Loft conversion

[goooba769]

I'v got a detached house and was thinking of having a go at a loft conversion into a dorma style.
I'm a keen DIYer and would like to know how to go about doing it?

 

[masona]

Talk to the BCO first to see if it's need planning or building permission.

 

[Chri5]

I would suggest you use a builder for the steels and overall structure.

LABC rules for energy, materials, structure etc are quite complex and although you may well have the DIY skills could you:-

Provide structual calcs for loads
Design RSJ sizes and fit them
Work to Building regs parts A, B, C etc...

Last year I did my loft and as a engineer worked this:-

Planner / drawings and permission process- Via skilled person £1200
Steels, cheeks, roof, dormer, floor- Via builder £14k

Rest I did myself:-

Stud work, lagging, plumbing, electrics, internal fit, even 40sq m of Code 4 lead cladding for dormer face, cheeks and valleys.

In the end it was 12 weeks of my time and £30k. Silly really since I could have been earning and the builder quoted £35k which would have worked out cheaper

 

[noseall]

I would suggest you use a builder for the steels and overall structure.

LABC rules for energy, materials, structure etc are quite complex and although you may well have the DIY skills could you:-

Provide structual calcs for loads
Design RSJ sizes and fit them
Work to Building regs parts A, B, C etc...

Last year I did my loft and as a engineer worked this:-

Planner / drawings and permission process- Via skilled person £1200
Steels, cheeks, roof, dormer, floor- Via builder £14k

Rest I did myself:-

Stud work, lagging, plumbing, electrics, internal fit, even 40sq m of Code 4 lead cladding for dormer face, cheeks and valleys.

In the end it was 12 weeks of my time and £30k. Silly really since I could have been earning and the builder quoted £35k which would have worked out cheaper

.......wise words Chri5, wise words......

 

[ipjodan]

Chri5,

Just like me. Friend for plans/calcs. (free) builder for main structure (steel, dormer Roof structure, stairs) 13k. Rest i did my self - another 20ishk (including new kitchen) Still need to finnish off - very tired.

Get a man in!

 

[jono_h]

I'll third that (although I didn't do a loft conversion).

The advantages of doing it yourself;

i) The satisfaction
ii) Having every last detail exactly as you want it (although you should be able to get pretty close with decent drawings and talking to a builder)

It might save you some labour costs, but it will take longer to finish. Get the boys in!

 

[scottg1974]

anybody know of a way of calculating the steels yourself?? thanks.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

anybody know of a way of calculating the steels yourself?? thanks.

Yea, Enrol in a university degree course in structural engineering for 3 years!

Seriously though if you're doing it legally building control will expect it to be done by a qualified engineer and you'll have to provide them with the calcs the engineer produces.