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Thinking of Renovating Your Home - Consider A Dream Loft Conversion

22/5/2019

30 Comments

 

Do you need more space in your home?

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​A loft conversion is a welcome addition to any family home. Not only does it expand the space of your home, but it also significantly adds value to its sale price and provides an extra layer of insulation, meaning that you’ll cut your energy usage. Lofts tend to be one of the largest areas of unused space in a house, whilst also being the simplest to convert.
 
Whether your dream loft conversion requires structural work or you’re planning on minor alterations to make the most of the space you already have, there are a few important things to consider in order to create the perfect design that suits your home, as well as your family’s needs.

​How much does a loft conversion cost?

​You may be wondering- if it’s extra space you’re after, why not just move to a larger house? Well on average, the cost of a loft conversion is one third of the cost of moving to another house with an extra room, meanwhile increasing the value of your home by up to 25%. With such vast financial benefits, it’s clear that choosing to take on a loft conversion is a worthy investment- but how much does it actually cost?
 
The average loft conversion costs anything from £20,000 to £50,000, but this number, of course, depends on a list of variables. For example, are you adding a bathroom? How big is your existing loft space and how much are you hoping to extend it by? How much structural work is required? The final consideration has a significant impact on the price - if you can get away without having to perform any or only minor structural work, the cost of your loft conversion can drop dramatically.
 
It’s up to you how you pay for your loft conversion. If you have a stricter budget, it may be worth working with a specialist loft company for an all-inclusive price so that you can stay within your allotted costs. On the other hand, you could find an architect or construction company to draw up the plans and then gather quotes from the relevant contractors. With the latter option, you’ll have to pay the various parties (builders, roofing specialists, door and window experts, etc), however, you’ll benefit from their specialist knowledge on each aspect of your renovation.
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​Is my house suitable for a loft conversion?

​Once you’ve weighed up the costs and you’re happy to go ahead, you next need to work out whether a loft conversion is actually possible in your home. Most importantly, there needs to be at least 2.1m between the floor and the roof in the tallest part of your loft - for a comfortable bedroom or living room, at least half of the space should offer this amount of headroom. Not only will this ensure your conversion complies with building regulations, but it also means that you won’t be uncomfortably crouching or knocking your head.
 
With their steeply pitched roofs, Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian and other pre-war properties are the perfect fit. You just need to remember to contact a chartered surveyor before the work goes ahead to ensure the building is structurally sound.
 
After sussing out whether your loft is suitable internally, you’ll secondly need to work out whether you need to apply for planning permission. Most loft conversions fall under the ‘permitted development’ category, meaning that you won’t need planning permission to renovate your loft. However, if you want to add a balcony or terrace, your plans must be approved. Equally, if your house is listed or in a conservation area, getting permission may be more difficult. 

​How can I make sure my loft design complies with Building Regulations?

Whatever type of property you have, you’ll need Building Regulations approval. Your building contractors should ensure that your loft complies, however, it’s worth understanding the standard building regulations yourself so that you don’t get caught out after spending your hard-earned cash on your building project. Make sure you’re aware of these important rules:
 
  • Often there are restrictions to the size (area) of the loft.
 
  • You shouldn’t raise the existing roof height or alter the front facade of your home. If you want to make major alterations to the back of your home, check with your local council before going ahead.
 
  • As mentioned above, the head height in the loft should be at least 2.1m in some or most of the space.
 
  • Your new loft area should be accessible via a permanent staircase. If you have limited space, opt for a spiral staircase or fixed ladder - these also make for a quirky design feature.
 
  • There should be a good standard of insulation in the loft in order to overcome extreme temperatures. It should be between 150mm and 250mm thick.
 
  • Fire regulations must be incorporated into the design. For example, install a smoke detector or sprinkler system and swap the internal doors around the staircase for fire doors.
Of course always check your local building codes to check what's possible in your area. Asking an expert for advice is always worth it - even if it costs a little extra.

​What styles of loft conversions are available? What will suit your house and budget?

When it comes to loft conversions, there are plenty of different options out there. The design you choose is predominantly down to how much space you want to add and your budget, however, it’s also important to consider planning restraints and the aesthetic impact of your chosen style on your house - it should fit the architectural style and not look like an add-on.

There are four main loft styles for standard properties:
​
  • Dormer - This loft is a structural extension of the house which projects vertically from the slope of the existing roof. Dormers tend to have a flat or gabled roof, offering good head height and plenty of additional space. They’re also relatively inexpensive.
 
  • Mansard - In this style, the party wall is raised while the roof remains flat and the outer wall slopes inwards. It works particularly well for period terraced houses and is supposedly more aesthetically pleasing than a dormer.
 
  • Hip to gable - This is when an inwardly slanted roof is straightened to create a vertical wall. A hip to gable conversion is perfect for an end-of-terrace or detached home as it blends well with the existing building.
 
