CONVERT YOUR LOFT
Do it
How to... CONVERT YOUR LOFT
Need an extra room but don’t want to sacrifice your garden? Build upwards…
L
ofts don’t get a lot of love. Stuffed with ‘just in case’ junk and things that haven’t seen the light of day for 20-plus years, they are often ripe for renovation. Clear yours of its clutter and you can turn it into somewhere that is both functional and beautiful.
Is my loft suitable? Ideally your loft should be 2.2m or higher at the mid-point. If yours is lower, you might want to reassess. There’s no minimum room height dictated by building regulations, but there is for staircases and access. A workaround is lowering the ceiling in the room below – you’ll have to fit a new floor in the loft as part of the conversion, so this isn’t as drastic a project as it sounds. Next, look at any obstacles – is there a water tank or a chimney stack that might need to be moved? Finally, check your roof – does it have a steep pitch that limits height around the room and may require a dormer (a window or door projection that’s added onto the roof) or roof redesign? The roof should also be weatherproof and insulated – felt under the tiles is a good indicator that it is.
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What is involved? Dormers, roof lights and windows need to be installed, the rafters need to be reinforced and the roof needs to be insulated, as well as a staircase fitted. Any partition walls must be built along with first fix plumbing and electrics, and extraction if the conversion includes a bathroom. Plus, you’ll need radiators.
How much will it cost? ‘Loft conversions can cost as little as £12,000 for smaller projects and from
£40,000 for bigger developments,’ says Jude Tugman, MD at Architect Your Home. Prefab loft replacement conversions are another option, but they’re pricey, costing around £55,000.
Who should I hire for the job? Complex projects may require the expertise of an architect, but a chartered surveyor or building engineer could be a better fit. Most building engineers can produce plans for a conversion, as well as structural calculations needed for the timber and steel components of the roof space. Ask any of your neighbours who have had their lofts recently converted for their recommendations.
Do I need permission? Converting a loft rarely requires planning permission unless you’re raising the roof line or changing its structure, but it will need building regulations approval. This ensures that the structural strength of the new floor will be sufficient, and that the roof will be stable. A building control surveyor will visit to make sure that the work meets regulations and issue a completion certificate. If your house is semi-detached or terraced, you’ll also be subject to party wall requirements.
What are the exceptions? Your conversion will require planning permission if the roof is going to be extended or altered and it exceeds specified limits and conditions, or if you live in a designated area. Check the limits and conditions at planningportal.co.uk.
‘A CONVERSION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GOOD CLEAR OUT AND TO REASSESS STORAGE. THINK ABOUT ADDING FITTED FURNITURE, TOO’
BEST FOR… CREATING SPACE
Whether your family is growing or you’re in need of a some additional square metreage, a loft conversion offers a whole extra room. If you’re planning to use the conversion as an extra bedroom, consider trying to squeeze in an en-suite, too.
ADDING VALUE
A loft conversion can increase the value of your home by up to 20% and can be used for anything from a bedroom to a home office. It may seem like a costly investment at the time, but when it comes to moving on, you’ll have boosted the property’s value and will hopefully make your money back. It’s unlikely converting a loft will require planning permission, although there are exceptions.
SAVING THE GARDEN
Now more than ever, an outdoor area is an invaluable commodity. Extending a property outwards can often mean sacrificing garden space, where as a loft conversion utilises existing, often underused, space within the house.
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