Not every property owner can find the money to move house nowadays, with real estate selling prices rocketing and expenses spiraling. There are far more fees than just the price tag on a new property to consider, the act of physically moving home is pricey and there will be lots of additional expenditure to look at. If you find that your home is not large enough to comfortably accommodate your growing family, relocating isn't the only real resolution.
If your property is suitable, you may be able to put on a proper extension to generate that much needed extra living space. You might need planning permission to do this and it could be costly. If you've got a sizeable garage that you're not presently using, you might give some thought to having a garage conversion. Potentially the most effective option is to have a loft conversion, which can add a considerable amount of value to your home and should not need any form of planning permission.
For some of the above reasons loft conversion has become very popular over the last few years. It is recommended, before you take the plunge, that you check whether or not your property is in fact well suited for a loft conversion. Lots of modern homes which have roofs made with trusses aren't usually suitable. Slightly older houses that were constructed prior to the 1970's tend to be perfect for loft conversions as they were created using solid rafters and there was usually plenty of headroom.
To make certain your specific loft is acceptable, you will want to call in a conversion specialist to check it out. When your builder gives the all clear for a loft conversion you can get him to provide a quotation. Get several more quotations from different conversion specialists, so you've a varied pick of tradespeople. Use your intuition rather than only thinking about the price tag when selecting who's the best person to accomplish your loft conversion.
There's a high likelihood that you won't even need planning permission for converting your loft, as most conversions don't need planning permission. The planning department is the place to determine whether you do need to get planning permission.
Though for property owners, having their loft converted might be a good option, it still requires a significant financial commitment. If you do not actually have the cash you can always put in for a loan, which is often not too difficult as the chances are that the loft conversion will add to the value of your property. As a broad guide you might be expecting that a loft conversion will cost roughly as much as a good sized brick ground level extension although the likelihood is that you will achieve more space with a conversion without expanding your property's overall footprint.
The design and style of your particular dwelling influences which kind of conversion you end up with. Loft conversions come in different types such as: mansard conversions, velux loft conversions, loft pods, hip-to-gable conversions, dormer loft conversions, roof light conversions and roof lift loft conversions. To discover which is the most appropriate and cost effective for your house, talk with your chosen builder or loft specialist.
Dormer Conversions
One of the most popular types of loft conversion right now is the dormer layout, a concept that delivers affordability, although still delivers the most additional space. This style is a fashionable option with home-owners since it's both attractive and effective and offers almost everything which could possibly be required. With a dormer conversion it is even a possibility to add a little balcony, meaning that you're even creating added outdoor space as well. You will discover there are several sorts of dormers namely Velux window dormers, flat roofed dormers, gabled dormers and shed dormers. Chat with an expert to find out which one is actually the perfect choice for your particular property.
Velux Conversions
One of the best known brands of roof windows, Velux, have been around for over sixty years and they can be trusted to deliver a loft window that is both high caliber and efficient. Velux windows are made to be fitted flush with the gradient of your roof and thereby don't alter the shape of the roof structure, they don't ordinarily require local authority permission and they're relatively economical to fit. Velux windows let in a good quantity of light and actually may need to have blinds fitted the summertime. If your loft space has a decent amount of headroom, Velux windows might be the best option for you, particularly if you have limited capital.
How Long Should it Take to Do?
The timescale for completing a conversion would be determined by three or four variables which include the style of conversion, the availability of required materials, the proficiency of the building company, the prevailing weather conditions and the amount of planning that's done. As an approximate guide a rear dormer conversion carried out on a terraced property should take approximately four or five weeks, a hip to gable dormer conversion on a semi-detached dwelling should take about five to six weeks.
You will find several purposes to which the loft conversion can be put, once it's finished. Some homeowners turn it into an extra bedroom or two, a new bathroom or a teen hangout. But certainly there's lots of uses to which a decent conversion can be put, constrained solely by your imagination!
Tags: Loft Conversion, Loft Conversions, Creating More Space, Home Improvements DIY