Understanding Loft Conversions

There are several reasons why you might want to convert your loft to provide some additional space. You can convert your loft to create a home office, or add a new bedroom or games room. You could even see a reasonable net increase in your home’s value if you are planning to sell it. Think about the well-known BBC series about people doing up homes to sell.

A loft conversion may seem a simple idea on paper but it’s much more complex when you are actually doing it. There are numerous considerations you must first check carefully before starting on a successful loft conversion. You should involve an expert to help you determine and plan the most appropriate type of loft conversion for your existing structure. 

An expert can also provide guidance when it comes to planning permission, building regulations guidelines such as fire safety, and coming up with great designs, in addition to helping to estimate the cost of a dormer loft conversion or another variant of conversion.

Is my loft suitable for conversion?

This is something you need to first figure out before you even think about planning any other aspects of your loft conversion. You need to check the roof height to determine whether you can proceed with the conversion. If the roof is too low, you may have to alter a part of the roof to provide the necessary height. The roof structure is also important when checking if your home is suitable for conversion as some designs will not be practical. 

Consult your builder or architect or conduct a search to check out the category in which your house falls into. Experienced and qualified architects like Humphreysandsons can help you through these considerations while also coming up with an elegant design. 

Do I need planning permission for my loft conversion?

Many loft conversion projects will not require you to seek planning permission before you can commence. However, there are situations where you will be required to apply for planning permission. If you have permitted development rights, you can start the conversion right away. If your home is situated in a conservation area or has a low roof space, this is where it begins to be challenging. 

In addition, if your converted loft will use different materials from the existing building, be higher than the tallest part of the house or extend past the current roof slope of your house, you may require planning permission. Remember these laws are not universal and may vary from local authority to local authority. This is why it is always important to always consult a professional. For those in London, ‘Hamilton Darcey – Party Wall Specialist London‘ provides expert advice, ensuring compliance with local regulations and a smooth process for all parties involved.

Loft conversion building regulations

All loft conversions require building regulations approval. This is mainly because building regulations focus on safety, ensuring that every home has been built to the required standard. Your newly converted loft should have strong structural support, fire or emergency exit, insulation as well as stairs if necessary. If these specifications are not met, you might be asked to take the new structure down which can be costly. 

Conclusion

There’s no doubt a loft conversion can add great value to your home. It will provide you with some much-needed space and even improve the value of your property. However, you need to make sure that your loft conversion has been built to the required standards because if it is not, you can compromise the entire structural integrity of your house, lose cash and even lower your home’s value. Always remember to consult a professional to be on the safe side. 

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