What we do and how we do it – Albion Lofts

As the name suggests, Albion Lofts' main area of expertise is loft conversions. We know that sounds obvious but it's amazing what you can be asked to build! We have built garage conversions and they are great if you want that extra space without the need to build onto your house - but we do state that we choose to concentrate on loft conversions because that's what we do.

The process of buying a loft conversion through us is simple, too. At no point will you feel rushed into decisions and we aim to do all the hard work so you don't have to.

Free, no-ogligation survey
Firstly, all you have to do is pick up the phone and book a free no-obligation survey with our managing director, Simon James. He will then make an appointment that suits you and will measure your loft to make sure it's the right height, etc. Once this is done, a more in-depth chat can be had about what you require the extra room(s) for, followed by a little sketch of your new room. We do pride ourselves on the variety of designs we can offer you and won't promise to try and do something if it just isn't feasible.

If you want to proceed further another survey will be necessary, but this one will be more in depth to enable a full drawing to be produced, so that if you wish to go-ahead the plans can then be submitted to your local Council.

Throughout this time no pressure will be put on you to go to the next stage.

Beginning of Loft conversion
If you decide to go ahead then a start date will be booked and the first fix team will begin your new loft conversion. When they arrive (the first fix team consists of two carpenters) they will present you with a full itinerary of the loft conversion so you can see when the different stages will be completed and when stage payments will need to be met. We do try to aim to stick to our plan but as you are aware, a loft conversion's progress can be hampered by bad weather!

As well as the carpenter's arriving, most of the materials will arrive, too. The steelwork to hold up your roof is in the first delivery as well as the timber for the first build stage. Insulation and plasterboard for the second stage of the first fix can sometimes arrive later, depending on the size of the scaffolding and storage space.

The job will then be in full swing.

Minimal disturbance
Another aim of ours is to minimise the amount of disturbance to you and your living space. For most of the time up until the staircase is fitted, we will only enter the house to put dust sheets down your staircase and along the landing and to clear them up after the day. The rest of the time access into and out of the loft will be through the roof. Each night we re-tile the roof over our access hole so that it's secure and weather proof over night and over the weekend. Only when the hole for the staircase is made and the staircase fitted will we then enter the loft through the house. By the stage the stairs are fitted the loft conversion will be in a pre-plastering state.

This is the stage of the job when the first-fix carpenter will leave the job and the plasterer will arrive. The plastering usually takes about 2 - 3 days depending on the size of the loft conversion and once the plasterer has finished. The job will be left for about a week for the plaster to set.

Now it's time for the second fixer to arrive. He will be responsible for fitting access panels, hanging doors, fitting skirting and achitrave, and fitting the newel posts, handrails and spindles. This stage really polishes off the job and it's now ready for decorating.

Staircases and loft windows
With new loft staircases we always recommend our traditional style staircases to be in keeping with your original staircase and our price includes the turning of spindles, etc. For our roof windows, we always use Velux and can supply the blinds if you wish to purchase them through Albion Lofts.

Guarantee.

After all of this you will now have a new room and we know that you will be very happy with the result. We pride ourselves on our work and aim to put you, our valued customer, first.