The Stages

The Stages

First Contact

Schedule your appointment effortlessly by completing your details on our contact form, telephone or email to book your FREE, no-obligation feasibility survey. Once scheduled, our surveyor will meet you on-site to provide advice, as outlined on our Assessment Criteria page. We recommend familiarising yourself with our webpages, including previous projects/videos pages and our online brochures, before the survey. This will enrich your understanding of loft conversions and provide you with valuable insights.

Accepting our Quotation

Our skilled architectural designer and structural engineer will typically finalise the construction drawings within a few weeks. Upon completion, the drawings will be sent to you for approval and any desired alterations. If necessary, we’ll handle the submission to the local council for planning permission, a process that typically spans 8 weeks. Once permission is secured, the drawings are forwarded to the local Building Control Department for Building Regulations Approval.

Should you already possess architectural plans, we’re more than capable of collaborating with them seamlessly. Simply provide us with your architect’s name and contact details for any necessary correspondence.

Contract, Schedule of Works & Payments

Upon agreement, we will send you a clear and concise contract along with a detailed schedule of works via post. This contract requires signatures from both parties and a witness to ensure its legality. Throughout the loft conversion process, payments will be invoiced in equal weekly instalments.

To help you keep track of payments and work progress, we provide a customised progress Gantt chart. This chart is regularly updated and sent to you on a weekly basis, accompanied by a report outlining completed tasks prior to each payment request.

Depending on the specific type of loft conversion, the project typically spans between 5 to 9 weeks for completion. Our operational hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with the possibility of work extending to Saturdays when necessary.

velux
For Your FREE Feasibility Survey Call
023 9270 6150

Example of Progress Chart

A progress chart of a loft conversion project planner
Based on a typical 7 week project

Pre-Start Health & Safety Meeting (1 week prior to commencement)

Ensuring the safety of both you and our team is paramount. At the pre-start meeting, we’ll delve into various aspects of Health & Safety at Work, including protocols for safeguarding children, adherence to our Site Rules encompassing designated no-go zones, hard hat areas, material storage guidelines, measures for dust control and more.

 

Construction Timeline:

Day 1:

The inaugural day involves the erection of scaffolding, ensuring the loft is a safe working environment, and the transportation of materials into the roof space.

 

Week 1:

RSJ steels are promptly installed, and new floor joists are carefully positioned within the first week.

Week 2:

During the second week, additional rafters strengthen the roof structure, with Velux windows typically installed on the front elevation of the loft.

Week 3:

Week 3 sees structural alterations to the roof shape, such as dormers and hip to gable construction . This phase includes the first inspection by Building Control.

Week 4:

Installation of the staircase marks an exciting milestone of the loft conversion, allowing easy access to the new upper floor. Structural work concludes at this stage, initiating the plumbing and electrical 1st fix stage. Electrical completion certificates (Part P) are issued to comply with Building Regulations. Additionally, floorboards are securely fixed, and internal wall construction commences.

Week 5:

Rigid insulation is fitted between rafters, with multi-layer Thinsulex (or similar) spanning across the underside. The minimum 50mm ventilation gap required between roofing felt and rigid insulation is meticulously maintained to meet Building Control standards. Global warming is here and to save energy the government is constantly adjusting the requirements set out by the Protocol agencies. We keep up-to-date with all the new Building Regulations for insulating our loft conversions. At this stage the Building Inspector must approve the insulation. Note: Building Regulations regarding insulation performance has recently been updated.

Week 6:

Following insulation approval, plasterboard is securely fixed to interior walls and ceilings, followed by two skim coats of plaster.

Week 7:

Installation of the bath/ shower room suite takes place alongside the fitting of skirting boards, architraves, fire doors, and electrical items. Radiators are the final installations before completion.

Painting & Decorating:

While some clients opt to undertake this themselves, we offer painting & decorating services upon request.

Finals:

Prior to handover, we conduct electrical testing (to comply with Part P), smoke detector tests, plumbing tests, and a comprehensive inspection to ensure all components are functioning correctly. Additionally, a final roof inspection is carried out before dismantling the scaffolding.

After Care:

Our aftercare package ensures any post-handover issues are promptly addressed. Minor adjustments, such as trimming doors after carpet installation, are provided free of charge. We follow up six months and one year after handover to address any remaining snagging issues.

Guarantees:

All our loft conversions come with a standard 10-year structural guarantee. Our 10-year leak-free guarantee covers dormers, new roof work, all exterior work, and Velux windows.

Do you know what type of roof you have? Visit our Types Of Roof page for more information.

Steelwork being inserted by crane to a bungalow having a loft conversion. Velux windows installed to front and rear elevation
Dormer construction to a semi-detached house loft conversion
staircase leading up to a loft conversion bungalow case study 1
shower room suite loft conversion
Completed loft conversion in Portsmouth.
For Your FREE Feasibility Survey Call 023 9270 6150