Loft conversions are one of the most popular forms of home improvement projects around, and with good reason. Not old are they an effective way to create additional space in your home, repurposing a part of the house that is often left to contain nothing more than Christmas decorations or memorabilia can even add value to your home!
Converting your loft can radically transform your home, opening up the space to all kinds of purposes, so here’s everything you need to know about loft conversions and why you should consider one for your home.
Why should I get a loft conversion?
The first question you should ask yourself is ‘what do I currently use my loft for?’.
If your answer is simply keeping odd bits and boxes of things you no longer use, then converting the attic is an obvious way to repurpose that space and create a new room for your home.
Having another room that can be a bedroom, an office or a spare room is a much more effective use of the top of your house than an oversized, half-empty storage space. And if you are planning to sell your property at any point in the future, investing in a loft conversion can be a great way to add value to your home
Loft conversions are usually simple procedures from a construction point of view.
You will need to consider the following before you are fully able to begin planning for a loft conversion in your own home:
- Existing roof structure and pitch
- The need for a new staircase
- Lighting
- Electric and heating
- Gas and water (for loft conversions to bathrooms and wetrooms)
- Ventilation
- Available space, including head height
- Obstacles like chimneys, boilers or water tanks
The priority is ensuring that space for a conversion is there – and if not, you may need to raise the roof height or lower the ceiling in the room directly below your loft.
You will also require Building Regulations approval, although you won’t require planning permission as loft conversions fall under the Permitted Developments category.
If your space is suitable for a loft conversion, we help you get your loft conversion on the go. depending on which form of loft conversion you’re hoping for, we will create design plans and get to work straight away.
Generally, the cost of a loft conversion can vary depending on the size of the space and the work needed to be done to complete the conversion.
Other factors include location, purpose and size but the budget can also be influenced by the structure of the roofing or the shape of your home if a new-fitted staircase is desired, for example.
Another aspect to the price of your loft conversion is deciding just what architectural style features you choose for your home.
Loft conversions can vary in any of the following ways:
Velux/roof light conversion
The cheapest and least disruptive option, you won’t have to make any changes to the shape or pitch of the roof. For this look, the biggest changes will be the addition of skylight windows, laying down new flooring, and adding a new staircase.
Dormer conversion
This is the most popular form of loft conversion. The extension protrudes from the slope of the roof and is a suitable, cost-effective conversion for most homes with a sloping roof.
Hip-to-gable conversion
This conversion extends the sloping hip roof at the side of your property to create a vertical ‘gable’ wall and creates more space in your loft. You will only be able to have this type of conversion done within a house that is either detached or semi-detached, because of the need for a free-sloping side roof.
Mansard conversion
A mansard conversion covers the length of your property’s roof and will change your roof slope to a mostly vertical angle. This is often the most expensive form of loft conversion but the style does guarantee a great deal of extra space.
Its important to understand the costs associated with a project like this, because if you’re planning for the loft conversion to add value to your home, you will need to calculate the return on investment you will get after the build costs are factored in. On average, however, a full loft conversion will cost you anywhere from £15,000 upward. With more challenging home designs and conversions costing around £30,000 and up to £60,000.
What are the benefits of having a loft conversion?
The main reason people have loft conversions in their home is to create more space. Having a loft conversion creates another multipurpose room that can completely change the way you use your property.
For example, the new space could be used for an office, a spare room, guest bedroom, bathroom, children’s playroom, or a television room – the options are endless.
Creating new space in your loft may save you the need to move to a bigger home. Adding a loft conversion will solve your need or desire for more space – without the upheaval of a house move.
With all the inherent legal costs, failed bids and complications of transport and schooling. Instead, use a creative solution to simply maximise your current home.
With no need for planning permission – as with most indoor conversions – getting a loft conversion can be quick and hassle-free.
The average completion time for a loft conversion project is roughly between 6-8 weeks. so the process is fairly fast and straight-forward. However, this will obviously depend on the complexity of the project itself.
Another reason to consider a loft conversion is that it adds value to your property should you ever consider selling in the future.
So can a loft conversion add value to my house?
Even if your complete conversion costs around £25,000 to finish, it can add many more thousands to the value of your property.
At HOKO, we truly understand the uniqueness of each project, client and their desires. We’ll explore your ideas and turn your dreams into a reality.
Still unsure whether a loft conversion can add value to your home, or looking for a free quote for your project? Click here for an instant quote or speak to one of our expert residential architects today!
