Advice on attic conversion

Karey · 07-04-2022 8:25pm #1

Hi all I’ve had a couple of quotes for an attic conversion with en-suite and want to go ahead with one. Its a standard enough package but I’ve nothing in writing yet. I am wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should ensure is included or any extras that in retrospect you wish you had done at the time so I can ensure I am not missing anything as I really haven’t much of a clue!

thanks in advance

OU812 · 07-04-2022 8:43pm

Document everything (photos), any mistakes/errors, report them straight away
Double the amount of sockets you think you'll need
Get network cabling put in (even if it's not connected), much cheaper & easier to do it while the floor is up
Get wired for an intercom doorbell or additional doorbell on the landing
Make sure the floor is well screwed down before you put the carpet down
anywhere you can put a cubby door (eves boxed off), do, get proper ones, not made on site
Insulate the hell out of the eves.

Karey · 07-04-2022 8:57pm

Thanks very much Ou812, that’s a great help.

lawrencesummers · 07-04-2022 8:58pm

Try to plan where you will put a TV - it might need a socket up high.

I dont agree on the wiring for network cabling because a regular domestic modem could well cover it, but it could be needed alright depending on your house

make sure there is a structural engineer signing off on the work, you will need that when it comes to selling.

Builders tend to leave it at a “builders finish” which is plastered, no finished floor, skirting done.

If your putting down a wooden floor its nice to get that done before the skirting is in place, or at least decide on thickness of the floor and get the skirting put in with a gap underneath.

Get the crawl space in the eves floored as well, and lights installed its pain in the hole to do afterwards and some prices might not include it

CPTM · 07-04-2022 8:59pm

Few small pointers which made a difference to our attic conversion.

Big skylights (ask them to include the blinds if they can so you don't have to sort it out afterwards). If I could go again, I'd ask for triple glazed or somewhat sound insulated skyslights to ease the sound of hailstones for example (impossible to eradicate this altogether though)

If they're moving the water tank to one side, move it (if possible) above the lesser used/spare room, as opposed to above your main bedroom.

We got the ensuite sink plumbed to the mains water (instead of the water tank plus pump solution). It means you can drink from the sink in the ensuite instead of having to go downstairs.

Be aware of the shower tray size they use and compare it against the one you have in your main bathroom. Sometimes they tend to be very small (we requested a bigger one)

Certificate of compliance from an Architect should be included as a must-have by the end of the project

If they're laying a floor down, get them to use the best sound insulation underlay you can find

Do you have a window at the top of your existing stairs? If so, have a chat with them about how much of it may or may not be cut off by the attic's stairs. I went for slightly steeper steps to ensure the window wasn't cut off at all.