Converting an Attic or a Garage? Sums and Pitfalls?

[Lionel Ritchie]

Anyone done either of these lately or anyone do this sort of thing for a living? Just looking for rough sums, potential pitfalls or things to watch out for?
Looking at the possibility of converting a standard semi-detached house' garage into a playroom and maybe adding a floor above it.

"When I had my loft
converted back into a loft
the neighbours turned their heads and scoffed
and called me retro"
Half Man Half Biscuit

[superfrank]

My attic was done up in '96. A few months ago we found out the insulation has rotted away.

The problem.....my grandparents put plastic over the insulation, after the builders left, for no good reason and now it's going to cost my ma a lot of money to get it fixed.

Of course, my grandparents didn't even flinch when my ma told them what the problem was. They don't seem to recall putting plastic up. :rolleyes:

[noby]

"When I had my loft
converted back into a loft
the neighbours turned their heads and scoffed
and called me retro"
Half Man Half Biscuit

Ha!! When I saw the thread title, and the poster, this immediately popped into my head.

Converting the garage should be straightforward enough. My brother did it last year. Knock a door through from the hall. Replace the garage door with a window. Slab the walls and put down flooring. Don't ask my about costs though. Everybody seems to be doing it these days though.

[monutdfc]

Attic:
Make sure it is done properly with an RSJ put in and the joists replaced (as ceiling joists won't bear the weight of a floor). I heard of a woman in Tallaght who got her attic converted by a cowboy and now her ceiling is falling in and her roof is sagging.
Watch for head clearance when you come up the stairs.
Whilst it is unlikely to meet fire regs unless you have a big floor space to work with make sure it isn't a fire hazard, esp. if your kids are going to be there.

Garage should be a lot easier, but watch the insulation otherwise you'll have a problem with damp.

[Lim till i die]

Don't cut corners

We did my attic neglecting to insulate it

Result: 50 celcius in Summer, -20 celcius in winter. Don't get me wrong it's grand but takes a bit of getting used to :p

[noby]

Not being picky, but not insulating is a little more than corner cutting in my book.

[osarusan]

-20 celcius in winter.

Close the deep freeze LTID. You'll notice a sudden change.

[Lim till i die]

Not being picky, but not insulating is a little more than corner cutting in my book.

Het, I don't claim to be a master craftsman :p


Close the deep freeze LTID. You'll notice a sudden change.

Exagerating to make a point ;)