Loft Conversion
Converting your loft is probably the best option you can take to exploit every inch of your house since the ever well-disposed attic space can be reshaped into beautiful usable space. Whether it is in the form of an added bedroom, a working area, or a placid retreat, a properly constructed loft conversion can help raise the worth and functionality of your home on a whole new level.
Why think about a loft conversion?
Extend the Living Area: A loft extension can give you that extra space you want without the requirement of an exorbitant home extension. It incorporates an often ignored space into a usable part of the home.
Enhance the Resale Value of your property: Loft conversions are worth the money. They offer extra living space and in the long run significantly increase the property return rate, that is about twenty percent on the market business value.
Avoid Worrying about Relocation: In case it’s your favorite house, and there is need for expansion a LUT conversion is in the best interest of that homeowner. It’s a way of extending the old house without the burdens as well as the expenses involved in moving to a new house.
A loft conversion is completely separate from any other extension type. Best results are from Permitted Development.
You can achieve almost full width and depth, but no higher than the existing roof. The best roof type for the loft extension is a gabled roof (2 sides slope) rather than a hipped roof (all 4 sides slope).
Always remember, you may lose a bit of space on the floor below when installing the staircase. Loft conversions are great for creating an extra bedroom, maybe with an ensuite.
Ways of Loft Conversions
1. Dormer Loft Conversion
A dormer loft conversion is perhaps the most frequently carried out type. It consists of modifying a roof structure to add additional space where headroom and floor area are required. It creates big spaces that are not only large but let in a lot of sunlight as well.
Best for: Houses whose lofts are very limited, houses located in city centers.
Benefits: High client ceilings, better lighting, and easy planning constraints consideration.
2. Hip to Gable Loft Conversion
Asymmetric conversion is particularly suitable for semi-detached or detached dwellings with hip-end roofs. It widens the side of the roof and introduces the vertical wall that stands across the ridge board of the roof maximizing space inside.
Best for: Dwellings with inclined roof frames.
Benefits: More area to space design, better organized layouts, and improves overall look of your home.
3. Mansard Loft Conversion
Tall structures that incorporate a nearly vertical wall wall. These are usually constructed to the rear of the premises but they are also common in the city.
Best for: Victorian houses, terraced houses.
Benefits: Space maximized, interior design optimised takes up space, adds a lot of worth.
4. Roof Light (Velux) Loft Conversion
Again, essentially creating a roof light conversion is where large windows ‘Velux’ are fixed into the existing roof without altering the shape of the roof. It is the cheapest and least invasive of all conversion types.
Best for: Places with a good amount of loft and enough surrounding height.
Advantages: Cheap, fast building, plenty of sun rays.
What factors affect the cost of a loft conversion?
- The type of roof structure you have
- Loft size
- Conversion complexity
What type of roof structures are there?
- Trussed Roof
A trussed roof is a more modern way of making a roof. It uses smaller timbers manufactured into a truss (structural component). If you have this you will have to cut out the timber members that will be in the room. - Traditional Cut Roof
A traditional cut roof is the typical roof that gets Loft Conversion. It has a more open loft space with rafters.
Other Cost Factors
- Reinforcement of the floor
- Insulation as the loft will now be a habitable room
- Electrics and heating
- Large windows/skylights with blinds and automated controls
- Adding a staircase
- Do you need to move the water tank?
- Are you having an ensuite installed? This will add further complexity of plumbing
- Do you want air conditioning installed? This is also becoming more popular these days, with typical costs of £2,000-£3,000 for a loft conversion.
The best roof type for the loft extension is a gabled roof (2 sides slope) rather than a hipped roof (all 4 sides slope). Always remember, you may lose a bit of space on the floor below when installing the staircase.
What types of loft conversion are there & how much do they cost?
Room Loft Conversion
A room loft conversion is where you board out the loft and add a staircase. Maybe add a few skylight windows in the slope of the roof. You would require a good sized loft with good head height.
Prices start from £15,000
Dormer Loft Extension
A dormer loft extension is where a big box is typically added to the rear of the roof. This gives lots more space. Typically created via permitted development.
Prices start from £20,000 or from £35,000 with the inclusion of an en suite
‘Raising the Roof’ or Changing the Roof Structure
If the head height is not enough, altering the roof can be achieved via planning permission but can be difficult. The planners may suggest it will be incongruous to the original house as it may look different to the adjacent housing. Where it maybe possible is when houses are on a sloping street and ridge heights are not related to each other. Can be costly as it required a new roof.
Prices start from £40,000
Hip to Gable Roof Extension
A hipped roof is when all four sides of the roof slope in towards the middle. The loft space is not very good. A gabled roof is like a roof of a terraced house – two sides of the roof slope and the other two sides have a wall which go all the way up to the ridge (top of the roof). The gable roof is good for loft conversion extensions.
There is a permitted development where you can do a hip to gable extension – usually on a semi detached property. Councils do not like this type of development as it will unbalance a semi detached pair but if done correctly at permitted development, the council can not stop it.
Prices start from £25,000
Inside this easy to read free guide, discover the things you need to consider before converting your loft.
Do I need building regulations for a loft conversion?
All extension work requires building regulations approval and you may need building regulations approval for many alteration projects.
However, you do not need to get approval yourself if you use someone registered with a competent person scheme.
Do I need insurance for a loft conversion?
If you are carrying out loft conversion/extension works you should arrange specialist insurance to cover the new works and the existing structure as most home insurers won’t cover works if contracts exceed £50,000.
It is important to sort insurance in good time as most insurers will not insure when works have already started. GPS Insurance Brokers can provide specialist insurance cover for conversion/extension works and the insurance will last for the duration of the building project. Insurance should be arranged as soon as you know works will commence.
You should also inform your home insurer as an extra room could result in a higher buildings insurance premium. Failing to inform your insurer of any changes to your property could invalidate your home insurance policy for loft conversion.
For expert advise on this and any other insurance exposures, please contact Gary Philip at GPS Insurance Brokers on 020 8207 7385. GPS Insurance
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