Adding a storey or converting the loft
Building upwards is the most demanding domestic project structurally: existing walls and foundations must carry loads they were never designed for. Our assessment identifies the constraints early.
What the assessment covers
- • Existing wall construction and its likely capacity for additional storeys
- • Foundation type and depth, and whether underpinning may be implied
- • New floor structure, steelwork and how loads travel to the ground
- • Roof form, head height, and the fire and escape implications of a new storey
What you send us
- • Photos of every external elevation and the loft interior
- • Existing plans and sections if available
- • Footprint dimensions and current number of storeys
- • Property age, construction type and any previous extensions
What you receive
- • Indicative risk level and confidence rating
- • Budget range for the structural package
- • Watch points: foundations, wall capacity, party walls, escape routes
- • The consultants, surveys and approvals your project will realistically need
Avertissement légal
Ce document est informatif. Il ne constitue ni une note de calcul, ni un diagnostic réglementaire, ni une validation d'exécution de travaux. Aucun avis produit par la plateforme ne constitue une note de calcul, un diagnostic réglementaire ou une validation d'exécution de travaux. Aucune décision de travaux ne doit être prise sans validation par un professionnel qualifié (architecte, bureau d'études structure, ingénieur).
Frequently asked questions
Will the foundations take it?
That is the central question and it cannot be answered from photos alone. Trial pits and a chartered structural engineer's assessment are normally required; the report tells you how likely the issue is for your property type.
Is a loft conversion easier?
Usually, because the new floor spans onto existing walls rather than adding a full storey — but the existing ceiling joists are almost never adequate as a floor, so new steels and floor joists are standard.