Basement Loft Garage Conversions
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Do we need planning permission?
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A basement, loft, or garage conversion doesn’t usually require planning permission but there are certain circumstances when it is required. A loft conversion can usually be done under permitted development rights without planning permission, although a house in a conservation area or a listed building may require planning permission. A basement, loft, or garage conversion in a listed building would require listed building consent.

How much of a deposit do I need to pay?
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No deposit is required before the work starts. We will set out a payment plan which starts when the work starts and then payments are spread over the period of the work until completion. After completion we send you the final invoice and you hold back 5% of the original total for a month so you can check everything is working correctly.

Do I need to get the work checked by a building inspector?
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All our conversions are checked and signed-off by a building inspector, we will take care of registering the job, organising the visits and getting the work signed off.

Are you insured to carry out the work?
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Yes, we are covered by the relevant public liability insurance policies and will provide you with copies of these documents.

Does the work come with a guarantee?
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Our work is covered by a 10 year workmanship guarantee.

Will the conversion create much mess?
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There can be some dust in the air created by the work. Before any work is started all the affected areas will be covered with sheets, doors will be sealed, and floors will be protected. We will inform you if there are items that need to be removed so they don’t get damaged. If the ceilings in the 1st floor bedrooms are lowered to create the desired head room in the loft, the bedrooms will need to be vacant while that part of the work is carried out.

Can I have a loft conversion?
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Yes. There may be aspects of your existing loft that make it less straightforward such as reduced head height, trusses, chimneys, purlins, awkward staircase position, and conservation rules. We can deal with all of these.

My basement is dry, do I need a waterproofing system to convert it?
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For the basement to be considered a habitable part of the house yes. To meet the required standard a basement needs to provide a waterproofing system that can deal with water being present in the floors and walls regardless of the current conditions. All our basement conversions include a sump pump, draining channels, and cavity drainage membrane on the walls and floors to manage any water that may come into the basement.

We have a very wet basement, does this mean it's more likely to flood after the conversion?
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A correctly designed and installed waterproofing system can cope with large amounts of water ingress. We can discuss how this is achieved during a visit.

How long does a conversion take?
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This type of work can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months depending on the project.

Do I need a dormer in the loft conversion?
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A dormer will drastically increase the size of the loft and enable a larger area of the loft to be used. It will provide natural light and ventilation. It is sometimes the only option to enable a staircase up to the loft. It isn’t a requirement but is definitely worth considering.

Will I need to inform neighbours about the work?
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Some aspects of a conversion can require a party wall agreement. If the work involves a steel or timber beam supported on the party wall, or the party wall needs underpinning then yes. We will take care of obtaining a party wall agreement. Drilling holes in a party wall does not require a party wall agreement. At the start of the work we will let the neighbours know the work is due to start and reassure them and answer their questions.

Get In Touch.

01613552996
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Or alternatively contact us on: info@robisonconversions.com

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