News - Complete loft conversions Suffolk Ipswich

DIY nightmares: Loft conversions highlighted as the worst offenders

February 21, 2024 Greg Nelson

Many homeowners like to try their hand at DIY from time to time, but some clients can overreach their skillset when attempting renovations like loft conversions . From our first hand experience we have seen some nightmare loft conversions gone wrong that we have had to correct.

If not done properly however, Do It Yourself can cause lasting and expensive damage to a property, leaving the owner wishing they’d called in a professional company to do the job instead, and paying out even more to get it fixed Complete loft conversions guarantee none of the following will happen on your build.

1. Loft conversion

Can costs up to £35,000 to fix, attempted by 5% of homeowners

Greg Nelson form CLC said : “No work should be done on a loft conversion without confirming that safety regulations are in place and that the room will be legal, as this can waste a huge amount of time and money and result in you having to have the whole thing redone. You may also cause more damage than good, especially if you damage the roof or put a foot through the rafters.”

Assess the Situation: Take stock of the problems you’re facing. Is it related to structural integrity, electrical wiring, plumbing, or something else? Understanding the scope of the issues is the first step in finding solutions.

2. Knocking down a wall/part of a wall

Costs up to £25,000 to fix, attempted by 10% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said : “If you knock down a wall and don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you run the risk of your property suffering from subsidence. If you try to knock through a supporting wall, you also run the risk of your house collapsing, and losing everything. You should never knock a wall through without having it examined first to ensure there will be no other damage to the rest of the property.”

Consult with Professionals: Depending on the nature of the problems, you may need to consult with different professionals such as structural engineers, architects, builders, plumbers, and electricians. They can help diagnose the issues and propose solutions.

3. Replacing a kitchen

Costs up to £15,000 to fix, attempted by 8% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said :“Installing a new kitchen can cost around £5,000 depending on the size and materials used. If you take this into your own hands and damage the worktops, cabinets, and walls while doing so, you may need to replace these. Aside from added costs for materials, you’ll also need to factor in the labour costs, which could as much as double the price of your new kitchen.”

Review Building Regulations and Planning Permission: Ensure that your loft conversion complies with building regulations and planning permission requirements. If the problems stem from non-compliance, you may need to make modifications to bring the conversion up to standard.

4. Replacing a bathroom

Costs up to £10,000 to fix, attempted by 7% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said : “This can cost you anywhere between £3,000-£10,000 depending on the damage that you do. If you have to replace the materials that you bought for the job or cause damage to the plumbing and electrics in the bathroom, this will drive the cost up.”

Jonathan Larkin, 26 from Norwich, said: “We tried fitting a new bathroom a year or so ago, and thought we’d done a good job. That was until we realised that the sealant we had borrowed from my dad had been out of date and we had leaks all over the bathroom wherever we used it.”

5. Installing cabinets

Costs up to £4,000 to fix, attempted by 18% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said : “You may cause damage to both the cabinet and the wall that you’re attaching it to, meaning you will need to replace the cabinet, fix the wall, and then pay labour costs for this to be refitted. Depending on the amount of cabinets, materials used and size of them, this can cost you around £4,000.”

6. Laying floors

Costs up to £3,500 to fix, attempted by 18% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said :“This will depend on the size of the room and the material that you’ve chosen for the flooring. If you lay incorrectly you can damage the material, meaning you must pay to replace it. To do this for the whole floor, this can cost you anything from £1,500-£3,500.”

Prioritize Safety: If there are safety concerns such as structural instability or electrical hazards, address them immediately. Safety should always be the top priority.

7. Installing a light fixture

Costs up to £3,000 to fix, attempted by 28% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said : “Replacing bad electrics could just be the cost of replacing the fitting, but it could also involve having to fix the wiring completely. Electrical work can also be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing and is a health risk. If this goes dramatically wrong, rewiring a 2-bed house can cost around £3,000 and 5-8 days”

Take Preventive Measures: Once the issues are resolved, take preventive measures to avoid similar problems in the future. This may involve regular maintenance, periodic inspections, and hiring reputable professionals for any future renovations or construction projects.

