Sanger Builders ltd

Step 1: Carry out an assessment of your garage and decide how you can utilise the space. If it’s currently used to store large items, you may have to consider dedicating a section of your garage towards the storage of these items or relocate them to an outbuilding such as a lock-secured garden shed.

Research recommended contractors nearby and gather several quotes for the work. Note, if there is any electrical, gas or plumbing work to be carried out, ensure that the contractor is registered with the correct governing body and they are able to certify their work.

Step 2: All planning and building regulations and requirements will need to be considered. You may need planning permission from your local authority if the work involves converting your garage into a habitable space. If you have any doubt about gaining planning permission or meeting building regulation requirements, always ask your local authority, who will direct you.

Where possible, ask for written confirmation of any advice provided by your local authority so that you can ensure that you have the correct permissions to carry out your conversion.

Step 3: Obtain a written contract from Sanger Builders Lld, which clearly states everyone’s responsibilities and what you need to pay on completion of the project.

Step 4: Once the contract is in place and you have all permission approved you can start by clearing out the garage space. If you’re expanding an existing room such as a kitchen, then now would be the ideal time to knock-through the wall. Once the debris has been cleared, you can commence with any electrical works and pipe work installations for gas and plumbing.

Hint: if the space will be used as a guest room or a playroom, you may want to consider under-floor heating.

Step 5: It’s highly likely that a garage conversion will involve the installation of at least one new external cavity wall and this stage of the conversion would be an ideal time to do so. Diligence must be taken to ensure that the wall is of sound build and is able to repel moisture from the ground (damp proofing) and also resist the outside elements.

Any new windows and doors can also be installed at this stage followed by any radiators and kitchen or bathroom units.

Step 6: Now that the majority of the building works have completed, you can begin to decorate your new space. To avoid any stains or damage to your new flooring, it may be best to get painting before the floor or carpet is laid.

Step 7: Once you’ve decorated your newly converted garage, you and your family can begin to reap the benefits of the additional space in your home!

Check your loft is suitable for conversion. Lofts with a minimum head height of 2.3m are usually seen as fit to convert, although obstacles like chimneys or water tanks, as well as the pitch of the roof, can also affect this decision.

1. The roof space is inspected for suitability
An inspection of the inside of the roof space will provide information as to its suitability for conversion. The main features to initially consider include height, access and obstacles. Here, a water storage tank and chimney stacks formed the main obstacles, but the height and pitch suggested that conversion was possible.

2. 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.

3. The loft is cleared and prepped
With Building Control approval, work can be started by clearing the loft space. If for example the water storage tank is 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. If 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.

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.

10. Rooflights installed
Roof windows are an effective way of letting in natural light. In a project where a roof window has b een 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.

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.

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.

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.

Sanger Builders Ltd was established in 2010 by Sean, who has over 30 years experience in the building industry.

We specialise in extensions and loft conversions as well as offering a full range of general building services, painting and decorating and gardening, paving and fencing.

Our building company is based in Bromley, Kent. We cover all surrounding areas in London and within the M25, as well as other parts of Kent, and Surrey.

We provide high quality workmanship and excellent customer care, with free no obligation quotations and advice.

We pride ourselves on our local reputation and customer recommendations.

Internal & External building, decorating and gardening services for domestic and commercial property.

Legal protection you can trust
By offering guarantee insurance, our customers can benefit from extra peace of mind about your legal protection in the unlikely event of something going wrong during, or after the installation. We are protected by a UK authorised insurer so that you can be sure of receiving high quality legal protection should anything unforeseen happen.

Peace of mind
With Sanger Builder Ltd, we guarantee you to rest safe in the knowledge that you’ll be complying with the law, what’s required by law, so that we can deliver the best service possible to your customers.

A better reputation
Offering a high quality work to guarantee from our respected and valued customer based. With an established reputation for offering comprehensive insurance cover.
10 year guarantee

We get to build the stuff people depend on
A strong construction industry equals a strong economy
We get to see immediate results from your work
Every day is something new
We get to collaborate with different teams
Collaborating with our teams to overcome obstacles and fix problem on the jobsite is another way we put our skills to use. Strong network are formed in any projects, as everyone depends on everyone else to get the job done.

1. The Innovation Game
2. Industry Growth
3. Build My Own Success

Reasons for choosing us
1. Small enough to care, large enough to cope
2. Trusted advise, imaginative solutions
3. Adding Value not complication
4. Experts in the clouds
5. A seamless transition