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Loft Conversion 101: What to expect from the Building Inspector visit

As part of the loft conversion process, you’ll need to adhere to Building Regulations. As such, loft conversions London wide are visited by someone from the local authority building inspector team at certain points during the build.


What should you expect from the visit from the building inspector? Well, it’s not a daunting process at all and each inspection should be viewed as something to keep everyone in your household safe and sound.


Structural Inspection


By using a specialist loft conversion company, your plans will be drawn up a by a qualified structural engineer and architect before being submitted and approved by the planning department, should planning permission be required. The first inspection by the building inspector, therefore, is a structural inspection.


Before the floor is laid, the building inspector will usually want to check that all of the joists, steel beams, rafters, dormers, any roof work and any other work which affects the structure of the loft has been carried out to a good standard and is safe to inhabit.


Insulation Inspection


The building inspector will also want to check that the insulation being installed is sufficient and complies with current regulations. The inspector will check not only the rockwool / fibreglass between the joists, but also the roof insulations, such as multi-foil roof insulation, sheet insulation between rafters and even sound insulation between internal walls.


Other Points to Consider


The building inspector will also carry out a final inspection before the project is signed off. For loft conversions, points to consider include:


The staircase layout and whether you require any additional means of escape and fire provisions.

• Ensuring that you have enough headroom, taking into account the depth of floor joists.

• The structural work required should you need to lower the ceiling of the floor below.

• Whether planning permission is required, as this will require a separate application with your local planning office.


Although these considerations for loft conversions can sound quite daunting, if you have a specialised loft conversion company carrying out the work, they will take care of the majority of this for you.


If you’re ready to convert your loft and face the building inspector visit, get in contact with Bespoke Lofts. We can talk you through all aspects of the build before we begin work, from planning applications through to the last building inspector sign off!

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