Why have a loft conversion?

Having a loft conversion enables you to make the most of the unused space you already have in your home while providing you with some much needed additional living space for you and your family.

Loft conversions can add a significant amount of money, approximately up to 20% of the value of a property.

Many families choose to convert their loft area as a means of obtaining more space without having to endure the costly and stressful process of moving home. Work taking place in the loft can also be less disruptive than a major extension to an existing living space.

Why us?

Quality of workmanship

Quality of workmanship and the materials we use is something we pride ourselves in along with investing in new technology to keep your home clean and safe during a build process. MR T Joinery & Building LTD three core values:

SIMPLICITY

We believe that home improvement should never be a hassle and should work hand in hand with your every day family life. That’s why we handle all the hard work/ stress and are always transparent about time, effort and costs.

EMPATHY

We treat our clients homes as if it our own, we aim to minimise any disruption the project may cause. We achieve this by using our M-Class dust extractors to clean up after every working day along with HEPA rated air scrubbers to keep the household free from dust during day and night of a build. No matter what time during the working day we’re always happy to answer questions and go over all the details with you.

RELIABILITY

We say what we do and do what we say. We’ve got the best people to carry out each phase of a project and hold them to the highest standards of professionalism and quality. Everyone we work with is qualified and insured. We strive for exceptional quality across the following key areas: workmanship, punctuality, politeness and cleanliness.

Our promise to you

We’re proud of our work and our team, while we can’t guarantee that things will never go wrong, if something isn’t right we’ll be there to fix it.

Getting the process started

When you first make contact with us either via telephone or email we will take your details and organise a free consultation meeting at your property.

During our initial free consultation we will take measurements and listen to what you have in mind so we can work together to achieve the exact space you require.
In the coming days we will present you with a scaled design specifying the position of the stairs and the size and shape of the loft room.

At this stage you will receive a quotation for the work required, detailing each step so that there are no surprises and everything is as transparent as possible.
If the quotation is accepted we will issue a formal contract between you and ourselves for the works to be undertaken.

Then, from architectural plans and design, planning permission applications (if required) and building regulations, we will handle the entire process. Once we have building control approval, building works can begin on your new loft conversion.
We will be available to answer any questions and keep you up to date throughout the entire process.

Our loft conversion build process

  • Erect scaffolding where required
  • Create opening in roof for access (initial work completed from outside, minimising inconvenience)
  • Delivery of structural steel support beams for floor and dormer roof. Delivery of the majority of the structural materials will also be delivered and stored on the scaffold for minimal disruption.
  • Fitting of new floor joist, followed by first visit of building inspector to approve floor construction
  • Building of dormer
  • Completion of works on dormer by roofer, including roof    tiles Second visit from building inspection officer
  • Erection of partitioning to loft and completion of noggins
  • Insulation of all walls to meet building control regulations
  • Fitting of windows
  • Commencement of work on new staircase
  • 1st fix electrical cabling for lights and power points positioned to your specification
  • 1st fix plumbing for radiators and ensuite/ bathrooms fittings 
  • Fitting of staircase
  • Completion of plaster boarding
  • Finalisation of plastering on first floor, stairwell and loft area
  • Arrange for tiler to carry out any tiling
  • 2nd fix of electrical and plumbing, fitting of lights, sockets and interlinked smoke alarms. 
  • 2nd fix plumbing, installation of shower room fittings and connection of radiators
  • Fitting of doorframes, doors hung and skirting fixed, handrails and spindles fitted to stairs.
  • Fireproofing checked.
  • Gutters installed and checked.
  • Final inspection by building control officer for compliance with building and fire regulations
  • Your loft conversion is now complete and ready for decoration. 
  • Final client sign off along with issuing of final certificates for electrical, gas and building control completion approval.

There are a couple of checks that you can carry out yourself prior to this to see if a loft conversion would be possible.

Look for other conversions on your street.

A good way to get an idea of whether your loft can be converted is to see whether any similar houses on your street have had loft conversions. 

If you do spot some, it’s more likely to be a possibility. 

If you can, it’s also worth going one step further and asking to take a look at the loft of anyone in your street that has had it done. This will give you an idea of what sort of head height and size you can expect from your very own loft conversion. 

Measure the head height 

The minimum once finished head height you need for a loft conversion is 2m as specified by your local building control.

Ideally existing loft spaces need a minimum height of 2.2-2.3m to start with.

