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There seems to be some confusion as to what a habitable loft conversion is. There are a number of different ways that a loft can be converted. However, not all loft conversions can be classified as habitable rooms unless they are constructed to comply with current Building Regulations.
A loft conversion, to be classified as a habitable room must have the following:
- Plans approved by Building Control.
- Work inspected and passed by building control.
- Insulation to comply with the correct U-Values.
- A proper fixed staircase.
- A new lobby and fire door to the entrance of the loft conversion.
- Minimum height restrictions for staircase.
- Smoke detectors.
- Electrical certificates.
- Final certification from building control.
Failing to have a habitable loft conversion that complies with all current building and fire regulations could have the following implications.
- Invalid building & fire insurance.
- Problems with selling your house in the future as your loft storage area will be seen as a non safe structure.
- The loft conversion will not be classified as an additional room but just a tidy loft storage area with no real value and in most cases the build cost will not be recovered.
- Putting your family at risk.
This is how we work:
FREE CONSULTATION VISIT
From your initial inquiry, our consultant will visit you and quickly determine the feasibility and potential of your loft. (Minimum height in loft space to the highest point 2.1 meters / 7 feet). After measuring, your specific requirements will be discussed with you and you will be advised on the most suitable loft conversion for your property. Shortly after your consultation, you will receive a full specification and fixed price quotation that is valid for acceptance for 30 days.
Once you have accepted our quote and decided to use Loft Masters to convert your existing loft space into a habitable room, our surveyors will measure up and draw plans ready to submit to your Local Authority.
Prior to submitting to the Local Authority, draft plans will be submitted to yourselves for approval. Once the plans have been approved and signed, they will be submitted to the Local Authority for determination under the Section 63 of the Town and Country Planning Act General Development 1990. (approx 2-3 months for approval to be granted if applicable)
Some houses may not require planning permission, provided the loft conversion does not exceed 40 cubic meters on a terraced property and 50 cubic meters on semi detached and detached houses (subject to permitted development condition October 2008).
All flats, commercial properties, listed building and homes within a conservation area require planning permission.
Once planning has been approved (if applicable) we will then prepare Building and Fire Regulation plans and submit to Building Control for design appraisal and structural calculations to justify the proposed design to the Structural Engineers department for checking and approval.
Upon approval, we will then serve the necessary Statutory Commencement Notice upon the Local Authority Building Control Department in accordance with the Regulation 14 of the Building Regulation 1985 (amended 1994).
Loft Masters will then obtain the following permits (if applicable) from your Local Authority prior to the works commencing:
a) Skips & material use and storage on the highway (Local Authority Highways Section)
b) Waste disposal containers (New Roads and Street Works Act 1991)
Commencement of work:
a) Erect independent tubular access scaffolding to facilitate access to the roof area.
b) Create initial external opening to the loft area and provide temporary weather proofing and secure.
c) Provide replacement water storage tank with valves, tank lids etc. (where necessary)
d) Remove and replace central heating feed and expansion tank complete with insulation jacket and ball valve.
e) Block off and secure existing loft hatch and make ready for plastering.
f) Cut into existing brickwork and prepare to receive structural steel bearing spreader plates.
g) Install structural steel spreader plates to support steel beams.
h) Provide mobile telescopic crane for site duties.
i) Liaise where necessary with the following government bodies :
1) Local Authorities Highways Department.
2) Metropolitan Police Traffic Division.
3) Local bus Operator (in case a diversion is required)
j) Install heavy duty steel beams in accordance with Structural Engineer’s design with ends of steel beams bearing securely upon structural steel spreader plates. All steel beams to be coated with fire proof coating to provide a minimum of 30 minute fire resistance.
k)Install new independent structural floor joists incorporating stress graded kiln dried structural floor joists. Joists to be fixed directly to steel frame and solid webb noggins to be placed between structural joists at steel beam connection point to prevent floor movement. Secure structural floor joists below stud wall partitions to avoid deflection or bowing.
l) Form structural walls to dormer / gable ends / mansards incorporating stress graded structural kiln timber. Provide triangulated bracing through dormer stud work to avoid movement and vibration. Clad dormer with external quality OSB to achieve stability against vibration through wind and other loadings. Finish internally with insulation, backed plaster board and skim of plaster. Provide and fit PVC-U fascia board, soffit, guttering and down pipes to dormer. Fix coloured small plain tiles to match existing at appropriate gauge, all in accordance to BS747 Code of Practice 144 Part III 1970. Provide Code 4 lead flashing where necessary on all roof junctions. Flat roof to be constructed of OSB on softwood joists, finished with 3 layers of felt, insulated, plaster boarded and finished with skim of plaster.
m) Supply and fit PVC-U windows to BBA,BSI and EN ISO 9002, internally glazed. Glass sealed units, Pilkington glass, low "E" to comply with document "L" of the Building Regulations as of the 1st April 2002. Provide alternative means of assisted escape in the event of fire through a Velux fire escape window, fitted to front slope of roof (if applicable).
n) Internal partitions are formed of sawn vertical timber studs complete with base middle and head rails, overlaid with plaster board and filled with acoustic and thermal insulation, and skim finished on either side.
o) All electrics to comply to Electricity Board requirements and Document “P”.
p) Plumbing and heating : to deal with all plumbing points, rooting in copper tubes as required to new radiators and taps. Customer to supply all sanitary ware, pump, water heaters. Loft Masters to supply radiators.
q) Prior to installing new stair well, ensure that all door ways are temporarily sealed . Install new stairwell, closed tread softwood string staircase to provide access to converted area. Fix softwood handrail to match/similar to existing.
r) Second fixings: Supply and install skirting throughout converted area. Supply and install architraves to door openings throughout converted area. Fix 30 minute fire resistant timber doors to habitable areas within converted area. Create storage area with access hatch with chip board flooring. Install Smoke detector system on each floor, interlinked and wired to the mains.
s) Arrange final inspection with Building Control.
GUARANTEE
Loft Masters give a full ten-year guarantee, with an optional insurance backed warranty, with an after sales service, which is second to none.
PEACE OF MIND
With an insurance indemnity of £10Million, and as members of Fairtrades and the government approved Trust Mark, you can rest assured that Loft Masters will provide you with an excellent service from start to finish.
