Thinking of loft converting? Listen up!

A loft conversion adds a whole floor of liveable space to a house, usually a bedroom, a study and a bathroom. That is the sort of addition a buyer pays for.

Firstly, think about how much you should spend on your loft conversion. You want to add value to your property with a loft conversion. Spend too much and you overvalue the house, and the margin disappears.

For example, your house is valued at £500,000. If your loft conversion costs £50,000, the projected cost of your home is £550,000. However, if the ceiling prices of houses on your street are £520,000, then you will never see your profit.

A straightforward loft conversion takes around six to ten weeks on site. If the existing roof has to come off, as it does on a mansard, allow longer again.

In most cases a loft conversion falls within permitted development and needs no application. However, if you are extending or altering your roof and exceeding the limits and conditions, then you may need planning permission.

There are three main types of loft conversions people generally have done on their home.

Roof-light Conversion: Generally, this conversion is kept within the existing roof structure. It tends to be the most affordable because of this. Space can be limited due to the room being contained within the original roof height.

Dormer Window Extension: More expensive, this is where the volume of the roof is made into a 90 degree angle allowing vertical windows and doors, and therefore a lot more full head room. Generally, there is no need for planning permission, but there may need to be if changes are happening to the front elevation of the property.

Mansard Conversion: You will almost definitely need planning permission. In these cases, the existing roof structure is completely changed. Mansards allow the maximum amount of living space, extending the entire roof space to a flat roof with a steep front wall, 70 to 90 degrees.

Once you know which type you want, bring in the specialists. We have put right our fair share of bad loft conversions, so it is worth making sure the work is done by a qualified company with the right insurance. The checks that get missed are the safety of the stairs, the insulation levels, the drainage falls and the electrical certification. All four are hard to put right afterwards.

The little details. A new loft conversion needs to be practical. Think about the positioning of plug sockets and radiators, and also where the lighting should be installed, your NU project manager will help you with all these details.

And finally, don’t forget about furniture and fittings. With awkward shapes being formed by the roof structure, a qualified carpenter will be able to create bespoke, individual fitting wardrobes and storage cupboards to fit your space exactly. This means that there is no wasted space as there would be with free standing cabinets.

Tell us about your loft and we will tell you what it can take. We design, build and fit out the whole thing, from the first survey to handover. Call 020 7731 6841, or price the work with the cost calculator.