What to consider before investing in a loft conversion?
The possibility of a loft conversion is becoming a bigger factor for more and more people; as well as the opportunities of utilising your other-wise empty space being endless! Whether you’re looking to get an extra bedroom, add an office or make space for a function room; a loft conversion can pretty much be used for anything, as well as adding value to your home. Whilst this is all well and good, there is a lot to consider before you start your loft conversion journey; here we delve into what you need to think about prior to a loft conversion and the impact of them.
You need to consider how big the space is that you are wanting to convert. A lot of factors can play a part in whether the space is suitable; such as the head room available and the overall layout you’re looking to achieve. If you’ve only got a small space to work with; you need to think about what you want to use the space for and whether it will feasibly work. Factoring in the head room/height of the loft, can also impact your design and the whole process. It’s advised to always check with Building Regulations and local planning authorities before any work begins.
When adding a loft conversion, you are changing the structure of your home. A new storey to your home can become an added fire risk; and certain factors need to be thought about in order to preserve your safety. For example, ensuring windows are big enough to escape from and a door is installed to block the conversion off from the rest of the house; allows you both piece of mind and a loft conversion that is safe from fire. Also, thinking about fire alarms and ventilation is important in the planning process; something your project manager can liaise with you on.
A final key factor in planning for a loft conversion, is how practical it is for you and your home. Here at Another Storey, we provide four different types of conversions; all of which have their own benefits and will be suitable in their own way to your home. Each option is unique in their design, but not all will be practical for your building.
For example, placement and design of windows will be unique to each home; depending on what you are wanting and what is possible can impact the practicality of window placement and natural light that you will get in. Additionally, positioning of stairs and access to your new conversion all depends on your home; you want access to the loft to be practical and this again is a big factor to consider. However, our expert project managers will guide you through the process and provide the best option for you!
Benefits of a loft conversion
Whilst investing in a loft conversion can be time consuming, it comes with a whole host of benefits for your home and its occupants. When you think about the extra space it can give you, it’s a worthy investment to consider – just like upgrading any part of your home, there can be downsides to it, but the benefits always outweigh them!
A loft conversion is a great way to utilise space that originally wasn’t being used; it allows for you to take advantage of all the space your home has to offer, by adding an extra room. You can extend your home, but by using the space it already has; rather than taking away outside space to create an extension – saving both time and money!
Additionally, upgrading your loft can allow for value to be added to your home; in some cases, recent studies have found it can increase your house price by up to 20%! This can allow you the best of both worlds, by not only having more room in your home, but by knowing further down the line, your investment will benefit you money-wise.
As well as getting that well needed extra space and adding value to your home, a loft conversion will rarely require you to get planning permission. This can be a huge factor in swaying someone to not get a loft conversion – due to the money it can cost and stress it can cause. However, as most lofts are small and don’t exceed certain sizing requirements, this can completely eradicate the planning permission stage! That being said, we always advise that this should be double checked before starting the process as it ensures there are no unexpected surprises once you get started on your project.
Want to know more?
Our dedicated team are here to help, if you’re looking to get started with a loft conversion to your home, we offer a free quote when you get in touch with us! Our services are available in much of Lancashire and the North west, including: Birkdale, Blackpool, Buckshaw Village, Fulwood, Garstang, Leyland, Lytham, Penwortham, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Preston, Southport, St Annes and surrounding areas.
