Loft conversion vs Extension
- Thread starter psd99
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A loft conversion is much cheaper if your loft is suitable (look at your neighbours have any had them done) however you often lose space by needing to add in a staircase, lofts can be awkward layouts and head room and if you're sacrificing a small bedroom to create a staircase to just add a larger room in the loft values may not change.
Soldato
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Unless you’re planning a large, Dormer type loft conversation, having an extension built from scratch (foundations, walls, roof etc) will always be the most expensive option.
Be aware that there’s a big difference in the building regs between boarding up a loft to make it a hobby/kid’s playroom and making it into a bedroom. Think about where the stairs would go for a start.
Be aware that there’s a big difference in the building regs between boarding up a loft to make it a hobby/kid’s playroom and making it into a bedroom. Think about where the stairs would go for a start.
so thinking of the other thread if we suggest that an extension is around £1500 to £2750 per sq meter. (I appreciate that this price includes foundations concrete etc)
what would that equivalent price be for a loft conversion in the south east? (yep I know I am probably comparing apples and eggs here but I do struggle to understand why a loft conversion with a dormer can cost 30k-40k) which sounds is on par with an extension quote
what would that equivalent price be for a loft conversion in the south east? (yep I know I am probably comparing apples and eggs here but I do struggle to understand why a loft conversion with a dormer can cost 30k-40k) which sounds is on par with an extension quote
Depending on your roof structure, the whole thing may need to come off and be rebuilt, or at least be significantly structurally altered (e.g. with our loft there are beams across it at chest height, fine for sticking a few boxes up there, but no good for living space).
yer the roof definitely needs to come off and be rebuilt - so would tiles, new wood mortar etc actually be more expensive than say bricks + a concrete foundation? talking about material costs here not labour
yer not rocket science but then if say someone quotes 40K for an extension and then 35K for the loft - how can the loft really be that expensive?
Soldato
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We were quoted £30k for a loft conversion which was a Velux conversion with hip to gable for the landing, that included toilet off the landing, stairs, all electrics and plumbing. Everything but carpet/decorating.
Just posting if it helps at all, obviously yours could be a completely structure/cost
Just posting if it helps at all, obviously yours could be a completely structure/cost
did that include things like radiators, windows, doors etc?
If not what kind of costs did u finish up with there? Where are u based?
You can't really focus on material costs alone, whilst I'm not an expert, a loft conversion is going to have extra costs compared to a new extension when replacing the roof, e.g. scaffolding, protecting the house from the elements while the roof is off, waste disposal of the old roof etc. I'd imagine these would add at least a few £k to the overall amount
Soldato
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That was everything except carpet and decorating
Manchester
It's dawned on me I've made a mistake here, the toilet was additional £4k so it was £34k
I've just looked at the quote again which we received last summer and it was definitely £34k Inc the toilet
Completely incorrect. Boarding a loft is not even close to converting a loft in to a usable room. Very different concepts and technical requirements.
yer that's probably the going rate imho somewhere between 30 and 40k.
I appreciate you are special, but i meant in comparison, there is less work involved, unless he needs a whole new roof putting on
You call me special, yet tried to pass off "boarding a loft" as the equivalent to what is actually required for a loft conversion, not limited to just the following, reinforcing or fully installing flooring joist, reinforcing roofing truss work, even adding dorma's. Take a minute before being flippant with posts such as that.
Having had two houses with loft conversions, already in when we got them(although current one is not an official building-regs room, despite fixed stairs), Just be aware that they tend to be quite cold in the winter and rather hot in the summer.
In neither case have we used it as a bedroom, current one is a kids' playroom, but I wouldn't fancy sleeping in them in hot weather.
In neither case have we used it as a bedroom, current one is a kids' playroom, but I wouldn't fancy sleeping in them in hot weather.
I've done both
similar prices for the structures but a lot more space gained in the loft
@Haze , the vast majority of loft conversions require significant work to create a floor as the existing structure is usually only designed to holding the weight of the ceiling it supports
My loft is a lovely temp all year round so long as you control the amount of solar gain in summer. The key is to insulate to a very high standard below the rafters, but also in the attic floor to stop heat leaching in from all the bedrooms below
similar prices for the structures but a lot more space gained in the loft
@Haze , the vast majority of loft conversions require significant work to create a floor as the existing structure is usually only designed to holding the weight of the ceiling it supports
My loft is a lovely temp all year round so long as you control the amount of solar gain in summer. The key is to insulate to a very high standard below the rafters, but also in the attic floor to stop heat leaching in from all the bedrooms below
Caporegime
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Your usually always better off with an extension over a loft conversion.
Loft conversion is much cheaper usually but the space just isn't as easily accessible, will usually be restricted in size and height and without the proper features illegal to call a bedroom.
Loft conversion is much cheaper usually but the space just isn't as easily accessible, will usually be restricted in size and height and without the proper features illegal to call a bedroom.