A Quick Overview of the Loft Conversion Process

1) Feasibility Study – Review of Needs and Options THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STAGE

This is a fact-gathering meeting between you (the client) and John Webster Architecture to determine project restrictions, budget, and start and end dates. Some customers can give us a brief and are extremely clear about what they want, while others are unsure. Don’t worry, this step will help you gain the clarity you need to continue forward. Most other businesses hurry their customers into the design process, so we spend a bit more time on research.

The first thing you’ll need to do is go through your needs and options.

We created this approach a few years ago because there is a significant problem in the construction sector when individuals start designing and building before they have completed all of their research and study.

People are attempting to run before mastering the walk.

Building a house on faulty foundations is the result of insufficient prior assessment of needs and possibilities. Because everything is built on top of the foundations, they are the most significant portion of the entire structure. After you’ve begun building on top of the foundations, it’s quite expensive to replace them. But if they’re just lines on a map, they’re incredibly easy to update!

We generate a report at the conclusion of this step that clearly outlines your objectives (Needs) and determines your possibilities. (In certain circumstances, you may have a number of possibilities)

This is stage 0 and 1 of the RIBA plan of works.

This procedure is meant to eliminate assumptions and lower your risk.

*When we provide a set charge for minor work and there is no need for an initial site visit, no Need & Options Review is required.

2) Submission of a Design & Planning Application
The feasibility study’s findings are used to guide the design and planning phases.

The clarity provided by the feasibility stage will aid in the development of a design that you love and, more importantly, fits within your budget!

We’ll create the first design and continue to improve it with your input (the customer) until you’re completely satisfied. (It is, after all, your home)

All of our projects are rendered in 3D, lowering your risk by allowing you to see what you’ll receive before you commit to developing it.

There will be no more pointless line drawings that are difficult to comprehend!

The designs are then refined to the point where they may be submitted as part of a Planning application*.

Additional information, such as drainage arrangements, may be requested by the planning officer to support the planning application.

You must pay a planning fee to the local authority (currently £202).

Once the Planning Submission has been submitted, it will be vetted by the local authority’s planning department, and a decision on whether or not planning permission will be given will usually take roughly 8 weeks.

(If the first planning application is denied, a revised design that is more likely to be approved can be submitted, or the decision can be appealed.)

Following the approval of planning, the next step is to apply for a Building Warrant.

This is stage 2 and 3 of the RIBA plan of works.

*Depending on the nature of the project, loft conversions may or may not require planning permission.

3) Construction Permit
Building Regulations must be followed for each house addition project carried out in Scotland.

“Scottish Ministers are in charge of developing Building Regulations and technical guidance to ensure that buildings are safe, efficient, and long-lasting for everyone….” This provides useful information to anyone who wants to do construction work and where they may get help.”
Your design drawings will be further developed into technical drawings that demonstrate compliance with these building rules, ensuring that your House Extension project meets the needed requirements.

A building warrant application is submitted to the local authority’s building standards department after the designs are ready. The money for a Building Warrant is paid directly to the local authority’s Building Standards department (Building Warrant fee is related to the cost of the works)

The documentation will be supplied together with the Construction Notification Plan after the Building Warrant has been approved. You are now legally permitted to commence building.

This is the fourth stage of the RIBA plan of works.

4) The Pre-Construction Phase
What is the definition of pre-construction? What exactly does it entail?

This is the stage in the building process when we compile all of the documentation that will help you receive the greatest deal. We create a ‘List of Works’ document that lists all of the project’s components, from light switches to doors. A tender pack (which has all of the papers that will allow a contractor to provide the most accurate pricing) is created and sent out to three separate contractors.

We will assist you in selecting an appropriate contractor for your project after the tenders (prices) are received.

This is also the fourth stage of the RIBA plan of works.

5) The Building Stage
A construction contract will be established between you (the customer) and the Builder once the contractor has been chosen. Learn how to locate a good builder in our post How to Find a Good Builder.

We then take on the role of Contract Administrator, which entails visiting the site on a regular basis (usually once a week), and doing tasks such as (but not limited to):

This is what we specialise in!

Meeting agendas on the job
Interim certifications are issued
Contract Administrators Variations host a weekly project meeting to discuss construction progress.

Confirm that the contractor is following the design and specifications for the project. You’ll want us to verify that the building contractor is following our construction papers when constructing your project.
Available to promptly handle any unexpected or unanticipated situations, ensuring that the site keeps moving forward and delays are kept to a minimum.
Examine your contractor payments to get additional clout or control throughout the building phase. This leverage (Power) allows us to safeguard your interests and ensures that you only pay for the job that is really done at any given moment.
Assist with snagging list preparation and ensure that the Completion Certificate is provided.
We are legally liable for their health, safety, and well-being, and must ensure that all HSE (2015 CDM) rules are followed.
For the various reasons listed above, it is our policy as specialists to be involved in the building of every project.
This is the fifth stage of the RIBA plan of works.

6) After the Construction (Snagging)
We’ll help you build a snagging list of issues that need to be addressed, and the contractor will have a certain amount of time to fix them. The contractor will be paid the retention (last payment) once this is accomplished. We also work with building inspectors to get your all-important completion certificate.

This is the sixth stage of the RIBA plan of works.

After this stage is finished, you may relax and enjoy your new loft conversion.