loft extension...

Mine were spanning a double garage (26' x 14')with no other support so perhaps that's why they needed to be big?

4.3m span (floor load only) would require 50x200mm joists at 400mm centres, and would deflect 10.8mm at the centre under full load

...As to the financial arrangements in this climate of lenders clamouring to loan out money, under normal circumstances I think you would have to fight them off

oldie, you can say that again... some initial inquiries have got us bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from god knows... offering this that and the other.

for us, value added is a bonus. we simply need the space. this is why losing some space on the existing 1st floor is an issue.

many thanks

enjoy

ken

rasher, it was VERY useful of you to post that photo of your staircase to the loft. got us thinking of a few possibilities. we will call an architect in -- same one i used to get office extension done beyond our utility area. if anything, this will give us ideas to compare.

enjoy

ken

quote:

---

Originally posted by trickytree:
Ken,

Another small thing to consider is that if you use a ladder to gain access to the loft you can not describe the room as a bedroom if you ever come to sell the property. To be classed as a bedroom it must have a permanment staircase.

Paul.

---

paul, many thanks. your are the second person to mention this -- we considered using a loft ladder (a better and sturdier one, just so that we dont lose any room on existing 1st floor) but we have more or less given up on this idea. time call a friendly architect, and oen or two friendly builders. 1st builder who came said we would lose half of the existing 2nd bedroom. pah!!

enjoy

ken

Ken C,

Lots of good advice here. As an architect, I would obviously suugest that you employ an architect from the word go.

The Architect should be impartial between yourself (the Client) and the Contractor, and will serve to protect you from any 'cowboys'.

Whilst it is not cheap to employ an architect, it will most probably save you money in the long term.

Please note that many other people in the Building trade will love to slag off architects, as it is part of our job to 'hassle' others to ensure that you the Client gets a good job done including getting value for money.

Any questions send me a PT.

And to Mr Cliff Patterson:

"However generally speaking architects know bugger all about planning regulations, fire regulations and civil engineering"

I would have to state my complete disagreement with the above.

1. In most projects like yours, it is our job to liaise with the planning department to ascertain what can and cannot be built and advise the client accordingly, and seek the necessary approvals.

2. Fire regulations are part of the general Building regulations and you will find a copy of these in every architect's office. There wouldn't be much point in submitting a design to the local authorities for approval if it was not in general accordance with current regulations. Just a slight waste of time.

3. Civil Engineering? All RIBA qualified architects have a basic knowledge of structural engineering, however we usually employ a qualified civil engineer to do the sums and calculate joist sizes etc. Local councils will usually require a chartered engineer to certify the integrity of the structural design.

Sure, you don't HAVE to use an architect. But this is what we spent 7 years training to do.

Then of course, if you need an operation you don't HAVE to use a surgeon.

quote:

---

Originally posted by dave brubeck:
And to Mr Cliff Patterson:

3. Civil Engineering? All RIBA qualified architects have a basic knowledge of structural engineering, however we usually employ a qualified civil engineer to do the sums and calculate joist sizes etc.

---

Hi Dave,

As I said, I did a Town Planning Degree at Manchester University and the Architects did *exactly* the same amount of engineering study as we did, and I know I know bugger all about engineering.

The only real debate is who you call first. I would suggest for a major building project the customer should call a planning practice who will then sub out the architecture and engineering work, but the planners will be best placed to know what is acceptable from ALL *legal* asspects.

Not that I am trying to sell planning consultancy of course. Mind you, the architects at Manchester were much better with Rotring pens than *us lot*.



Of course MRTPI qualified planners only do 4 or 5 years study rather than 7

Cliff,

Planning consultancy, yes, by all means for large projects, but i certainly wouldn't employ them at the 'top of the pyramid'. Better off with a hard as f**k ass-kicking GOOD project manager.

I'll let you off though because:

1. It appears you had the sense to get out of the construction game and pursue a more lucrative career.

2. You have a better hifi than myself and at the end of the day that's what it all boils down to.

Dave vonbrubeckimanarchitectandevenihatethem

innit