ARCHITECT FOR CHANGING THE LAYOUT OF HOMES IN EDINBURGH
Whether it's a house in Corstorphine or a flat in Marchmont, as an architect, I can help you change the layout of your home. Projects like this were the first ones I took one when I began Capital A back in 2009. I still work on internal alteration projects every year, although the budgets have grown and many of my current alteration projects are in listed buildings. This type of work can include converting buildings from one use to another (office or shop into a flat, for example) or increasing the size of your home by converting the existing garage or attic into habitable space. If I have learned anything over the past 15 years of doing this work, it is that our homes are amazingly adaptable.
This type of work cant be priced per square meter, it must be itemised and each element costed individually. I set out the process for doing this in the Tendering stage of my professional services. Wen changing the layout of a home, it is vital to have a contingency. I advise my clients to have at least 15% extra set aside in case the contractor finds unexpected items that need to be fixed. So if the construction construction contact is £100k you should have another £15,000 as a contingency fund.
For reference, the going rate to take down a load bearing wall, about 4m long, between two room and then carry out all the necessary remedial work to make the floor and ceiling good again would be in the region of £20k + VAT in Edinburgh in 2024.
Whether a wall is load bearing or not, demolishing a wall between two rooms always comes with costs. For reference, the going rate to take down a load bearing wall, about 4m long, between two room and then carry out all the necessary remedial work to make the floor and ceiling good again would be in the region of £20k + VAT in Edinburgh in 2024. Half that cost is the remedial work to put the building back together after the wall is removed.
Almost always yes. Regardless of whether a wall is load bearing or not, the council building standards department will require a building warrant application and they will only accept a chartered structural engineers letter confirming a walls structural status. If a wall is load bearing, or the job involves creating new walls or openings in the roof or the exterior of the building, then a structural engineer will prepare drawings and an SER certificate for those element.
I have worked with several structural engineering firms in Edinburgh. Some firms do not take on work inside flats, as they face difficulty getting insurance for such work. I can advise you and arrange the structural engineers for your project.
There are several challenges to make an attic conversion function. Aside from the cost (budget £40 + VAT at a minimum and that does not include a dormer) the amount of space in a typical Edinburgh suburban attic is often only suitable for one habitable room. The amount of headroom required by the buildings regulations, the insulation, structural upgrading to the attic floor and the space occupied by the new stair will be significant.
If after converting the attic, the new top floor is more than 4.5m above external ground, the house either must have fire doors from every room off the stairs throughout the house OR sprinklers must be installed in every room in the house. Existing and new.
These are the same thing but the Planning Department uses the term Change of Use and the Building Standards Department uses the term Conversion. If you own a property that is not a home (house or flat) and you want it to become a home, it will need approval from both the planners and also the building standards department. I provide services for planning applications and also for building warrant applications. These two departments will look for different things but it can be complex and sometimes expensive, so contact me first for a chat.
I know some of the best building contractors across Edinburgh and the Lothains. My network of contracts in the industry is extensive. If your project requires a special material, a unique skill or a bespoke item made to measure, the chances are I know someone who can help. I know many of the best people across Edinburgh and can bring them together to change the layout of your home.
