Loft conversions are an easy and practical way of expanding the size of your home, and can look incredibly attractive when built and styled properly. According to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, they can increase the value of your property by up to 25 percent.
Find the right loft conversion
‘Anyone who requires additional space in their home can benefit from a loft conversion,’ says Teresa Mahon, senior design consultant at Scott MaCabe Associates Lofts. ‘Empty lofts are wasted spaces and converting them can radically change a property.’
There are three main types of loft conversion:
- The dormer, generally full depth and set at a 90 degree angle, provides more room for your current loft space.
- The mansard, set to the rear of a property at a 70-degree angle, can be an attractive option with which a roof is extended.
- The hip-to-gable involves turning the sloped side of a roof into a flat side.
Depending on its size and type, a loft conversion can cost anywhere between £30,000 and £45,000, with more expensive options costing over £50,000. ‘Loft conversions can be used in a myriad of different ways, whether as a master suite, a den for teenagers, an audiovisual room or even a self-contained bed-sit for letting out,’ says Mahon. According to Wayne Fulham, director of Addspace Building, loft conversions are especially beneficial for families that need extra space for another bedroom or bathroom. They are convenient solutions for pregnant women, since they are built quickly and can provide more space for homeowners who do not want to move, or perhaps cannot afford to.
Get your paperwork organised
Before your plans become too advanced, check with your local council to see if planning permission is required—your architect can do this for you, or you can save yourself extra expenses by making a planning application yourself. ‘You’ll need planning permission if you live in a flat, if you’re in a conservation area or if you’ve already had an extension built onto your property,’ says Craig Colton, founder and owner of Absolute Lofts. ‘Most properties already have permitted development rights, which currently allows the loft to be extended by 40 cubic metres for terraced properties or 50 cubic metres for semi-detached or detached properties, without planning permission,’ says Mahon. ‘But these rights must never be assumed and should always be checked before any build is undertaken.’
Colton also suggests applying for a Lawful Development Certificate, which, although not required, can give you peace of mind throughout the planning and building processes. ‘Applying for a certificate means that your council has checked your plans and agreed that you do not need planning, so you can avoid delays or problems in the future,’ says Colton. ‘However, councils are really busy and getting one of these certificates takes eight to nine weeks, or even up to 12 weeks. This can delay the process, so apply early.’
Plan ahead
For a smooth process, manage your schedule efficiently: plan ahead, keeping in mind that depending on your contractor, you might have to wait up to six months until your project can kick off. Add six to eight weeks to this if you are building for a smaller loft, and up to 12 weeks for a hip-to-gable loft. This excludes the extra time you should give your project if you’re applying for a Lawful Development Certificate.
It is also important to compare quotes you’re given, and to ensure your contractor and builder are qualified to match your needs. ‘Research your builder—it really helps the process of choosing the right builder for your project if you can get to see any loft conversions that they have completed previously,’ says Wayne Fulham of Addspace Building. Once you’re set on these, be sure you’re aware of any other conditions that come with the complexity of the building process—whether you can actually reside in the property during construction, for instance. ‘If you need to lower your ceiling, for example, then you’ll have to move out of the property while construction is underway,’ says Colton of Absolute Lofts. Lastly, don’t forget your neighbours: if your property is attached to another, getting a party wall agreement will help you avoid complications and the hassle of party wall surveyors. According to Teresa Mahon of Scott MaCabe Associates Lofts, it is important to remain on top of your project at all times. ‘This industry is rife with cowboys who will tell clients exactly what they want to hear rather than the truth, to secure a contract,’ she says. ‘Always keep your wits about you!’•
Expert Advice
‘Estate agents love houses that have had the lofts converted,’ says Phil. ‘These rooftop extensions are very commonly carried out these days and represent good value for money in most cases. Yet, not every loft is ripe for revamping. Before you consider converting the loft, decide whether the extra room or rooms you create will be “liveable”, or what I call “habitable”. By habitable I mean rooms with strong floor joists to support people and furniture (as opposed to space that is only suitable for storage). You also need to put in proper insulation, safe access from the staircase to the conversion and fire doors to meet building and safety regulations.’
A building surveyor or loft conversion specialist can tell you whether your loft is suitable for conversion, by checking its head height (this should be at least two metres), pitch angle and structure type. If your head height is too low, for instance, you may need to raise your roof or lower the ceiling in the room below, each of which come with extra costs and requirements.
Remember To:
- Put a mood board together with a colour palette, fabric and design ideas for a clear sense of your own expectations from the get-go.
- Set a realistic budget including added fees, and remember that the cost of building won’t cover costs for decoration, tiling, floor finishing and sanitary ware.
- Research your contractor: ask for local recommendations and check that they have full public and employee liability insurance.
- Check your boiler is big enough to handle the additional room, especially if your project includes a bathroom.
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