Looking for a way to add extra value and space into your home? Love where you live but running out of space? Planning on launching a business, or just fancy a painting studio, yoga space or a spare bedroom? The answer could be right above your head. Loft conversions are big business – mainly because they add a lot to a home and are relatively quick and easy to have done. Like any home renovation project, it can be stressful to tackle a loft conversions – especially if you’ve never done a big improvement like that before, so what do you need to have in mind before you get started?
What Type Of Conversion Do You Need?
There are several different types of loft conversion, and which one you take on will depend on both the space that you have existing in your loft, and what you want to achieve with it. Your choices will make a big difference to the complexity and the cost of your project. If you already have quite a lot of space up there, the simplest conversion just makes use of what’s already there, adding velux windows into the existing roof and cutting up a staircase before running power up and creating a floor, boarding out the space and plastering. If there’s a lot of wasted space due to the pitch of the roof, you could consider adding a dormer window. This is a frame, built outwards from the roof which gives head height and a lot more usable space. At the top end of the scale are conversions with a Mansard roof – this runs the entire length of the house, and will change your roof profile to be almost vertical. It’s an expensive option but it can be necessary depending on your existing space and your goal. Your best best is to go up into the loft space with an architect, get their views on what could be done, and see if you need to do any preparatory work such as maybe call a pest control professional if you have vermin or insects to deal with.
The Technical Side
Your architect will also be able to advise you on a few other things – you roof will need to be at least 2.2m at the tallest part, or you may have to deal with things like lowering the floor or changing the roof. If you share a party wall with a neighbouring property, you’ll also need a party wall agreement drawing up. There may also be certain building regulations and restrictions that you need to be aware of, and it’s important to factor in time for all of this – although a simple loft conversion can be done in as little as six weeks, that doesn’t include time for all the design and legal work around the building project.
Choose Your Contractors
Once plans are in place, you will need to select a lead contractor. It’s best to aim for a personal recommendation, so start off by asking friends, family and neighbours who may have had building work done recently. Don’t automatically go for the cheapest option – you want a project like this done right and finished to a high standard. Be aware that some firms may quite deliberately low to get the work and then find ways to inflate the cost after the fact. Always pick a builder who can show you their previous work – former clients who are happy for you to go round and take a look are always a good sign,