best looking. But surely client specific. Work well for single story loft sleeping space.

Spiral stairs = Think outside the box. The centre doesn't have to be vertical. If it is angled to pull the top tread over the first, it can take up 1 sqm

Mellor

To be clear, for a habitable bedroom above, a full staircase is always best, as is fire reg compliance,
My suggestion above are purely an alternitive to a stira for a compact access to attic storage or similar, and are only suitable some of the time
personally hate spiral stairs