Convert My Loft.

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From 1985 to 1993 we were a happy young couple in our little, two bed-roomed house. In 1993 we had a son, 1995 a daughter and 1997 another son. Our family increased from two to five in four years. We were still quite happy in our little house but we knew as the children got older and bigger they would acquire more interests and more stuff. We had to move.

We needed a three – four bed-roomed house in the ‘nice’ part of town. We couldn’t afford one. We could afford a two bed-roomed house in the ‘nice’ area or a four or five bed-roomed house in the ‘not so nice’ area.... Solution? Buy a two bed-roomed house in the ‘nice’ area that we could convert to a three or four bed-room. We got lucky. Here is the plan of the house, a two bed-roomed, mid-terraced house built in 1890.

The rooms were big, the ceilings nine feet high; it had potential.

Here is the proposed plan of the loft conversion.

 

The entire job would consist of five phases;

Phase 1. Split the rear bedroom to accommodate a bathroom in the middle of the house and change the old bathroom into a bedroom.

Phase 2. Demolish the rear chimney stack and fireplace to maximise the space.

Phase 3. Convert the loft.

Phase 4. Gut the first floor back to the brick, rewire and install new ceilings and walls.

Phase 5. Install a new kitchen in the dining room, changing it into a kitchen/diner and create a utility room and toilet where the kitchen used to be.

Phase 6. Yes I know I said there were only 5 but there were a couple of hoops to jump through for fire regs.

 

By saving and re-mortgaging we got some cash together and in 2008 we embarked on the adventure.

 

Important notice! The work described here is potentially very dangerous. Hard-hats must be worn at all times in areas where building or demolition is being carried out. Building regulations were correct in 2008; they may be different now and all local authorities have their own rules. Get your local building control involved before work commences and liaise with them on every aspect of the work. If you don’t you could be ordered to tear all of your work down. This site accepts no liability for any damage, injury or death following advice given here.

Check your building insurer allows you to carry out the work before you begin.