Lofty Ideas! No.7

Loft Conversions Success Story 5 - Darren Isley

Fire Escape This success story is slightly different. Darren Isley of Sidcup, Kent contacted us to tell us about the loft conversion and extension he and his family had undertaken. This is extremely interesting for anyone considering converting their loft or indeed undertaking any building work as the Isleys provide a great first hand insight into the project of contemplating and then completing a loft conversion.

The Isleys had a 6ft double story side extension 10ft single story rear loft extension. This included internal alterations such as moving the stairs (a fairly major upheaval). It was formerly a 2 up 2 down 1930’s semi, the property now includes 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 of which are ensuite wet rooms), 2 reception rooms, a study a kitchen utility room and down stairs toilet, a larger family bathroom, 2 double bedrooms, 1 with a walk through wardrobe. So it is fair to say that the project was a fairly major one!

Darren and his family are rightly proud of the work they have had done to their home and highlight that this also included: Kitchen

New electrics throughout
New central heating system including boiler and new radiators
New Coax aerial system including HD cables to each room
Underfloor electric heating in the kitchen, kitchen dinner, reception room and family bathroom

Electric underfloor heating is now available from the Loft Shop, and proving a real hit for anyone considering a loft conversion.

‘All in all we bought 5 roof windows from the Loft Shop. The 2 large kitchen roof windows let in a vast amount of light, which compliments the large open space kitchen and diner. In the loft we have used a roof window at the top of the stairs to let much needed light into a dark space. We have had an additional roof window in the loft to be used as a fire escape but also it lets light into a dark space. In the Loft en suite bathroom we used the roof window above a toilet as additional headroom was needed whilst standing over it!’ Typically a horizontal window will let in 3 times the amount of light a vertical window does, this means that the amount of light a roof window will let in is unbelievable.

‘The external walls started being built in January 06’, this was complete by end of February, we moved out in March and moved back in the weekend 9th September and still have some work to do.

Front from the road

The builders were MD carpentry and Building services from Sidcup who were brilliant and hard working’.

The Isleys purchased the property and before the work was completed it was valued at 210K. The overall build cost was 113K, but this included many high quality appliances such as an American Fridge, white quartz worktops in the kitchen, electric underfloor heating, white goods from Villeroy and Boch, taps and shower systems by Samuel Heath Zeon range. Loft

‘The property has been valued for re mortgage purposes by the lender at £360K as it stands, but once the final work has been completed it will be as much as £380K. So a good profit has been achieved on the project as well as gaining a very high quality spec for the kitchen and bathroom. Sarah Beany fill your boots!’.

If you are seeking to have loft work done you can always visit the Loft Shop Partners area of the website and make an enquiry to the many builders and Loft Converters we have listed there.

Our thanks go out to Darren Isley of Sidcup, Kent for taking part.