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Loft Conversion

How much damage will a velux loft conversion do to the rest of the flat?

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 2.35 PM

I suspect that any answer to this will begin with "it depends...", but I'll ask the question anyway. We've just bought a flat that's in desperate need to redecoration. We're installing a new kitchen and bathroom and laying new wood floors. We're also having the walls and ceilings skimmed and repainted. In addition this, we're planning to have a velux loft conversion done in a year's time. A couple of builders have told us not to bother with things like painting because the loft conversion is likely to destroy all of the work. This is really discouraging as we're spendings a lot of money to redecorate (which cannot wait a year). Also, one of the builders said that we'd need to leave the flat for THREE MONTHS because of the dust. That sounds insane. Where are we supposed to go? We could go away for a couple of weeks during the most messy phase, but three months is not doable. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

2 Answers

Anonymous user

I think that people are trying to scare people for fun sometimes. I have done many lofts in the last 2 years and that is not something that i ever heard before. Unless your hight is very little, or unless your ceilings need to be dropped, which you can check yourself by measuring the hight from your ceiling to reach plate in the attic, that is never the case. A builder that knows how to build a loft, knows as well how to seal doors, carpets, flooring etc. There is no need for smashing down all the house to build a loft conversion. Yes, the works at some point require cutting the access into loft, which means dust and a bit of mess, but at the end of the day once stairs are fitted in, cleaning its a must. If the builder is organised, a labourer cleans every evening, doors are properly sealed during works with corex sheets and tape, no dust will affect other rooms. And a loft conversion of 20-30 square meters will never take 3 moths of work. Single dormers done by someone that knows what is doing will take maximum 5-6 weeks and a double dormer 6-7 weeks. I have never seen a loft taking 12 weeks unless the builder does artistic carpentry or sleeps during work. At the end of the day, if you research for reputable companies that can show you past work, speak to their clients about timing, costs, behaviour, payment plans, etc., you will find that is not scary as some say. Hope this helps! Radu@EXLO

Answered12 February 2016

HTM JOINERY

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Manchester

without seeing the flat It's difficult to pass a opinion on the project, having done all types of loft conversion's over a 13 year period there is always a way to overcome difficult situations, if were talking about removing the ceiling to gain more height in the loft , it can sound messy but there are ways around it. most of the work is undertaken by gaining access through the roof with a scaffold provided. regards H.TENCH

Answered20 January 2016