If you are struggling for space and cannot afford or deal with the extra stress of moving home, loft conversions can be an excellent choice to give you extra space and add value to your home. Since COVID-19 more and more of us are working at home, and a loft conversion can be an excellent option to open up some extra space, without needing to uproot your family to a new location.
Typically loft conversions are cheaper than extensions to your home, and when compared to a ground floor extension, you won’t have to deal with the loss of garden space with a loft conversion. In 2021 the average cost of a loft conversion was thought to be between pound; 16,000 and pound; 40,000 depending on the size and location, which is often cheaper than a ground floor or two storey extension.
Who Can Do Loft Conversions?
It is recommended that you employ a professional to convert your loft conversion, especially as it will need to comply with different building and fire regulations. You can either use a general builder, or there are companies that specialise in loft conversions. For example if you are after loft conversions Southend or many other locations, then there are a number of companies available who specialise in loft conversions.
What Kind Of Loft Conversions Are There?
There are a number of different options when converting a loft, and we have listed some of the main one’s for you below. You should consider what option works best for you by balancing the costs, the extra space and what is likely to be approved if planning permission is required.
- Dormer loft conversions are the most common type of loft conversions. With dormer conversions, a box shape is created and protracts out of the roof, giving you more internal space.
- Mansard loft conversions are typically found at the back of the house, and are the most ambitious loft conversion options. Mansard lofts include removing a portion of the roof, with either a gently sloped roof or a flat roof, to provide you with more space.
- Hip to gable loft conversions straighten the inward sloping edges of the side of your roof, and is becoming a popular option.
- Adding roof lights is the simplest and most straightforward loft conversion, when you do not change the shape or size of the existing space at all, you simply add roof lights or windows. You will still need to make the necessary changes to the flooring and walls, but this can often be much cheaper.
If you have a pyramid roof, you have plenty of pyramid roof loft conversion options, especially if you have a detached house. It is likely that most of the options above could be suitable for you, you will just need to decide which one works best for you and your budget.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Having to secure planning permission for your loft conversion can add extra costs and delays. Thankfully, most loft conversions can take place without planning permission, under a scheme called Permitted Development. However, Permitted Development does not apply to all buildings (for example listed buildings), and your council may have blocked permitted development rights using something called an Article 4 direction. If you are in anyway unsure if your scheme requires planning permission you should contact your local council or an architect / planning consultant.
Do I Need Building Regulations Approval For A Loft Conversion?
Yes, you will need building regulations approval. It is important to remember that planning permission and building regulations are different things, and as such even if you don’t need planning permission you will still need building regulations approval.
If you plan to rent out your property or sell it at a later date, and you haven’t secured the right planning permission or building regulations approval this can cause delays and extra costs.