J&P Building Services LTD

You should expect when carrying out a garage conversion to have to take up a part of the foundations in order to erect a wall where the garage door would previously have been

Due to fire regulations, it is likely that the floor in the garage will be set noticeably lower down than the floor across the rest of the ground level. This floor will have to be raised to come into line with the rest of the house.

Some will be lucky enough to have a fully integral garage with walls fit for use in a living space. However, many will find that it is necessary to bring a single brick course wall up to the building regulations standards insofar as moisture and insulation are concerned.

The windows you fit to your garage conversion will not require planning permission, but under today’s regulations they will need to be double glazed and energy efficient.

Ventilation will need to be arranged via air bricks or trickle vents, and the walls, floor, and roof will need to be insulated to a degree set out by building regulations.

The heating system used in the new room will depend upon both the existing heating system and the depth of the floor in the garage conversion. A floor which is at least 150mm deep can accommodate a wet underfloor heating system as part of the existing heating set-up in the rest of the house. If the floor is of a depth below 150mm then an electric underfloor heating system can be considered, or else additional radiators can be added to the existing system.

Before you do anything else, you 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. You can ask a builder, architect or surveyor to visit your home and check this out for you, but there are also a couple of checks that you can carry out yourself prior to this.

An architect or surveyor will confirm suitability and create plans
An architect or surveyor will confirm the loft’s suitability for conversion. It is also necessary to take into account whether the building will be adequate to take the added load of a conversion. Following this, plans are drawn which also provide a basis for cost analysis, and what tasks can be done on a DIY basis.

The loft is cleared and prepped
With Building Control approval, work can be started by clearing the loft space. In this example the water storage tank was redundant because a new combi boiler was fitted. If this is still required then it will need to be moved to a convenient space to the side. Two chimney stacks were removed.

4. Rewiring is assessed
The electrical wiring and other services that are attached to joists and binders must be removed and rerouted. It provides a good opportunity to replace and improve the original wiring. This requirement is likely to mean that some services may not be available until the new wiring and any pipework can be replaced.

5. New floor joists fitted
The new floor joists can now be fitted. The actual sizes will depend upon the spans, but might typically be 50mm x 220mm C24 or C16 timbers spaced at 400mm intervals. Where there is a window or door opening below this is bridged by doubled-up timber suspended between doubled-up joists. The intermediate joists are attached to the window bridge using joist hangers. New wiring and any required pipework can now be installed.

new floor joists fitted in loft conversion
6. Floors are insulated
The spaces between the joists are filled with insulation to a depth of 100mm. Following Building Control inspection, the joists can be covered with floorboards. The roofing struts and hangers are temporary but securely reinstalled until suitable replacement arrangements are in place.

7. Floorboards laid
The tongue-and-groove chipboard floorboards are held in place with screws. A water-resistant grade is a good choice, and essential in the bath or shower room.

8. Rafters reinforced
Work can now be started in rafter reinforcement in accordance with the structural requirements, so that the purlins, struts and collars can be safely removed. This will open up the area.

9. Dormers installed (if applicable)
Dormers can now be installed. This will involve opening up the roof, so dry weather is desirable to avoid the risk of water damage. The Building Control officer will inspect to ensure that the roof structure reinforcements are as specified.

Two end dormers were fitted, and a mid dormer that is destined to be the shower room.

bungalow with loft conversion and pitched roof dormer
10. Rooflights installed
Roof windows are an effective way of letting in natural light. In this project a roof window was fitted above the stairwell. These require the surrounding timbers to be reinforced but are easier to fit than dormers.

11. Staircase fitted
The point at which the staircase is fitted will depend upon individual circumstances, but when in place will give easier access to the loft area. In this example the hallway was widened by knocking down a non-loadbearing front room to the hallway wall and rebuilding the wall 450mm into the front room.

12. Dormers tiled and vents fitted
The dormers are tiled and clad to fully weatherproof them. The end dormers in this example have tiled roofs and tile cladding, whereas the shower room has a felted flat roof and tile cladding. Scaffolding will be required for safe working. Ridge and soffit vents are fitted at a convenient stage.

13. Windows fitted in dormers
The windows are fitted in the dormer openings previously accurately measured. PVCu Class ‘A’ windows were fitted here with an egress hinge on the side-opening sash to provide a good fire exit.

14. The roof is insulated
Insulation is placed between the rafters, with a 50mm air gap between the roofing felt and the insulation, for ventilation purposes. Over this is further insulation giving a total of 100mm. In the roof space above there is 300mm of mineral wool insulation. Building Control inspection is required before the rafters and insulation are covered.

rafters insulated in a loft conversion
15. Partition walls erected
The partition walls are erected. These use 47mm x 100mm timber studs at 400mm centres, with additional noggins. A quilt is placed within the spaces between the studs as the plasterboard is attached.

16. Wall plates and first fix
Wall plates fitted between studs will provide a secure fitting to items like radiators; they can also be used to secure the boxes required for electric sockets and switches. This is an ideal time to do the first fix electrics and plumbing.

finished loft conversion for decorating
17. Electrics upgraded
The new electrics must conform to Part ‘P’ of the Building Regulations and the 17th Edition Electrical Regulations. It may be necessary to fit a new consumer unit, or additional unit if the existing one has no extra capacity.

18. Access panels for water, electrics and eaves storage
Access panels are a useful addition. Here, water supplies and central heating feeds can be connected to the loft conversion. All metal pipework is earth-bonded together.

19. Walls are plasterboarded and architrave/skirting fitted
Plasterboard attached to the studs and rafters with drywall screws will provide the basis for the decorative plaster skim. Following this, the area is painted as required, and door architrave, skirting etc. fitted and painted.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
20. Bathrooms clad and extraction fitted
The shower room walls are best clad with a cement-based aquaboard, first ensuring that all the required wall plates are fitted, and that all the required services are accessible. The shower room also requires an extractor fan.

21. Second fix, heating and finishes
With wall and floor tiling complete, the shower room items can be positioned and fitted. Second fix electrics and plumbing is progressed at a suitable time. The radiators are fitted in place, and connected to the central heating system. This picture also shows cupboard doors fitted to make use of the area behind for storage. Finally its time to decorate.

22. Decorating
The space is now ready for decoration.

J&P, designs and builds loft conversions, extensions, kitchens and bathrooms.

We also provide services such as decorating, carpentry, plumbing and certified electric and gas installation.

J&P, designs and builds loft conversions, extensions, kitchens and bathrooms.

We also provide services such as decorating, carpentry, plumbing and certified electric and gas installation.
Full 10 year guarantee

Customers recommendations ,giving people happiness of my work

J&P, designs and builds loft conversions, extensions, kitchens and bathrooms.

We also provide services such as decorating, carpentry, plumbing and certified electric and gas installation.
Giving people happiness of my work

Our builders have a reputation for delivering projects that are on time and on budget, ... We take pride in working with every one of our clients

WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE NEW CLIENTS TO OUR SITES AND SHOW THEM AROUND