  • Roof light - Using skylight windows, you can make the most of an already spacious loft space without having to alter the existing roof structure. All you’ll need to do is reinforce the floor and insulate properly. This option is around 25% cheaper and is more likely to be approved in conservation areas. 

Conclusion - adding extra space will add value to your home

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​So, whether you want to add an extra bedroom to your home, create a second living area or even flip your house upside down with a light and spacious open plan kitchen diner at the top of your home, a loft conversion could be the perfect addition. Just be sure to work with an experienced and accredited specialist loft company or architect and construction firm in order to design and build a loft conversion that looks beautiful and stands the test of time. 

The Paul Ennis Group offers building surveying, construction and architectural services to customers across the North West of England. The group has received accreditations for their services across the industry. When you choose to work with Paul Ennis, you can expect a high quality and professional service, every time.
30 Comments
Jon link
28/5/2019 05:42:38 am

Loft conversions can be a brilliant use of space in your home, and they get great natural light if you have a skylight or two. Make sure you get your roof inspected before you start any construction though - any weaknesses or leaks will be much more damaging to a liveable space!

Reply
Vital Building and Pest Inspections link
2/10/2019 01:36:05 pm

Informative article!!! Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I have ever read. This is a really useful article for me. Thanks for posting this informative article.

Reply
Create Room link
31/3/2020 03:44:47 pm

Really useful article, loft conversions are one of the best ways to add value to a property. The new space can also be used for so many things.

Really liked the part in this article about “How much does a loft conversion cost?” very good information and insightful.

We recently wrote an article about the best ideas for small lofts: https://www.create-room.co.uk/loft-conversion-ideas-for-small-lofts/

Sorry for the shameless blog promo, but I think it’s relevant to this post and hope you get some use out of it :)

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Create Room link
12/5/2020 05:44:09 pm

Good post. Thank you for sharing Detailed Information about Cost Of Loft Conversion. Especially, We like the Different types of Loft Conversion and there Costing that you shared above. We also found an article covering How To Convert A Loft. (Here is the link: https://www.create-room.co.uk/how-to-convert-a-loft/) Sorry for the link but I thought it might be helpful.

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Design and Build Auckland link
18/5/2020 12:17:18 am

I love lofts….when I was living with my parents my dad made me a beautiful loft and I still miss that. I am looking for moving to a new place and I would love to have a loft over there, I love this idea of loft of yours. Thanks for sharing! Please visit the link below: https://homedesigncompany.co.nz/

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29/5/2020 10:15:21 pm

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Home smiths link
5/10/2020 07:13:04 pm

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6/10/2020 11:48:28 pm

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21/10/2020 09:57:47 am

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6/11/2020 02:07:42 am

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Loft Boarding Specialist link
26/2/2021 11:20:36 am

It is a wonderful article saying that a dream loft conversion is considered to be the concept of renovating your house. 

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Loft Boarding Specialist link
9/3/2021 09:08:55 am

Loft conversions are a fantastic way to make the most of the room in your home while still allowing for plenty of natural light.

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Loft and Insulation link
16/3/2021 06:01:29 pm

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17/3/2021 02:58:18 pm

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22/3/2021 02:15:20 pm

Numerous property holders are charmed with lofts for various reasons. Others essentially need to accomplish a novel home, a couple might want to amplify space, and there are some who'd love to have the security it offers. On the off chance that you likewise fantasize building a space in your current home, you can utilize an old loft or an open territory with a high roof and change it into a room or a space that can fill various needs.

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Ken Banks link
8/6/2021 08:45:43 pm

Great post! Thanks for sharing. I will surely consider this loft conversion ideas while renovating my home.

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loft flooring link
10/6/2021 09:10:48 am

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Ken Banks link
17/6/2021 05:17:19 pm

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LoftBoardingSpecialist link
2/7/2021 10:27:11 am

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18/7/2021 06:21:16 pm

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Loft Boarding Specialist link
10/12/2021 08:23:25 am

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Loft Boarding Specialist link
4/9/2023 06:43:09 pm

Your article really sheds light on an important topic about thinking of renovating your home consider a dream loft conversion. The insights you've provided are truly eye-opening and make me rethink my perspective. Great job.

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10/10/2023 09:34:44 am

I've been struggling with time management, and your article provided some excellent strategies. It's already helping me be more productive.

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ROOFING ROSSINGTON link
2/1/2024 10:39:36 pm

Considering a loft conversion? This article provides an excellent overview, addressing key questions from costs and planning considerations to design styles and building regulations. The emphasis on the value addition to the home and the reminder to collaborate with experienced professionals ensures readers are well-prepared for a successful loft transformation.





Reply
ROOFING MEXBOROUGH link
17/1/2024 09:22:28 pm

This is helpful information for homeowners considering a loft conversion, emphasizing the benefits of added space, increased home value, and energy efficiency. Thanks for sharing these insights.

Reply

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    Author

    I’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you.
    'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' are my latest books. packed with tips and information to ensure your home construction project is a success. Get your copy today from Amazon and other online stores.

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