Converting attic to Bathroom & Office

qwerty1505

Hi,

I have a three bed house, which has a downstairs toilet for guests and an en-suite on the master bedroom - hence the main bathroom is used by the kids mainly. We currently use the box room as an office. If we convert the attic to a bedroom, then we effectively still only have three bedrooms (taking new attic into account as bedroom, although I am aware it would probably not be classed as a official bedroom) and an office in the box room.

So what we are thinking of doing is creating a bedroom from main bathroom (will comply with min bedroom size) - so effectively we have 4 bedrooms on the first floor. Then in the attic we are thinking of creating a nice sized main bathroom with separate bath and show etc.. for the kids to use, along with a small separate office. So we retain a separate office space but now have 4 bedrooms to accommodate the kids.

My husband is going to talk to his friend first who is a plumber to see if there are any big flaws with moving the bathroom to the attic before we get someone out to properly look at the feasibility of this idea. We are aware we will need to apply for planning permission as we would want a small velux to the front for the office area, and possibly one to the side for the new stairs & new small attic landing. We are also think we'd want sound proofing and also my husband was saying about additional/new pump for water pressure.

But I wanted to check if there is any regulations regarding moving bathrooms to the attic, or not having a main bathroom on the first floor etc?? Just trying to gauge if the idea is complete impractical before we spend too much time thinking/planning, etc..

Gumbo

qwerty1505 wrote: »

Hi,

I have a three bed house, which has a downstairs toilet for guests and an en-suite on the master bedroom - hence the main bathroom is used by the kids mainly. We currently use the box room as an office. If we convert the attic to a bedroom, then we effectively still only have three bedrooms (taking new attic into account as bedroom, although I am aware it would probably not be classed as a official bedroom) and an office in the box room.

So what we are thinking of doing is creating a bedroom from main bathroom (will comply with min bedroom size) - so effectively we have 4 bedrooms on the first floor. Then in the attic we are thinking of creating a nice sized main bathroom with separate bath and show etc.. for the kids to use, along with a small separate office. So we retain a separate office space but now have 4 bedrooms to accommodate the kids.

My husband is going to talk to his friend first who is a plumber to see if there are any big flaws with moving the bathroom to the attic before we get someone out to properly look at the feasibility of this idea. We are aware we will need to apply for planning permission as we would want a small velux to the front for the office area, and possibly one to the side for the new stairs & new small attic landing. We are also think we'd want sound proofing and also my husband was saying about additional/new pump for water pressure.

But I wanted to check if there is any regulations regarding moving bathrooms to the attic, or not having a main bathroom on the first floor etc?? Just trying to gauge if the idea is complete impractical before we spend too much time thinking/planning, etc..

You will need more than a small velux.
You will need to comply with Part B of The Building Regulations at the minimum with regards to Fire Safety, that may include protection of structural members, 2 separate means of escape/rescue, increased fire detection and alarm system, protected escape route down through the house as you are adding an additional storey onto the existing dwelling.

im sure the plumbing issues can be overcome with pumps etc to increase water pressure and you will have to leave enough space for water tank etc

Once you keep the toilet at ground floor, you are not in breach of Part M of the Building Regulations.

RITwing

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qwerty1505

kceire wrote: »

You will need more than a small velux.
You will need to comply with Part B of The Building Regulations at the minimum with regards to Fire Safety, that may include protection of structural members, 2 separate means of escape/rescue, increased fire detection and alarm system, protected escape route down through the house as you are adding an additional storey onto the existing dwelling.

im sure the plumbing issues can be overcome with pumps etc to increase water pressure and you will have to leave enough space for water tank etc

Once you keep the toilet at ground floor, you are not in breach of Part M of the Building Regulations.

Sorry I just meant that we would need a velux to the front for the office space, in addition to the velux at the back for the bathroom and possibly side for the stairway/landing.

Completely understand that the Building Regulations with regards adding additional floor would need to be met also and would want these fully complied with seen as we have children in the house.

Gumbo

qwerty1505 wrote: »

Sorry I just meant that we would need a velux to the front for the office space, in addition to the velux at the back for the bathroom and possibly side for the stairway/landing.

Completely understand that the Building Regulations with regards adding additional floor would need to be met also and would want these fully complied with seen as we have children in the house.

Where are you based. Some BCO's have been known to offer advice to the public in attic conversions in my Locql Authorthy (Dublin).

qwerty1505

I'm in South Dublin - I will defo pop into them then and have a chat and see what they say - Thanks!