8. Running power into an adjacent structure

Costs up to £3,000 to fix, attempted by 11% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said “If you cause damage to the wiring in your house doing this, you could need the whole house rewired, which can cost around £3,000. It is also very dangerous if not done correctly and could result in a fire or explosion.”

Document the Issues: Keep thorough documentation of the problems you’re facing, including photographs, written descriptions, and any correspondence with contractors or authorities. This documentation may be valuable if you need to seek legal recourse or insurance claims.

9. Replacing a fuse box

Costs up to £3,000 to fix, attempted by 10% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said:“This is extremely dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. You could cause damage to the wiring in your house, which can cost over £3000 to fix, along with the risk of fire or explosion. Any work with electricity should only be carried out by a professional.”

Obtain Multiple Quotes: If you need to hire professionals to fix the issues, obtain multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting a fair price. Be wary of significantly low quotes, as they may indicate subpar workmanship or the use of inferior materials.

10. Installing a shower

Costs up to £3,000 to fix, attempted by 8% of homeowners

Greg Nelson from CLC said“You may cause damage to the water pipe, the shower itself and the tiling in the bathroom, which can cost you up to £3,000 to fully repair and replace. If your shower is electric, it can also be very dangerous.”

Consider Legal Options: If the issues are the result of negligence or malpractice by contractors or builders, you may have legal recourse to seek compensation for damages. Consult with a legal expert specializing in construction law to explore your options.

Remember that addressing a loft conversion nightmare can be stressful and time-consuming, but with careful planning and the right professional assistance, you can mitigate the issues and turn your nightmare into a success story.

If you wish for a no obligation quote to get your loft conversion done right first time Complete Loft Conversions are your first port of call for loft conversions timber framed extensions and garage conversions in the Ipswich Suffolk area

Transforming a Suffolk Home: A Stunning Flat Dormer Conversion in Ipswich by Complete Loft Conversions

October 16, 2023 Greg Nelson

Transforming a Suffolk Home: A Stunning Flat Dormer Conversion in Ipswich by Complete Loft Conversions

Introduction:

Suffolk’s picturesque landscapes and historic architecture make it a charming place to call home. However, many homeowners in the region face the common challenge of needing more space while keeping budget on track In this blog post, we’ll explore a remarkable flat dormer conversion project carried out by Complete Loft Conversions in Ipswich, Suffolk. This transformation not only added valuable living space but also maintained the character of the home, serving as an inspiration for homeowners seeking a similar solution.

The Challenge:

The homeowners in Ipswich, Suffolk, had a beautiful council built home with potential hidden within its roof space. They desired extra space but were reluctant to compromise the charm of their home. They reached out to Complete Loft Conversions, a renowned loft conversion specialist, to explore their options.

The Solution:

Complete Loft Conversions designed and executed a flat dormer conversion that perfectly blended modern living with traditional aesthetics. Here’s a breakdown of how they achieved this stunning transformation:

1. **Initial Consultation and Design:** The project began with an in-depth consultation to understand the homeowners’ requirements and assess the property’s suitability for a loft conversion. The design process was meticulous, considering the architectural nuances and local regulations in Ipswich, Suffolk.

2. **Preservation of Architectural Character:** One of the most important aspects of this project was preserving the property’s historical character. To achieve this, the design incorporated elements such as matching exterior materials and maintaining the original roofline as closely as possible. The dormer extension seamlessly blended with the existing structure.

3. **Spacious Living Area:** The flat dormer conversion created a spacious living area with an abundance of natural light. Large windows and carefully positioned skylights were installed to ensure the room felt bright and inviting.

4. **High-Quality Finishes:** The homeowners opted for high-quality finishes that complemented the traditional elements of the property. Wood flooring, elegant moldings, and period-style fixtures and fittings were used to maintain the home’s unique charm.

