Advice and ball park costs for our loft

[mr0709]

Hoping you guys can help,

Live in a mid terrace built in 1900, me and my neighbour have no wall separating our properties in the loft.

What are my options for putting a wall up to separate the two spaces? I have done google searches but all that comes up is party wall agreements.

Have seen one discussion suggesting just a stud wall with flame retardant Plasterboard on both sides, and obviously soundproofing and insulation?

Any idea of ball park costs to get this done? live in the south near southampton.

Many thanks

Mike

[Muncher]

What are you going to use the loft for?

If it's just to continue storing stuff in your half there is no need for soundproofing or insulation.

[mk1fan]

Assuming you're in England or Wales.

You'll need to follow the Party Wall Act. This doesn't necessarily mean the need for appointing Surveyors, but correct notices need to be served. If you and your neigbour have agreed to carryout the work and share the costs then you need this in a formal letter. This letter needs to include consent from both of you (as freeholders of the properties) to raise the existing Party Wall.

What ever structure you erect it is going to excert a significant load onto the Party Wall below. This wall maynot be sufficient - in structure or foundation - to carry this extra load so you need to get this checked.

Raising a masonry wall would be preferable but an alternative maybe building two separate stud walls. One wall to have plasterboard on both sides. Use fireline plasterboard and fit acoustic inslation between the studs.

[princeperch]

if you were having an affair with your neighbour, sharing your loft in such a way would be very useful indeed..

[mr0709]

The loft is just to be used to continue to store stuff.

Does that mean I'll need a structural engineer to come and have a look?

[mk1fan]

I forgot to include a budget cost!

I'd say £1,500.00 would be sufficient to cover a compentant builder to erect an insulated twin wall.

[mr0709]

further complication may be that ours is leasehold, but on one of these stupid 999 year agreements where the ground rent is supposed to be £1 a year does this have a bearing on the party wall agreement

[shimmey69]

you have mail

[mk1fan]

Yes, as the Freeholder has to consent too.