What you need to know about loft conversions

If your family is outgrowing your home or you simply want extra rooms, you don't need to go to the trouble of moving. A loft conversion allows you to add space without having to move and will probably add extra value to your property. In every sense, it's an investment that can pay big dividends.

There are many millions of homes in the UK which could have a loft conversion, often with minimal structural alterations. What's more, converting a loft is usually the cheapest way of adding floor space to the home: the basic structure is already in place and the work involved is surprisingly simple and straightforward.

Converted floor space can be extremely versatile. You can use it for extra bedrooms with shower or bathroom, a hobby or for more specialist requirements such as a home office or self contained flat with kitchen and bathroom.

On of the tricks in getting a loft conversion right is to use the windows well. Long gone are the days of dingy lofts and tiny cast iron skylights. Today Velux roof windows not only look good but they quite literally transform a home's internal environment, by breathing light and life into previously 'dead' areas to create stylish, vibrant living space. While Velux roof window always look good on their own, they look even better when combined together. Limitless possibilities are now available together with more specialised options such as the "cabrio-balcony".

There are some special rules which apply to certain kind of property's but the basic rule to determine whether or not you require Planning Permission is how much cubic content you have left on your property. This is called "Permitted Development." Terraced (including end of terrace) have 50 cubic meters and semi and detached houses has 70 cubic meters to build. If you have already had some form of extension added to your property since it was first built, then we have to add the cubic content of your extension together with your dormer conversion. If this figure is over your allowance then Planning Permission will be required which is never a guarantee.

In some areas of the country Permitted Development rights are more restricted or even taken away if you live in a conservation area, a national park, an area of outstanding beauty or listed buildings.

While converting a loft may not require Planning Permission, all work needs to comply with Building Regulations. If you do not take proper cause of action this may jeopodise the sale of your property if in the event you decide to sell. Once all building works have been completed, the local authority will then issue you with a completion certificate. This is proof along with your approval documents that the loft conversion complied with Building Regulations and is structurally sound. It will also automatically be registered with Land Registry. This information will show when the necessary searches are done when selling your property.

Have a look around our site and see for yourself the kind of loft conversions we have done and what you could look forward to having in a very short time. Why not check out the photographs and customer testimonial pages now?