5. **Energy Efficiency:** To ensure the space was energy-efficient, Complete Loft Conversions used modern insulation techniques and energy-efficient windows. This not only reduced the home’s environmental impact but also lowered utility bills for the homeowners.

6. **Bespoke Features:** Custom-built storage solutions and furniture were added to maximize the utility of the space. This allowed the homeowners to make the most of the new room for their specific needs.

Conclusion:

The flat dormer conversion in Ipswich, Suffolk, carried out by Complete Loft Conversions, is a shining example of how to add modern living space to a historic home while maintaining its character. The result was a beautiful room that not only enhanced the homeowners’ quality of life but also added significant value to their property. This project is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the team at Complete Loft Conversions, showcasing their ability to blend contemporary design with historical preservation seamlessly. If you’re looking to expand your living space without compromising your home’s character, this project provides excellent inspiration and proof that it can be done with the right professionals.

Carpenters in Ipswich Suffolk

Ipswich Carpentry Contractors

September 16, 2022 Greg Nelson

ICC carry out large and small carpentry contracts in and around the Ipswich Suffolk area, we are established carpenters and we carry out a number of construction projects which range from Oak flooring to hand cut Oak roofs.

We have been in construction for over 30 years and have carried out many projects from decking on domestic works to contact carpentry hanging three hundred doors.

The following list is the works we undertake both commercial and domestic.

Oak flooring
Oak trusses and beams
Hand cut roofs
Loft conversions
Trussed roofs
Timber framing
Shop fitting
Suspend ceilings
Door fitting
Stairs fitting
Window fitting
UPVC fitting and installation
Steel beams installation

We also carry out a many other types of construction and can supply labour only carpenters on request.

Ipswich carpentry contractors was founded in 2011 by Gregory Nelson to help homeowners and commercial client’s find carpenters locally ICC have been working in partnership with some of the largest builders in Ipswich Suffolk but also find time to carry out smaller contracts and we diversify our client base so we carry out all types of construction work and supply carpenters in Ipswich.

It’s this unique approach dealing with both domestic and larger contracts saw us meet many new clients and gave us a variety of work not usually seen by standard carpentry contractor’s.

Our new website ensures clients get to see a lot of our work before we get to site and contact us for a no obligation quote, allowing clients to pick the right time to have the works carried out.

If you are looking for quality local carpenters then look no further than Ipswich Carpentry Contractors for all your domestic and commercial carpentry goodness.

If you are looking for carpenters and joiners who are fully qualified CSCS card holders who are punctual and reliable, visit carpenters-in-ipswich.co.uk for more information.

Renewable energy

Can Solar Panels power my whole house?

August 13, 2022 Greg Nelson

Here at Green Energy Ipswich we believe that Solar panels are a great option for customers who want save on energy costs and be less reliant on high energy prices the question still stands can solar power negate the option of pulling power from the grid?

The short answer is yes In theory, they can but in a real world scenario it will be extremely difficult for the average homeowner to install enough solar panels to power their entire home even if you have a large array. There is a but they can generate enough energy to power household appliances such as your dishwasher, TV and fridge-freezer if you have the correct installation and battery storage . Many customers want to see if they can go off grid to lower their energy bills and help the enviroment but that is not the whole solution it many be easier to adjust your energy needs alongside the installation of renewables.

In this post, we will dig down into how to power your home with solar power and make effiecncy savings and how solar panels can help you become more self-sufficient with renewable energy source.

“Off the grid” what does this mean?

You often hear the term ‘off-the-grid’ means not using public utility companies like water, electric and gas this is often use by people who live in isolated areas, but you can also benefit form going off grid as most clients want to reduce there dependence of fossil fuels and want to help the environment. Most solar panel installs are connected to the grid as of writing it’s uncommon to install off-grid solar systems.

