Need more space? A loft conversion not only gives you more space but can also increase the size and value of your property, provided the conversion is carried out by a professional and meets all the building regulations. If it’s not done right, it can be a drain on your finances and can be a major disturbance in your home. Before you go ahead and convert your loft, use our useful guide to help you understand what’s involved.

Use a professional

Hiring a qualified loft conversion company may sound expensive. But if you consider the cost of substandard work, non-compliance with building regulations and putting your home insurance at risk, using a professional isn’t as costly as you might think. Professionals know what they’re doing and can take care of the whole project for you from design and planning permission to building and site clearance. If you’re worried about their level of expertise, ask for references and check them out. Most reputable companies provide reference sites for new clients to observe the quality of their work.

·         Always get a written agreement from the loft conversion company detailing the cost and how long the work will take to complete. You can also ask for ‘snagging’ intervals to be written into the agreement. This pinpoints dates that certain stages of work must be completed by and lays out working codes of conduct.

·         To keep your costs down, some loft conversion companies will give you the option of a ‘shell’ conversion. This allows you to do the less specialised building work on the conversion, saving you money.

As with any purchase, it pays to shop around. So, don’t accept the first quote you get. Approach a number of loft conversion companies and compare the quotes before you make your final decision.

Stick to your budget

A loft conversion in your home is a nice thought but you need to consider the cost before you do anything. A loft conversion can cost up to 1/3 of the cost of moving to a new house with an extra room.  Loft conversions can cost from £318, 000 to £360, 000 and more. You also need to budget for decorating your new loft. Plus from a cost and practicality viewpoint, you will also need to consider:

·         Structural stability

·         Fire safety

·         Sound insulation

·         Heating and ventilation

·         Sanitary/drainage if you are building a bathroom in the loft

·         Boiler: does it need to be moved or upgraded?

·         Stairs: do they need to be extended or do you need to install new stairs?

Types of Loft Conversions

There are three main types of loft conversions:

·         Velux™: converts your existing loft area using roof lights. Roof lights are windows that slope with the angle of the roof.

·         Dormer: extends your roof and includes the installation of new windows

·         Mansard: creates a new space with a new roof

DIY Checklist

Before you call in the experts, you will need to check that your home meets the requirements for a loft conversion.

·         There must be a maximum height of approximately 2.3 metres between the ceiling boards below and the roof apex.

·         Is there space to install stairs?

·         Some roofs are easier to convert than others. A steeply sloping ‘rafter and purlin’ roof built before 1965 is easier to convert that a modern trussed rafter roof built after 1965. Modern trussed rafter roofs have a shallower pitch and can mean more structural work, which in turn means more money. You can identify a modern trussed rafter roof by the rectangular metal plates used to join the timber.

If you’re still not sure if your loft can be converted, most loft conversions companies offer a free feasibility study.

Get the advice of an Architect

You will need the services of an architect even if you are planning to do the loft conversion yourself. Architects are qualified to calculate whether the loft floor is capable of withstanding the new weight of the conversion and they ensure fire regulations are complied with at every point of construction.

Building Regulations

If you are going to use your loft conversion as living space, you must get approval from your local authority before you start work. If you use a loft conversion company, they will take care of all the details involved in getting building approval for you. If you choose to do the conversion yourself, here are some useful tips to guide you.

·         Planning permission is necessary if the size of the building increases by more than 15%; the exterior of the building is altered or if you live in a conservation area or listed building.

·         Architectural drawings must be submitted and approved by your local council before you start work. This process can take up to 3 months.

·         Building and fire regulation plans must be submitted to the Local Authority Building Control department for approval. This process can take between 4 - 6 weeks.

·         If your loft conversion affects your neighbours, you will need a Party Wall Agreement.

·         Skips and scaffolding also require relevant paperwork.

Once you have received approval from your local authority, you can start work on your loft conversion. You should expect the work to take 1 to 2 months to complete.

Home insurance

Don’t forget to up date your home insurance once you’ve completed your new loft conversion. For more information on the types of home insurance available from Direct Line, visit http://www.directline.com.