Tophouse Assessments Limited
SAP Calcs - Air Pressure testing - Energy Performance Certificates . >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> tel 01634 799115 for free expert advice
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Flat Conversions  / Material Change of use
 
The thermal properties of  conversions should conform to part L1B  --applies to work on existing dwellings or buildings converted to dwellings

 

  • The basis for this is material change of use i.e. altering the number of dwellings in a building
  • e.g from 0 to several flats for a pub conversion,
  • or from 1 to several if converting a house to several flats.
  • Converting a non residential property into a single house.
  • The regulations have changed 1st October 2010 and the standards of heating and insulation are higher than before so don't get caught out.

 

For  totally free advice or a quote Telephone Martin Gill on 01634 799115
Only Use  qualified assessors who are members of an approved scheme

 
 
We specalise in insulation and heating calculations Flat conversions . We recognise that differerent clients have different objectives and tailor individual designs to maximise the value for each client. Building control are frequently not up to speed with the regulations and ask for un-neccessary measures or fail to pick up non compliance issues until after the build is complete. Because the regulations are designed to cope with different scenarios they are rather compex and difficult to understand and require experties to apply correctly and present a good case.
 
What we provide as standard
U value calculations : free!
SAP  calculations
CO2 Emissions calculations 
Compliance matrix for building control
Energy performance certificates on completion
 
Frequently there  are aternative routes to compliance that require expert interpetation. This is useful where there are limitations due to physical or cost constraints - perhaps the normal amount of insulation makes the room too small ? Perhaps the insulation is not economic on cost savings grounds.
 
 
The energy performance certificates are produced from the full SAP calculation on completion.  RdSAP EPC's as offered by estate agents for existing houses are not valid for new houses or meterial change of use conversions. 
 
Where people go wrong
 
get incomplate  / inadequate advice
Fail to do a SAP assessment and Part L compliance before starting the work ( not sure if this is legal under the 2010 regulations!)
Install inadequate insulation
Install non compliant heating systems  - particularly electrical heating has a high risk of non- compliance
Fail to understand the fuel switching clauses and install  the wrong heating entirely
Put the wrong windows in
Use unchecked or incorrect U Value calculations and install the wrong insulation levels
Comply to  the wrong set of regulations L1A or L1B? 2006 or 2010? Material change of use or renovation? New or provided elements? 
 
 
 
 
 Do you need sound testing as well  - call now for a quote!