Green power has many advantages for those who want to reduce their reliance on utility companies if you have your own green power system then you will also be reducing your carbon footprint, but how much power do yo need to generate from solar panels and can you be self sufficient once they are installed.

Solar panels how much energy can they produce?

Current solar panel technology won’t allow for you to run your whole house entirely of grid but doesn’t mean they aren’t a good idea for a client looking to reduce their energy bills.

The amount of electricity a solar panel produces depends on two main factors:

How much sunlight the panels are exposed to each day this is why Green Energy Ipswich have the most competent installers and technicians to suggest the correct angle and area to situate the panels to generate maximum efficiency from the sunlight.
The efficiency rating of the panel and its various components. This rating is usually between 15 and 20%; the more modern and more expensive the panel, the better the efficiency typically is. The more efficient the panel, the more energy it can generate from the same amount of sunlight.

Solar panels have an average output of anywhere between 250-400W the higher quality the panel the more electricity it will produce and the the higher the wattage, it will product more wattage under the same conditions. Client’s who get solar panels installed in the UK generally get a 3-4kW system this is generally made up of an array of 8-12 Solar panels. You can get as much as 2,450 and 3,000 KWH per year this of course depends on sunlight positioning and the quality of the panels and the peripherals.

How much power do I need ?

The amount of energy that a household uses depends on many things.

How many people live in the house
How much each person uses
How well the house is insulated
If the house is run on electricity or gas or both

Normally the majority of solar power is produced around midday the most power is often consumed often has a peak at the start of the day due to things like making breakfast, having showers and using hairdryers consumption then peaks again at night when the heating goes on oven and other appliances are used.

Average homes use somewhere around 2,900 kWh of electricity per year according to Ofgem, so would your new solar panel system cover the annual household electricity consumption

It used to be that your energy consumption would need to match your production form your panels but now with battery storage and the use of inverters to transfer the current to 240V you can sell any unused electricity when it is transferred back to the grid to be used elsewhere but be aware won’t be compensated for this unless you have a SEG tariff.

To give yourself a better understanding Green Energy Ipswich will be posting many more articles in our blog and news pages so you can get the most out of your solar PV system so you van have a better balance of directly used solar power and lower your imported electricity.

Solar power so how much does it take to run a home?

Solar may not be able to get you off the grid completely but combined with battery storage you can still make a huge dent in your grid consumption.Home appliances can be run on solar directly and using batteries so saving energy is still worth while.There are many devices in your home that could be powered by solar panels. According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy:

Below are average figures for energy consumption.

Kettles use 163 kWh/year
Toasters use 115 kWh/year
Hairdryers use 172 kWh/year
Computer Screen uses 330 kWh/year
Washing Machines use 255 kWh/year
LCD TV’s use 175 kWh/year
Dishwashers use 657 kWh/year

Depending on your solar panel system, you could charge batteries and use the power later or if you use more electricity than you generate you would have to buy from the grid.

Making the most of solar panels!

Installing green energy solution like solar panels will same you money after the initial investment they might not be able to power eveyrthing in your home but with the advancement of battery storage you can certain improve your impact on the environment.

Most households use a significant portion of their electricity in the evening because Solar panels do not work at night but with the use of a battery, electricity generated during the day can be saved for your nightly use and you could increase your grid independence by 50% depending on the system of batteries and solar panels you install.

Going of grid isn’t easy but you may be able to reduce you bills

Supplement your panels with a wind generator
Reducing your energy needs. Switching to less power-hungry appliances, getting rid of appliances you don’t need, and generally living a less tech-heavy lifestyle will mean you need less energy, to begin with.
Charging battery packs during the day and heating water during the day when your energy is generated by solar

If you want more information how Green energy Ipswich can power your home take a look at our new updated Green energy website.

Bungalow loft conversion

June 2, 2022 Greg Nelson

Haven’t posted for a while as been very busy with work but let’s have a run through what’s been going on at this conversion.

