Attic Conversion...can it be done by a carpenter & engineer with no experience?

S

Squonk

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I am looking at getting my attic converted. I have got one quote from a reputable company and am in the process of getting some more quotes and building up my understanding. A friend of mine is a very good carpenter who has been looking at getting into the attic conversion business. He wants to quote me on doing my conversion. When I voiced my concern about his lack of experience in this field he tells me that he will work with an engineer to make sure everything is structarly sound. My friend tells me he will hire in the experts to put in the steel supports.

Does this sound like a realistic proposal to anyone? My gut instinct is to pay the extra for the experience of others?
 
There are numerous issues that come up in an attic conversion that are best dealt with by an experienced attic company, as they have solved all these problems before. The big one usually is access, in most cases you will loose some of an existing bedroom so to minimise this, the type size and positioning of stairs, and the implications this will have on existing landing window are important.

Apart from the carpentry and steel supports there is also the plumbing, electrics, plastering and insulation. You can have a bad job that’s structurally sound and complies with regulations. I’d pay the extra for the experience.
 
Hi Squonk

Do you mind me asking what prices you are being quoted and what part of country you are in - I'm thinking of having attic converted also.

Many thanks

angela59
 
angela59 said:
Do you mind me asking what prices you are being quoted and what part of country you are in - I'm thinking of having attic converted also.
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It's very dependent on many things....the shape/size of your roof, semi or detached house, do you want an ensuite, number of windows etc etc. I'd guess the cost could range from 10k to 30k.
 
I'm with the opinion of the specialised attic people. My attic is structurally sound as it was completed during general renovations - but the floor is creaky, and the noise of the pump needed in the toilet....:(

Probably the specialists can solve these issues better than a general builder.
 
sidzer said:
A good carpenter should have no problem converting an attic space...

S
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What about the structural side of things i.e. making sure the roof doesn't fall in? Is that easy easy enough to manage? I dunno.
 
I'm getting my attic done later in the year and I'm going with a professional attic crowd. Have had loads of good reports about them, they are expensive but you pay for what you get I suppose. I would deffinately suggest you go with professionals, I've seen 2 horror stories firsthand of people who got a 'diy' job done by a carpenter, one can't sell his house now without getting the whole thing fixed and the other got their's fixed but it cost them over €40,000 just to fix it nevermind what they paid the original carpenter for the bad job they did.
 
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