Victorian houses tend to be lower than those built from 1930 onwards, so may not have sufficient head height to complete a loft conversion with out raising the ridge height if permitted to do so. 

Can i have a loft conversion?

Before you start on your loft conversion journey we need to work out whether your loft space is actually suitable for a conversion. Most houses will come with an allowance for permitted development, which means that you can go ahead with your conversion without planning permission.

However, if you live in a conservation area, or if, for example, your roof space isn’t tall enough, it may be more complicated.

There are a couple of checks that you can carry out yourself prior to this to see if a loft conversion would be possible.

Look for other conversions on your street.

A good way to get an idea of whether your loft can be converted is to see whether any similar houses on your street have had loft conversions. 

If you do spot some, it’s more likely to be a possibility. 

If you can, it’s also worth going one step further and asking to take a look at the loft of anyone in your street that has had it done. This will give you an idea of what sort of head height and size you can expect from your very own loft conversion. 

Measure the head height 

The minimum once finished head height you need for a loft conversion is 2m as specified by your local building control.

Ideally existing loft spaces need a minimum height of 2.2-2.3m to start with.

Victorian houses tend to be lower than those built from 1930 onwards, so may not have sufficient head height to complete a loft conversion with out raising the ridge height if permitted to do so. 

What type of loft conversion is available?

There are four main types of loft conversion: roof light, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard. 

The one you choose is likely to be determined by a number of factors, including the type and age of house you live in, and of course your budget.

Roof light conversions 

Roof light conversions are by far the cheapest and least disruptive option, as you won’t have to make any changes to the shape or pitch of the roof. Instead, it’s simply a case of adding in skylight windows, laying down a proper floor, and adding a staircase to make the room habitable. However, you’ll need to have enough roof space already without having an extension for this type of conversion. 

Understanding Loft conversion phrases OR FAQ’s?

Builders finish Typically, a builders finish involves fitting plug sockets, light fittings, skirting boards, architraves and plastering the walls. It’s unlikely to include decorating, tiling, carpeting etc. 

If you get numerous quotations and they say your conversion will be completed to a builders finish, it’s worth double checking exactly what’s included. 

Dormer, A dormer is a type of loft conversion in which an extension protrudes from your existing sloping roof, usually at the rear of the property.

Dormers are the most popular type of conversion because they are relatively cheap to undertake compared with other types of conversion and are suitable for most properties. 

Party Wall Agreement, If your loft conversion requires you to carry out any work on the wall that joins your house to your neighbour’s, you’ll need to have a Party Wall Agreement. 

This is a formal agreement between you and your neighbour that aims to ensure the work carried out won’t endanger your neighbour’s property. It also guarantees if any damage is caused it will be put right again. 

Permitted development, Many houses have a built-in allowance for developments and extensions that can be completed without needing planning permission – known as permitted development. 

Most loft conversions are considered permitted development and can be carried out without planning permission. 

Pitch, The pitch of a roof simply means the steepness of it. Some types of loft extensions, such as mansard conversions, work by altering the pitch of the roof to create more space internally. 

Rafters, Rafters are the sloping beams inside your loft that support the roof. If you have rafters, as opposed to roof trusses, your loft should be easier to convert. 

Roof trusses, Roof trusses are timber frameworks that span the cross-section of your loft space and support your roof. Typically, roof trusses will make a loft trickier to convert than old-style rafters. 

Shell conversion, Shell conversions are part conversions, where the structural work is carried out by a building firm, but the rest is left to you.

Usually, a shell conversion involves completing all structural timber work, creating a watertight internal loft space, fitting windows and doors, chipboard flooring, a staircase and any internal stud walls. 

Velux, Velux is a popular brand of skylight that has become synonymous with rooflight windows. A Velux or roof light conversion simply involves fitting Velux/ roof lights, and is suitable only if your loft is already the right size and meets building regulations.

Like what you see?

Loft Conversion Videos

Interested in how your loft conversion will take shape?
The videos below show some of the processes we do during our builds

Areas we cover

Mr. T Joinery & Building Loft Conversion Specialists in Essex. We cover the following areas:

Brentwood, Langdon Hills, Basildon, Witham, Harlow, Rayleigh, Upminster, Hornchurch, Chelmsford, Dunmow, Braintree, Ingatestone, Maldon, Billericay, Stock, Wickford, Pitsea, West Horndon, Benfleet, Romford, Colchester, Woodham Ferrers.