So let’s have a look at the conversion in stages below we can see the existing boards removed and electrics being moved to make way for the new joists.

Loft striped out and electrics being moved

Here we can see the new beams going in for the new ashlar walls to sit on.

New beams going in for ashlar walls

Below we can see the new joists attached to the ring beam and the new ashlar wall sitting on top and floor being laid over

New ashlar walls and joists

Here we can see the access hatch and insulation going in

Insulation and access hatch going in

Here we can see multifoil installed over cleotex with batten on top and new vellum

Multifoil over cleotex with batten on top

Here we can see en-suite walls being built and velux installed

ensuite walls being built and velux installed

Here we can see the rear dormer being built

Rear dormer being built

Here we can see the dormer under construction and being clad with hard plank

Dormer under construction

Here we can see the internal walls and electrics going in

Internal walls and electrics going in

Thats all for the moment but will update this post with everything finished thanks for reading.

Loft completed with sail cloth hardiplank

Complete loft conversions Flat roof dormer Loft conversion methods Loft conversions adding value to your home

Another huge 6m by 6m loft conversion nears completion

November 2, 2021 Greg Nelson

Haven’t posted for a while because been so busy with doing lofts this year so a quick post just to go though what’s been going on at CLC in 2021.

So we were commissioned to carry out a loft conversion at Defoe Rd this conversions was a big one with a flat dormer en-suite and some alterations to walls and making new openings downstairs.

The loft conversion also incorporated new cupboards in the sloping part of the roof and two large flying mullion windows and a pair of Keylite windows side by side.

So below we can see a few images of the loft at different stages of the build I will update these fully when the bathroom is complete next week.

We have all been carry out many garden rooms through our sister company CLS but will post on our other website and link back to this post.

Loft being fitted with multi foil and first fix electrics

Staris fitted with spindles and balustrades — Stairs fitted with spindles and balustrades

Loft plastered with side by side Keylite windows

We can see the loft on construction at various stages of the build the build took around 3 months as there were walls to move downstairs and openings to cut out but as we can see the end result is outstanding if you would like a quote for a conversion like this don’t hesitate to contact us

Tradesmen job Tradesmen's jobs

Nationaltradesmen.co.uk

January 18, 2021 Greg Nelson

Nationaltradesmen.co.uk is a new service which aims to join up tradesmen within the industry with contractors builders and large construction companies our online service also allows carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, CSCS card holders, CPCS card holders and everyone else in the construction industry to create a profile to be searched for by potential employers.

The site also allows tradesmen companies and all other users to create a free business listing in our construction listing pages

The site also provides regular construction news which is updated daily with current articles on the construction industry including innovation in construction and some of the latest products available to tradesmen and those working in construction.

Employers can also post construction jobs and search for tradesmen they can do this by filtering tradesmen by specific tradesmen categories and by specific skills related to that category, for instance carpentry has many different types of specialism like shoplifting carpenters or timber framing carpenters so employers can specify the exact skills they require for the job.

Our main aim at Nationaltradesmen.co.uk is to help tradesmen to find local work and help employers fill vacancies with our tradesmen jobs searching service which is among the best in the United Kingdom.

Tradesmen can use the site to post their CV site managers and quantity surveyors can register as there is a professionals section on the site as well as a Tradesman job which is our main user engagement area on the website which every user also has a candidate dashboard to organise and manage their job applications job alerts.

Employers and tradesmen can also message through the site at no cost and set up job alerts so when a job with their particular skills become available an email is sent to their registered email address so they can apply for a new job when they wish.

Tradesmen and employers can also use nationaltradesmen.co.uk forums to discuss their certain trade areas with other users with particular sections relevant to their trade including bricklayers areas, carpenters areas, scaffolders areas, roofers areas, decorators areas and many other sections for users to express their views.

