Loft conversion preparation in Exeter
Professional loft conversion preparation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote required
Typical Duration
1-3 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Clear and prepare your loft space ready for conversion work. We remove stored items, take out old insulation and boarding, disconnect and remove water tanks, strip out obsolete cables and fixings, and dispose of everything. You get a clean, empty loft ready for the conversion team.
Loft conversion builders don't want to spend billable time clearing your loft. We do the messy prep work - clearing junk, removing insulation, taking up boarding, removing tanks and pipework - so the conversion team can start work immediately on the clean space.
What We Can Do
| Task | Description | Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| General clearance | Remove stored items, junk, and clutter | To your garage/shed or skip |
| Insulation removal | Strip out old fibreglass/mineral wool insulation | Bagged and disposed of |
| Boarding removal | Take up chipboard/OSB loft boarding | Disposed of or saved if you want |
| Water tank removal | Disconnect and remove cold water tanks | Disposed of (unless you want kept) |
| Pipework capping | Cap off redundant pipes safely | Pipes either removed or capped |
| Cable tidying | Remove obsolete cables and fixings | Requires electrician for live cables |
| Debris disposal | Clear all waste and debris | To skip or waste disposal |
What We Can't Do
| Task | Who You Need | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos removal | Licensed asbestos contractor | Legal requirement for asbestos work |
| Live electrical work | Qualified electrician | Part P compliance |
| Structural changes | Structural engineer/builder | Building regs and safety |
| Gas pipe work | Gas Safe engineer | Legal requirement |
We'll identify what needs specialist attention and can recommend appropriate contractors.
Why Choose Us for Loft conversion preparation in Exeter?
Full loft clearance and disposal
Safe insulation removal
Boarding and tank removal
Clean space ready for builders
What to Expect
1. Initial Assessment We visit your loft, assess what needs removing, identify any hazards or specialist requirements (asbestos, live cables), estimate time and disposal needs, and provide a detailed quote.
2. Preparation & Protection We protect the floor below from dust and debris, set up safe access (scaffolding tower or ladder), arrange skip if needed, and prepare containment for insulation removal (it's dusty and itchy).
3. Systematic Clearance We work methodically through the space, remove stored items to your chosen location, strip out insulation carefully (full PPE used), take up boarding and battens, disconnect and remove tanks and pipework (capped safely), and bag all debris for disposal.
🔧 DIY Tips
Considering doing loft prep yourself? Here's the reality:
- Insulation is horrible: Fibreglass makes you itch for days, gets in lungs, needs full body coverage and respirator
- It's heavy work: Old tanks hold water and weigh a ton, boarding is awkward to get down ladder holes
- Dust is insane: Decades of dust comes down with insulation - everything below gets filthy without proper containment
- Height and access: Working in tight loft spaces is tiring and risky - proper platforms or towers make it safer
- Disposal costs: Skip hire for loft clearance runs £150-300 depending on size - factor this into DIY costs
If you have time, patience, and proper PPE, DIY clearance saves money. If you value your time and don't want to itch for a week, we'll handle it.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Asbestos risk: Houses built before 2000 might have asbestos insulation or boards. If we suspect asbestos, work stops and you need licensed removal before continuing.
Insulation removal: Full PPE required - coveralls, gloves, respirator, goggles. Fibreglass insulation is unpleasant but not dangerous with proper protection. We bag it all for disposal.
Water tanks: Cold water storage tanks in lofts are obsolete with modern mains-pressure systems. We disconnect, drain, and remove them. Plumber needs to cap/redirect plumbing properly.
Boarding value: Loft boarding is often cheap chipboard with little reuse value. We usually dispose of it unless you specifically want it kept.
Cable safety: Old cables might still be live. We don't touch live electrical work - electrician needs to isolate/remove safely. We remove dead cables and fixings.
Timing: Do this before conversion builders arrive. They charge premium rates for clearance time. We charge handyman rates and get the space ready for them.
Skip hire: You can arrange your own skip or we can include it in the quote. Loft clearance usually fills a 4-6 yard skip (£150-250 hire cost).
Structural checks: Before conversion, you need structural engineer assessment. They check whether joists can support floor loads, if roof structure can be altered, etc. We just clear the space.
Planning/Building regs: Loft conversions usually need building regulations approval, sometimes planning permission. Prep work doesn't, but the conversion does - check before starting.
Access: Standard loft ladders are fine for clearance work. Conversion builders usually need proper scaffolding or scaffold tower for safe access during build work.
Bat checks: Legally required before loft conversion if evidence of bats. We'll mention if we see bat droppings - you need a bat survey before work continues.
What to keep: Decide what stored items you want kept before we start. We can move them to garage/shed or dispose of them - your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does loft conversion preparation cost?
Loft prep costs vary hugely depending on what's up there. A simple clear-out might be £210-410 (half to full day). Full prep with insulation removal, tank removal, and boarding take-up could be £500-1500. We'll quote after seeing what's involved.
What does loft conversion prep include?
We clear stored items, remove old insulation, take up existing boarding, remove water tanks and pipework (capped safely), strip out old cables/fixings, and dispose of all debris. You get an empty loft ready for conversion builders.
Can you remove asbestos insulation?
No - asbestos removal requires licensed specialists. If we find suspected asbestos, we'll stop work and recommend licensed contractors. Most loft insulation is fibreglass or mineral wool which we can remove safely with proper PPE.
How long does loft preparation take?
Simple clearance takes half to full day. Full prep with insulation removal, boarding, and tank removal takes 1-3 days depending on loft size and what's installed. We'll give you a time estimate when we see the space.
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