...Welcome to Allofts...

Once you have accepted our quote and decided to use Allofts to convert your existing loft space into a habitable room, our architects will measure up and draw plans ready to submit to your Local Authority.

Prior to submitting to the Local Authority, draft plans will be submitted to yourselves for approval. Once the plans have been approved and signed, they will be submitted to the Local Authority for determination under the Section 63 of the Town and Country Planning Act General Development 1990. (approx. 2-3 months for approval to be granted)

Some properties may not require planning permission, provided the loft conversion is the first extension and does not exceed 40 cubic meters on a terraced property and 50 cubic meters on others. This condition only applies when properties are not located in a Conservation Area and are not at the junction of two public highways.

All flats require planning permission.

Once planning has been approved we will then prepare Building and Fire Regulation plans and submit to your Local Authority Building Control department for design appraisal and structural calculations to justify the proposed design to the Structural Engineers department for checking and approval. (approx. 4 - 6 weeks for approval)

Upon approval, we will then serve the necessary Statutory Commencement Notice upon the Local Authority Building Control Department in accordance with the Regulation 14 of the Building Regulation 1985 (amended 1994).

Allofts will then obtain the following permits from your Local Authority prior to the works commencing.

a) Skips & material use and storage on the highway (Local Authority Highways Section)
b) Waste disposal containers (New Roads and Street Works Act 1991)

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Commencement of work:

a) Erect independent tubular scaffolding to facilitate access to the roof area

b) Create initial external opening to the loft area and provide temporary weather proofing and secure.

c) Provide replacement water storage tank with valves, tank lids etc. where necessary.

d) Remove and replace central heating feed and expansion tank complete with insulation jacket and ball valve.

e) Block off and secure existing loft hatch and make ready for plastering

f) Cut into existing brickwork and prepare to receive structural steel bearing spreader plates.

g) Install approximately 100x600x20mm structural steel spreader plates to support beams.

h) Liaise where necessary with the following government bodies:-

1) Local Authorities Highways Department.
2) Metropolitan Police Traffic Division.
3) Local bus Operator (in case a diversion is required)

j) Install heavy duty steel beams ( RSJs ) and universal beams in accordance with Structural Engineers design with ends of steel beams bearing securely upon structural steel spreader plates.

Provide structural steel spliced beam connections incorporating where necessary fabricated bolted spliced connections comprising of 20mm end plates with 10mm fillet welds all around and a minimum of 12 super strength grade 8.8 bolts per connections.(Where specified provide structural steel cleared connections).All steel structure to be coated with Brosteel in tumescent coating to provide a minimum of 30 minute fire resistance.

k) Install new independent structural floor joists incorporating 200 x 50 stress graded SC3/SC4 kiln dried structural floor joists at 400 centers. Joists to be fixed directly to steel frame and solid webnoggins to be placed between structural joists at steel beam connection point to prevent floor movement. Secure structural floor joists below stud wall partitions to avoid deflection or bowing.

l) Supply and fit PVC-U windows to (BBA,BSI and EN ISO 9002), internally glazed. Glass sealed units, Pilkington glass, low "E" to comply with document "L" of the Building Regulations as of the 1st April 2002. Provide alternative means of assisted escape in the event of fire through a Velux fire escape window, fitted to front slope of roof.

m) Internal partitions are formed of the following 100 x 50 SC3 sawn vertical timber studs complete with base middle and head rails overlaid with laminated plaster board and filled with acoustic and thermal insulation, and skim finished on either side.

n) All electrics to comply to Electricity Board requirements.

o) Plumbing and heating: To deal with all plumbing points, rooting in copper tubes as required to new radiators and taps. Customer to supply all sanitary ware, pump, water heaters. Allofts to supply radiators.

p) Prior to installing new stair well, ensure that all door ways are temporarily sealed. Install new stairwell, closed tread softwood string staircase to provide access to converted area. Fix softwood handrail to match/similar to existing.

q) Second fixings: Supply and install 150mm molded/shaped skirting through out converted area. Supply and install 75mm molded/shaped architraves to door openings through out converted area. Fix 30 minute fire resistant timber doors to habitable areas within converted area. Provide and fix self closing devices to all doors including the existing stairwell. Create storage area with access hatch with chip board flooring. Install Smoke detector system on each floor, interlinked and wired to the mains.

r) Arrange final inspection with the Local Authority Building Control