What to do??

Hi.

Im after some advice please.

I have a 35m2 building beside and separate to my house. I am looking at converting this into a small studio style apartment to use for visitors. Our house is a small 2 bed so have little room when people do arrive. We may also consider renting but are undecided on this.


The plan in my head is this:
1.Convert the downstairs area, currently an office, into sitting and kitchen area. Really not much to do here bar a few kitchen units and sink etc and furnishings.

2. Stud off an area for toilet/shower area.
Planning on self contained shower unit with electric shower toilet and wash basin.

3. Have the bedroom in the loft. This is the tricky bit that I need advice with.
When built, the loft area of the building was fully slabbed, plastered and carpeted and is currently used as storage. There is a velux window inserted in roof and would ideally insert another. The height is restrictive though. I am 6ft and I have to stoop and this is in the apex area of the roof.
Am I right in saying that my only option to increase this roof height would be to remove the roof and build up walls and/or raise roof pitch?
Is this costly to do?
Would there be any other option that I might consider?

I am aware that planning would be necessary but want an idea of what I am getting into.
Any advice much appreciated.

Builderfromhell

It would be worth getting a Architectural designer around for a chat on the understanding that s/he gets the design and planning job if s/he impresses you with their knowledge and ideas.

893bet

You will need planning permission.

893bet

893bet wrote: »

You will need planning permission.

Yes I know that....I also stated it in my post.





Am I thinking down the correct lines of roof removal and building up the wall plate?
Or would changing the pitch in roof suffice?

Calahonda52

Your post is silent on how well insulated all of this is.
My gut feel for this is, assuming you get planning and that may be a bridge too far, would be to keep the upstairs for storage and add on an additional piece as bedroom: keep it all on the one level, make the bathroom meet the disabled requirements and have it as a potential granny flat.
The loft idea involves a world of hurt, IMO.

Get the planning sorted first before you spend too much mula on Grand Designs

Re the roof idea in your last post, whats the footprint now

Calahonda52

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Your post is silent on how well insulated all of this is.
My gut feel for this is, assuming you get planning and that may be a bridge too far, would be to keep the upstairs for storage and add on an additional piece as bedroom: keep it all on the one level, make the bathroom meet the disabled requirements and have it as a potential granny flat.
The loft idea involves a world of hurt, IMO.

Get the planning sorted first before you spend too much mula on Grand Designs

Re the roof idea in your last post, whats the footprint now

The place is very well insulated. It was used as a workplace for my wife who spent the day in there so was a requirement in the initial build.

I dont understand what you mean by footprint? Do you mean the area of the place? If so it is 35m2