DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I'm looking at a property to buy, it'll be my first home. I have a family, so we're prioritizing a house with at least 3 rooms + a spare room for an office, as I have my own business and require the space.

However, the house we're looking at has a 'boarded' loft, and decorated. I'm unsure as to whether it has been strengthened at all. I'd provide a picture, but nothing depicts any floor strengthening.

My query is whether it's worth going for, as the access + boarding has been complete, if only the strengthening is to be done, is it cost effective to take this route?

What exactly would be required when you're talking 2-4 hours per day containing 2 pretty lightweight desks with 2 computers, chair + me.

that will be okay, some attics have water tanks containing 50 gallons of water,now thats a lot of weight

Sorry but you cannot just put desks in a loft and work. This is then called living space and needs building regulation approval. There are hideous fire risks as well as access risks involved here as getting out of a loft in a hurry is not good.

A stair must be provided which takes you safely to outside air without passing through another room. Sorry but thats the law. Please see our project page on loft conversions

You're looking at current usagae, what about the future, will your children be using it? It's not just about weight, how would you or anybody get out in an emergency, that's why loft conversions need to be approved by building control

iwhat, about future use will your children be using it a loft conversion has to be approved by the 'lbco' . It's not just about weight, how will anybody get out in an emergency will you take full responsibility for major accidents like a fire