Eaves Loft Conversion in Brighton, East Sussex

At Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions, we pride ourselves on being a full customer orientated service. It is very rare that customers have issues with their loft conversion but in the rare case that you do, our team of friendly contractors will come over and fix the problem.

Yes, we do. We have employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance of £10,000,000 and £1,000,000 respectively. We also offer a free one-year maintenance guarantee apart from our 10-year structural guarantee.

Yes, it is. Localities and properties of conservation areas have special character histories and features. It adds to the charm of the area but makes it difficult to do things like a loft conversion. You have to get planning permission from the Brighton planning authority, which could be subject to specific planning conditions.

Once approval is granted, the conversion can then start.

No. as long as you conform to the regulations set out, you will not need loft conversion planning permission. Your loft renovation will be considered a permitted development. If you are not sure as to whether you need planning permission or not, we will help you confirm if your project does need it.

Even though the space you may gain from eaves loft conversion is limited when compared to other types of loft conversions, it is still a great way to gain some extra space which can be used as a bedroom or bathroom, home office, hobby space, dressing room or for storage. Also, if you are working on a tight budget and cannot afford the cost of other forms of loft conversions like Dormer or Hip to Gable, eaves loft conversions can provide you with a functional space without you having to spend as much money, time or resources as you would have on other forms of loft conversions. It is also a lot less expensive and disruptive compared to other forms of loft conversions.

As a leading loft conversion company in Brighton, we have diverse collections of eaves loft conversions that we have done for different homes and we are more than happy to show you our portfolio of completed work in any style of loft conversion you are interested in. There is a good possibility that we have designed and built some of the lofts you have seen around Brighton. Contact us and we will give you our case studies containing descriptions and images of our previous work in order to understand what your completed work will look like.

Access to the loft where the work is done happens via scaffolding that is erected outside the property and this limits the number of times builders have to come inside your home while the project is underway. Alternatively, access can be gained through a small hole at the front door slope. This acts as the main route until the installation of the staircase is complete after which the staircase becomes the major route.

Yes, you should. If you are going to sell your house in the future, the vendor’s solicitor will require a building completion certificate. The certificate ensures that the loft is built to building regulation standards and without it, the value of your property will depreciate. To get this certificate in Brighton, your local authority or a national improved building inspection company can supply one. At Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions, we will help guide you through this process and help expedite it.

Even though with the right loft conversion specialist the process is seamless, there are a few issues which may arise along the way. The first problem is the inconvenience caused during construction such as noise, discomfort and other inconveniences which will last until the completion of the project.

Also, there is the time and money spent on building regulations, planning permissions and potential surveys required for your loft conversion. Another issue is the lack of headspace and the landing below the loft. Most Brighton homes don’t have enough space for a staircase. You have to think of where the entrance will be depending on the layout of your home.

The price of eaves loft conversion is determined by several factors such as the installation of a new staircase, inclusion of framing carpentry, the existing quality of your loft and the level of finish you will require. The average cost of loft conversion varies from £9,000 to £15,000 depending on your conversion needs. To be certain of how much exactly it will cost, request a quotation from us at Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions. We will provide you with a quote completely free of charge.

First of all, ask your neighbours, friends or colleagues for recommendations. Ensure that the loft conversion firms they listed have the right credentials and certifications. Also, be sure they meet industry specifications for loft conversion companies.

Once that is done, check out the company online and read their reviews and testimonials. Do they have a website that inspires trust? Where is their office located? Who answers the phone when you call their contact number? Who have they worked for in the past? These are ways to verify that the company is legitimate.

Finally, before you commit to them, ask to see other loft conversions they have done. A good conversion specialist will be happy to put you in touch with a client they’ve worked with in the past. Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions is an NIC EIC approved contractor. We are also members of the Federation of Master Builders and we have worked with a number of homes in Brighton and nearby cities with more than satisfactory results.

To get a quote, call our phone number or complete the enquiry form on our website and we’ll arrange for a surveyor to visit your property. It is absolutely free of charge.

Yes. You do not have to move out of your property when converting your loft.

Yes, it can. When properly converted, it is very much likely that eaves loft conversions could increase the property value by 10 to 15%. You will not only gain some funds in equity but will get your additional outlay back when you do decide to sell your property.

Even though eaves loft conversion is less complicated and expensive than other forms of loft conversion, it is not advisable nor safe to carry out the project by yourself. It is still a delicate process that sometimes involves building regulation sign-off and the local planning department. Apart from the amount of work, there is the inherent danger of injuring yourself or even extensively damaging your home. This is the reason why most Brighton residents contract their loft conversion to a specialist company like Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions.

When you book an appointment for a free site survey to determine the suitability of your loft for a conversion, we come over and assess your home. Working with the details you have given us and in line with your loft conversion needs, we send you a quote and if you’re happy with it, we draw up a contract with a fixed price and timeline for the loft conversion.

The next stage is the design process where our RIBA certified architect creates a customised design drawing for your new loft conversion. We advise you on how to get the building regulation, planning permits and party wall agreements.

Once all of that is settled, we begin construction. It takes about 2 to 3 months during which our contractors will be on site 5 to 6 days a week. We assign a dedicated project manager who keeps you in the loop and makes regular visits to inspect the work and ensure it is going as planned.

A building control officer will also make regular visits to your property and upon the final visit, you will be awarded a certificate.

You can easily find out if your eaves loft is convertible. To do this, get a tape measure and open your latch hat if you can. Then measure the total height from the top of your existing ceiling joist, (which are the timbers you are standing on), to the underside of the right beam (which is the highest piece of timber at the top of your roof apex). If this measurement is 2.2 metres or more there is a good chance that your eaves can be converted.

Alternatively, you can also test if you can convert your eaves by standing upright in your loft at the highest point. If you can lift your arm straight up in the air without touching the ridge beams at the top of your roof, there is a good chance your eaves loft can be converted. The best method to eliminate doubt is to call one of our expert supervisors to come by and give you an unequivocal verdict on whether your eaves loft can be converted or not.

With Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions, you do not need to hire external architects and professionals to execute your eaves loft conversion for your Brighton home. We offer a “design and build” service so as to avoid the risks and hassles of you going out of your way to find architects who may even be subpar. Our professional architects are at your disposal and they will help design and bring to life whatever plans you may have. Our architects only specialise in loft conversions. This eliminates errors and structural issues that may only become apparent once the work has started.

Eaves conversion is the simplest form of loft conversion and requires less construction work and time than Dormer or Mansard. It will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks from start to completion.

Using a loft conversion specialist is better than working with a general builder or worse still, doing it yourself. Working with a professional loft conversion firm like Clifton Hill & Montpelier Loft Conversions Brighton eliminates the risks and mistakes associated with conversions and installations ensuring you get your money’s worth. This is because we have over 20 years of experience in eaves loft and other forms of loft conversions. The in-depth knowledge, planning and design you will enjoy with us cannot be compared to what is obtainable with a general builder.

Yes. Your home has to comply with the latest building regulations as it pertains to fire safety. All the doors around the staircase will require an upgrade to FD30 doors. This ensures that should a fire break out in your eaves conversion or any other room, your hallway, stairs and landing will withstand 30 minutes worth of heat and fire as a protected corridor, enabling you to evacuate from any of the rooms within the property.

If there are no gaps, cracks or the doors are over 37mm thick, some building control inspectors may consider your existing doors to be adequate. Also, if your doors can withstand 20 minutes worth of fire then installing additional smoke detectors in every habitable room and a heat detector in the kitchen will comply with building regulations. These detectors have to be wired to the mains, battery backup and interlinked so that if one is triggered, they will alert you on all floors.