Dorma/ mansard loft conversion, any recommendations? Post Reply

[becs.3]

Hi,

My husband and I are looking into completing a loft conversion in Clapham South together with some first floor alterations. We have an architect (friend of ours) who is currently drawing some plans and have had some rough estimates regarding quotes. Still happy to do some shopping around whilst the plans are being firmed up. Does anyone have any recommendations or words of advice?

Thanks

Becs

[coldatchristmas]

All building work is a nightmare and I know that sounds pessimistic but it's true and it means you'll find a lot of people who had a nightmare and didn't like their builders. The problem with that is it means that new rubbish firms can pop up and get work precisely because they're not established and so haven't actually annoyed anyone yet!

I'd get three quotes and go for the usual suspects and ask to see a range of work, ideally with the owners present.

[becs.3]

Thanks.

Have you any experience with builders, recommend anyone you've used?

[happyclappy]

Hi Becs

One company I can warn you off of is BTL. They are currently involved in two cases of litigation with two sets of friends of mine in Battersea. They spend a lot on marketing and not enough on good builders.

Other friends have had good experiences with Roxburgh if that's any help?

[becs.3]

Hi Becs

One company I can warn you off of is BTL. They are currently involved in two cases of litigation with two sets of friends of mine in Battersea. They spend a lot on marketing and not enough on good builders.

Other friends have had good experiences with Roxburgh if that's any help?

Great, thanks for that!! Will give them a try...

[sw1234]

Give Andy at runprojects.co.uk a call. They have done lots of work locally and will be able to point you in the right directions of good builders and possibly ones to avoid. Contact details are on their website.

[Mum2Monkey]

We are currently using simply lofts. Haven't delivered on their new in place customer service promises but we are generally pleased and they are a lot a better than the last bunch of cowboys I had in.

Morespace came highly recommended to us and are meant to be reasonably priced. In my case, ended up with a high quote but I almost used them based on recommendations.

I was told to avoid south London lofts, but I know others on here have had positive experiences.

If you just need to builder and not an architect, I was given details by my neighbour of their builder. They highly rated him. If I can dig out his details, will pm you.

As the other poster says, all building work is horrendous. But a bit like childbirth, you soon forget just how bad and enjoy the end result!

[becs.3]

Ha ha yes that is what we're hoping (although childbirth is one experience he hasn't had)!! Thanks for the recommendations, so helpful.

[becs.3]

We are currently using simply lofts. Haven't delivered on their new in place customer service promises but we are generally pleased and they are a lot a better than the last bunch of cowboys I had in.

Morespace came highly recommended to us and are meant to be reasonably priced. In my case, ended up with a high quote but I almost used them based on recommendations.

I was told to avoid south London lofts, but I know others on here have had positive experiences.

If you just need to builder and not an architect, I was given details by my neighbour of their builder. They highly rated him. If I can dig out his details, will pm you.

As the other poster says, all building work is horrendous. But a bit like childbirth, you soon forget just how bad and enjoy the end result!

Would be great for PM if you find them! Thanks for all.

[Clara Bee]

Hi,

My husband and I are looking into completing a loft conversion in Clapham South together with some first floor alterations. We have an architect (friend of ours) who is currently drawing some plans and have had some rough estimates regarding quotes. Still happy to do some shopping around whilst the plans are being firmed up. Does anyone have any recommendations or words of advice?

Thanks

Becs

Hi Becs,

Our advice would be to get structural engineering input before you get any quotes as builders will not be able to price accurately without this.

Trevor Burrage
Clara Bee Ltd.
Project Management and Interior Design Services

[Anna_Benett]

Hi there!

We were using Werner and Werner Ltd. Believe me they have done so many loft that it's difficult to question their experience. But as some people mentioned before it's good to have all structural drawings and plans before searching for a builder. In our case we had all the docs ready and then passed them for builders: they came for a viewing once but most of the quote was based on the architects drawings. So if you want to finish your project in the same amount of money as in quote - builders should have as much details as possible.
Regarding Werner and Werner recommendation - building works are always difficult to survive - we were living at the house at this time. But the most important is the quality and the timing. After a year of completion I can not complain. Check their website:
www.wernerandwerner.co.uk
Hope this helps!

[DavidDecorator]

Why not try Alan Beirne the builder. He has over 40 years of experience doing loft conversions, gives great advice and can work well with just about any architect/ engineer as well as clients. He can provide references going back about as far as that as well for just about every domestic building project under the sun apart from basement excavations.
You can ring him on 07904 376665. He taught me everything I know. Limitless knowledge and he's a time served electrician as well.