Companies and contractors can also apply to have a free advertising on nationaltradesmen.co.uk as a special offer we are offering a free 300px by 300px advert on out website with one lucky company being able to advertise free for one whole month on our home page which is worth £320 a month please see our website for details of this offer which is running throughout 2021, please use the contact link at the end of this article.

Employers can post their first three jobs for nothing and after that the jobs packages start at just £5 per job which is extremely reasonable as we now have over 20,000 visitors per month through natural search and our social media presence if you wish to connect please use our social media links below.

Despite the growing concern over the economic out look during Covid, construction has carried on remaining a key driver behind jobs and other industries around construction have carried on so 2021 looks to be another good year for construction with high levels of employment and with tradesmen jobs in particular on the rise are a safe haven for those with the skills to carry on through what will be bumpy year for many other industries.

Nationaltradesmen.co.uk has enjoyed year on year growth with many tradesmen and employers signing up, and many advertisers also seeing benefits of advertising with us.

MBMS Ltd a growing shoplifting company and fit out specialist adversities on nationaltradesmen.co.uk and its enquires literally went through the roof with %1000 increase in work leads within the first three months of advertising with Marcus Bealby managing director commenting say that: “Since placing a small advert with nationaltrademen.co.uk we were inundated with calls which we did not expect as initially it was free for the first two weeks, we are still running it nearly a year later and we have never been so busy even with the pandemic at our door”.

With the rise of online learning and many finding work online, nationaltradesmen.co.uk has found a niche in finding local work for tradesmen and women in the construction industry without charging the worker to be registered on the site, we do this by an interesting mix of news and advertising through banners and company listings and charging a small amount for employers, contractors and builders to post jobs on the site if you just want to register as a worker or employer just use this link register here.

If you would like to talk to us about your construction service this could be a new product or innovation and want a paid blog post we can also do this our mailing list has also grown to over fifteen thousand and we have a weekly news bulletin that goes out with over a %90 open rate.

If you need to request a service you can contact us or just simply email us at admin@nationaltradesmen.co.uk thanks for reading.

Gregory Nelson CEO and founder.

Timber frame extension

Timber framed extensions keep on coming

March 31, 2020 Greg Nelson

Well seeing as we are all stuck indoors for a while though I would post some picture of our most recent project below we can see work on a new extension stating the project is a timber framed extension with large slide and fold doors with a roof lantern.

Mini digger excavation for new foundations

We were commissioned to build a single story timber framed extension with massive slide and fold doors.

The shuttering you can see helps us keep the required width 450mm and the required depth 750mm and keeps a nice straight line and you might also spot the laser in the back ground this means the shuttering goes in level within 0.3mm tidy hey.

Here we can see the foundation with the shutters removed to show the correct width, depth and levelled in correctly.

Here we can see the first layer of blinding before the Dpm goes down we can also see the brick vents to provide ventilation for the floor

brick work with timber frame — Brick work with timber frame

Here we can see the brickwork installed and the timber frame sitting on the sole plate.

Here we can see the 9 inch brick wall backfilled with Dpm and a blinding of sand and cement onto of a 2000gsm membrane the joists sit in hangers with Dpm behind them so stop moisture ingress.

Loft conversions in Suffolk Quality loft conversions in Ipswich Suffolk

CLC completes another conversion

January 6, 2020 Greg Nelson

CLC have been carrying out many extensions and loft conversions though 2019, to much to put on the site so we will just focus on Wind-rush Rd where we were commissioned to carry out a loft conversions for a lovely couple. The conversion consisted of steel beams sitting on the outer walls to take the new joisted floor, ashlar walls and rest of the conversion.

Above we can see the joisting installed with ashlar walls with the insulation being placed within the floor we also had to install new 140mm rafters to take away the existing fink trusses.

Here we can see the celotex installed with lighting ring installed we can slo see the flue for the boiler which needs to be boxed in we can also see the velux installed.

Here we can see the installation of the stiar case which was particularly tight this is an open tread staircase we can also see the ashlar walls with structural ply installed.