Looking for advice RE: Reconfiguring internal layout

banie01

Folks,
I may be in the wrong forum but I am unsure which of the subsections best suits my query.

I own a 1980's built 3bed 1bath Semi-D and I am in a quandry about how best to proceed.

I'd like to rearrange the 1st floor, ideally rip out all the internal walls and layout the rooms as a family bathroom, master with ensuite and 2 good sized bedrooms.
This will also allow my to get rid of the fecking stipled ceilings!
I'd also like to remove the hot-press, and ideally move the hot water tank to the attic(my gas boiler is there already) and free up the floor space for use in the reconfiguration too.
Would this be practical at all?

My roof has a fairly low pitch but I would like to configure it as a useful and usable storage space, aswell as moving the hotwater tank there too.
I appreciate this could involve dropping my 1st floor ceiling heights but if I am already removing walls and ceilings I don't see this as much more of a problem TBH.

I know some will say why not just extend?
And I have thought about it and while I have the room to go either out the side or back, I really dont need any extra room just more practical arrangement of what I have if that makes sense?
Anyways.
My questions would be.
Is this kind of reconfiguration possible?
And who would be best to get engaged to advise and design?

Thanks in advance folks.

tinca

a r c h i t e c t

Poor Uncle Tom

tinca wrote: »

a r c h i t e c t

You're bold.....:pac:

banie01

tinca wrote: »

a r c h i t e c t

Is who I'd assume would be best, but in my experience assumption is often the mother of most fúck ups
And as I have no experience in engaging construction professionals I thought it might be best to ask the advice of those in the here in ''the know'' before i decided to heck it out on a more engaged level.

So I thought I'd ask here where there would be some advice(Thanks btw)
and maybe even some constructive input on whether it was a practical idea.

Obviously my mistake

muffler

banie01 wrote: »

Is this kind of reconfiguration possible?

Impossible to say without a visit and full evaluation.

banie01 wrote: »

And who would be best to get engaged to advise and design?

As stated above (and yes the answer was obvious) an architect or you could also get an architectural technician.

If you do a search (use search box on front page) of this forum you will see the general advice is to ask people who have had work done locally to recommend/or not who they retained or sift through some online planning applications on your local council's website to see who's doing what type of work.

You could also post in this thread in the same format as the other posts.

Good luck with it

tinca

my apologies, I can try be a little more constructive

- ripping out walls can be a problem if they are structural
- moving a hot press might bring avoidable costs/issues regarding plumbing
- understanding how much useable space in your attic is difficult without knowing key dimensions
- by 'dropping ceiling heights' do you mean joists being lowered?

theoretically it is of course a practical idea but for me I would need to know more about the project. I could not comment on if extension is the solution, it may not and what you propose may very well be the correct solution but it is difficult to comment without a lot of other key information such as orientation, etc. My advice (as already posted, although a little 'boldly') would be to approach a professional. Many architects will meet to discuss your thoughts free of charge... chat to some

seamount_2013

An architect would be the best initial approach, to survey the existing area and see if what you are proposing will fit, advise on any relevant SEAI grants you may avail of for replacing your hot water cylinder & controls etc, advise on outline costs and discuss what will be involved & if it is achievable against your proposed budget. They will also prepare tender drawings and specs for pricing by contractors, inspect on site and ultimately sign off on the project compliance certs.

The movement of walls and re-location of the hot water cylinder will require some input from a structural engineer to assess your existing roof timbers to see if additional joisting / strengthening may be required and what exactly are load bearing walls at first floor level.

banie01

Folks thanks for all the constructive input sofar.
Its all very much appreciated.
I will take Muffler's advice on using the recommend a tradesperson/professional thread as I don't where to begin looking for a suitable architect in the Limerick city area.

tea and coffee

Some architects do a one off planning service. They basically look at what you have, how you could reconfigure the space and give you 2-3 drawn plans of what you could do with suggestions for suppliers, colour schemes etc if required
I used a service like this and was happy with it. Cost is around the 1000 mark.