South Coast Construction (Sussex) LTD

1. Making sure the walls and roof are sound.

2. Floor slab – the existing floor may need to be levelled, damp-proofed and insulated.

3. Infilling the door – Most garage conversions simply brick up the garage door.

4. Wall insulation.

5. Roof insulation.

6. Windows & doors.

7. Heating and electrics.

Some lofts are more suitable for conversion than others. Tricky loft conversions can be costly and disruptive so it is important to ensure the finished product is a useful space and/or adds the value you hoped to achieve. Factors that determine whether or not your loft can be converted include:

* Head height needs to be measured from the top of the floor joists in the loft, to the underside of the ridge beam. Although the building regulations permit head heights of 2.2m, a far more comfortable height once a new floor covering has been laid and the ceiling finish has been applied is 2.4m.

* Generally, the steeper your roof pitch, the easier the loft conversion will be, with most angles above 30 degrees working best. And the steeper the roof pitch, the more head height will be available (see above).

* There are two main types of roof structure: a cut roof, or trussed. A quick peek in your loft will reveal which you have, with the majority of houses built before the 1960s having cut roofs. Those built from the late 1960s onwards usually have trussed roofs.

A cut roof uses rafters, joists and purlins and leaves the majority of the triangular space below free. A trussed roof uses W-shaped trusses (or supports) that provide a braced support and run through the cross section of the loft — effectively blocking some of the void that you will need in order to create a usable space. Both are convertible but will require different approaches.

Work with a structural engineer and qualified builder to ensure that the opposing roof slopes in a trussed roof are fully supported and tied together at the base (usually done with new floor joists) as well as close to the apex with new collars. Sometimes, steel beams are placed between load bearing walls for the new floor joists to hang on and the rafter section to be supported on — along with a steel beam at the ridge. This new structure must be put in place before any of the old trusses are cut.

You might also find that the rafters may require strengthening — this is often undertaken by doubling them up with new ones fixed alongside, or by using sheets of oriented strand board to act as a windbrace.

* If your water tank is located in the loft you will need to find a new spot for it. Alternatively, you may wish to consider getting rid of the tank entirely, opting for a mains-fed combination boiler or pressurised unvented hot water cylinder instead. This can be located elsewhere in the house (such as in an airing cupboard).

If there is a chimney stack in your loft then you may wish to remove it to make more space. It is vital that you consult a structural engineer and employ the services of a good builder in this case. While this is undoubtedly a job that will add to costs and timescales, it won’t prevent you from converting your loft. If you adjoin a neighbour, check how this may affect their structure and complete any party wall requirements.

* Even if you have the required amount of headspace available in your loft, you may run into difficulties if you don’t have enough space for a staircase up to it. The building regulations require a minimum of 1.9m of headroom at the centre of the flight, and 1.8m at the edges (where there will be sloping roofs). You will also need to allow space for the staircase on the floor below.

There are many variations which will affect cost, timescale and the amount of work involved.

Consulting a good builder, loft specialist, architect or design and build company should be one of the first things you do in order to work out the costs and viability of the project.

• Temporary toilet and machinery will be delivered
• Builders will arrive on site.
• Preparation begins for the groundwork and foundations.
• Footings are excavated and debris removed from site
• Concrete is poured to create foundations.
• Superstructure starts, which includes building up a damp-proof course (DPC).
• Drains are installed.
• A concrete floor and insulation is put in place.
• The building of external walls begins, which includes block work or brickwork. Cavity wall insulation will be fitted. (150mm gap with 90mm Insulation)
• Wall tiles are then used to fix the new walls to those in the existing house.
• Internal walls are built at this stage.
• The roof structure and roof covering come next.
• A carpenter will build the roof structure.
• Roofing membrane will then be laid over the rafters before roof battens are fitted in place.
• Windows and doors will now be installed.
• First fix carpentry, plumbing and electrics begin.
• The extension should be watertight by now and the three trades work closely together at this stage to ensure each knows what the other is doing.
• Stud work might begin now.
• Break through from the existing house, and steels are put in place.


• This can be a very messy time, so if you’re living at the property or just don’t want everything getting covered in dust, it’s a good idea to seal everything off as much as possible.
• Plastering, followed by a period of about a week for drying out. Second fix electrics – meaning sockets – will be made live, switches put into place and lights will be fitted.
• Second fix plumbing where taps are installed and connections completed.
• Flooring will be fitted and kitchen units installed, if applicable.
• Snagging – which means any leaks, problems with electrics and anything that’s not quite right – should be reported to the builders as soon as possible after finishing.

We have been trading for nearly 34 years, firstly as sole traders and now as a Limited Company (LTD)

We guarantee all our work for between 5 and 25 years depending on work involved!

Making customers dreams come true. Its always rewarding when you see how happy someone is and you have created that for them.

Always worked for other people and frustrated at them taking the credit for my care and attention to detail. Now i get to give people there dream work at an affordable fair price.

Family run business.
Fair priced.
Great communication.
Outstanding work.