MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LOFT CONVERSIONS, FROM PLANNING TO ESTIMATED COST
Updated: May 30, 2022
Loft conversions are the perfect way to gain extra living space without moving home or extending your property outwards, which you may not have space for. Converting your loft will give the perfect blank canvas to add the perfect additional space to your home, whether you choose to use that space as an extra bedroom, office or chill out and entertainment space.
It can seem like a big project, and you probably don’t know where to start or even if you can convert your loft. We’ve put together some of the most common questions people have when considering a loft conversion.
Why Have a Loft Conversion?
The main benefit of having a loft conversion is the extra space it will give you. If you’ve started working from home more, it can provide the perfect workspace away from distractions in the rest of the house. Maybe your family is expanding and you need extra bedrooms. Depending on the size of your loft, you can make the most amazing en-suite master bedroom.
The main reason for considering a loft conversion is that it is a lot less expensive and causes much less disruption than moving home. Once you’ve added up solicitor costs, removal vans and stamp duty tax, plus taking into account the upheaval to your family, a loft conversion is the perfect solution.
Can My Loft Be Converted?
The best way to discover if your loft can be converted is to ask an expert. That said, you can get an idea yourself reasonably easily. Grab a tape measure and measure the maximum height of the loft. Measure the total height from your ceiling joist or floor you’re standing on to the highest timber at the very top of the roof. If this is 2.2 metres or more, then it’s likely that your loft can be converted. As a general rule, if you can stand upright and reach your arms up without touching the top beam, your loft is likely to be a good candidate, but this isn’t accurate.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Convert My Loft?
Since 2008, planning permission laws for loft conversions have changed significantly in both England and Wales. The maximum extension limit still exists, meaning that 50 cubic metres are allowed for terraced properties and 70 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses. It’s always best to check with your local authority, or in most cases, your builder will be able to guide you.
If you’re considering converting your loft and have any questions or concerns, you can always contact us for expert advice or a free, fully transparent quote.
Are There Any Restrictions for Loft Conversions?
There are some restrictions with the new planning rules, according to the Government’s planning portal.
Loft and roof conversions:
Must not exceed the highest part of the existing roof (its ridgeline);
Dormer windows are not allowed to be facing a highway;
There is a maximum volume limit of 40 cubic metres for terraced houses and 50cubic metres for semi-detached and other dwellings; and
Planning permission must be sought in conservation areas.
Conditions:
Materials shall match as closely as possible or be of a similar appearance to those used on the exterior elevations of the existing house;
Other than in the case of a gable end, the rear dormer of the attic conversion shall not be less than 200mm from the edge of the original eaves;
Side windows in gable end loft conversions shall be obscure-glazed and either non-opening or have the opening sash positioned more than 1.7 metres above floor level; and
Any other alteration to the roof of a dwelling house must not protrude more than 150mm beyond the original roof plane or be higher than the highest part of the original roof.
How Much Will a Loft Conversion Cost?
Every loft conversion is different. The cost will depend on your property, the size of the loft, the materials needed to create your new space, what facilities you need, such as windows, doors and bathrooms, and final decoration costs. You can view the different types of loft conversions we offer here to help you understand it’s impossible to predict an actual cost without your builder seeing the space and working on the design with you.
Will There Be Much Disruption During a Loft Conversion?
There will be some disturbance during any building work due to the sheer amount of building work that goes into converting a loft. That said, a lot of work will be within the roof itself. We always try to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum and will treat your home with respect. We will keep everything as clean and tidy as possible and clean up each day. If we need to complete anything that may cause you a significant disruption, such as cutting off the water or electricity for a time, we’ll let you know in advance where we can so that you can plan for it.
Will A Loft Conversion at Value to My Home?
A loft conversion is considered one of the best ways to add value to your home. According to Nationwide Building Society, a loft conversion can add 20% to the value of your home. There’s no better way of adding such space and value to a property.
How Long Do Loft Conversions Take?
The speed of your loft conversion will depend on the type of conversion, fixtures and fittings and desired finish. A loft conversion can take as little as four weeks for a smaller, simpler conversion.
What Are the Different Types Of Loft Conversion?
There are three main types of loft conversion, Dorma, Mansard and Roof Light Loft Conversions. We have years of experience in this field of work meaning that we can advise you on every aspect of your loft conversion project. Take a look at some of our previous loft conversion projects.
What Is a Dormer Loft Conversion?
A dormer loft conversion is when a pitched roof is converted into a box-shaped structure, creating walls that sit at a 90-degree angle to the floor. This helps increase the space and value of your home.
A dormer loft conversion is an extension structure built to protrude from the existing sloping roof to create more usable space with additional headroom. A cramped loft can become a much larger, airy room with the new dormer windows providing transformative natural light.
What Is a Mansard Loft Conversion?
Mansard loft conversions are suitable for most types of properties – including mid-terraces and can be finished in a variety of ways to match your property.
They are usually built to the rear of your property and alter the structure of your sloped roof so that it has an almost straight gradient of 72 degrees. Windows are built into the new roof structure as small dormers; you can even have a Juliet balcony and the conversion is generally big enough to support multiple room configurations such as two bedrooms and a bathroom.
What Is a Roof Light Loft Conversion?
A roof light loft conversion is when you build within the existing roofline of your home. Therefore, you don’t extend the space externally at all.
Roof light loft conversions are extremely popular as they tend to cost 25% less than a dormer or mansard loft conversion. However, they will provide less extra space within your home.
Furthermore, a major limitation is finding a space for the stairs to come up. Because of head height stipulations in the Building Regulations, the stairs often have to come up in the middle of the loft, where head height is greatest. This can dictate the way the space is refurbished.
Loft Conversions North London
At Pario Construction, we genuinely care about our clients and the projects that we deliver. We take thorough steps in our pricing and always deliver a specification to ensure our clients understand what they are purchasing.
All our work comes with a ten-year structural warranty. If you’re in North London or the surrounding area and are considering a loft conversion, contact us today to receive a free transparent quote. Either get in touch online, give us a call on +44 (0)203 488 0172 or drop us an email at hello@parioconstruction.com