Shell loft conversions
With many different types of loft conversion and multiple ways to make it your own (with different materials, types of insulation and windows), a shell loft conversion (or first-fix) is a basic type of conversion, perfect for people who may want to take on some DIY themselves, or have a limited budget.
Reading that sentence, it may feel that there isn’t much work involved, but that’s not correct… The first fix involves all major structural work, including the installation of joists, dormer(s) and structural floor. Once this shell has been fulfilled, it’s over to you to take on the design and finishes, as well as any further work in terms plumbing and electricity – shell loft conversions are literally structural.
What’s the process?
There are four key stages of a shell loft conversion:
- Establishing whether planning permission is required and what it would entail, or whether it could be completed under permitted development.
- Architectural plans with structural engineering calculations to ensure everything is compliant
- The plans are approved by you, and the shell loft conversion is created, with new beams, joists, suspended floors and dormers all created and installed, along with windows and a staircase.
- The shell is complete, so it’s time to bring in people to do second level fixes, including plumbing, plastering and electrical installations, along with second fix carpentry.
What’s included in a shell loft conversion?
Giving you a space to make your own yourselves or with your chosen tradespeople, a shell loft conversion provides you with a finished and watertight structure with a new staircase. In its entirety, it includes:
- A site survey
- Architectural drawings including structural engineering estimates
- Suspended structural floor
- Scaffolding
- Steal beams fitted per building requirements
- Installation of Velux windows
- Suspended structural floor
- Tiling of new dormer(s) with finished flat roof
- Installation of doors
- Construction and fitting of staircase
- Removal of site debris
Shell loft conversions are perfect if you have a limited budget, would like to be more hands on in your construction, or if you know people with a trade or can do it yourself. Of course, no one wants to live in a situation where it’s a case of “We will get round to that one day” and the loft part of your house is literally a shell, for years. With this in mind, it’s worth really considering what you can do when and how you can plan it in.
If you would like to talk through your different options for loft conversions, please get in touch.
