Loft Conversion

Sometimes, when we need more space for our family or when we want some space for ourselves, homeowners consider a terraced house loft conversion.

According to the ONS UK housing report, there are more than 30% terraced houses in the country. Most of such houses are situated in areas, where people want to live.

As we mentioned earlier that most of these houses are in areas liked by people. Hence, moving house is not a good idea especially, when you have a loft for extra living space that you want.

Furthermore, many of the older UK homes have sufficient attic space which is suitable for conversion. But keep in mind that not all the attics are the same. So, it is better to let a professional assess the potential for conversion.

There are the following criteria for terraced house loft conversion:

• The head height in the loft should be greater than 2.3m.
• You also need to have enough space for the staircase.
• As you have a terraced house, you will also need a party wall agreement from your neighbours.
• You may need to remove existing fittings in the loft as they may limit design options.

Once, you have addressed the above-mentioned issues, you can move forward to the planning. First, you need to decide what you want to do with the loft. I mean whether you want a simple bedroom or do you want a bathroom too.

Once you have decided what you want to do with this extra space, it’s time to hire an architectural services provider.

Terraced House Velux Loft ConversionVelux

A Velux loft conversion includes all the basic things that you need in the loft and a Velux window. It is the most cost-effective conversion and does not involve any changes to the roof structure. You can also install roof light into the loft. A simple loft conversion does not require lots of construction work.

If the existing loft provides enough head height, then we will recommend you to go for a simple conversion.

Dormer Conversion

A dormer loft conversion is another option for your terraced house to increase living space. If you have less headroom then we will recommend this conversion to add more height which is enough to create a bedroom. You can also convert it into a home gym or games room.

This type does not require much construction work and planning. Furthermore, it does not require planning permission. However, if the design requires some major changes then you need a planning application. It also requires less money and time as the planning process is not required.

Mansard Conversion

Unlike other types, mansard loft conversion adds a full extension to the roof space. Hence, it requires a lot of construction work and planning permission. Roof work is an essential part of this conversion, so more construction work is involved in the project. Extra work means that you also need to account the additional cost associated with it. Though it is an expensive conversion, in return, it provides much large living space for your family.

In short, a terraced house loft conversion is a great option to avoid moving house for extra space. Furthermore, it adds value to your property.

Are you looking for Loft Conversion Planner and have some cash to spare? If yes! Then you should consider adding more room to your home and add value to your property.

Need more space in your home? Then a loft conversion is the best way. There are lots of reasons to extend or convert a loft. You may need more room for your growing family or just want a home office. There is no doubt that the loft has the largest unusable space in your home. Another reason to consider this option is that it is less stressful and cost-effective than moving house.

At Pro Arkitects, we always recommend loft conversion over basement conversion. Not only because it costs way less but also takes less time to complete. On the other hand, converting a basement involves structural changes such as underpinning and excavating the foundations.

Loft conversion Planners: Is space Suitable for Conversion?

First of all, you need to make sure that you have enough head height in the loft. You need at least 220cm or you can say 2.3m head height. This space is required to make it a comfortable living room or bedroom for your family. For the sloped area, you can consider adding a bathroom.

Permitted Development Rights

Majority of the loft conversions fall under “permitted development”. In other words, you do not need to go through the process of planning permission. It is a great advantage as this process can tricky and longer. However, if you are living in conservation areas or listed buildings, then you do not need to go through this process no matter what type of conversion is it. In case of listed buildings, you need a Listed Building Consent from the local authorities.

Whether you need planning permission or not, you still need building regulations approval or party wall agreement with your neighbours.

Loft Conversion Planner: Building Regulations

Loft Space Access

According to building regulations, if you want to convert your loft; you need to have a permanent staircase. Furthermore, the steps should not be as wide as the steps on the lower flights. There are lots of attractive solutions such as a fixed ladder and a spiral staircase.

Insulating the Loft

Insulating the loft is also necessary because the space is subject to extreme temperatures. The bedroom is a loft get very hot in summer and very chilly in winter. That is why; it is essential to insulate the walls and roof of the loft. There are lots of options when it comes to insulating a living space.

Fire Safety

One of the things that you should keep in mind from the start is fire regulations. The material you are going to use should comply with standards of fire resistance. Furthermore, you need to install a smoke detector in the hallway. If the head height is more than 7.5 metres, then a sprinkler system should be installed in the building. Furthermore, if you have more than seven rooms in the conversion, then you must have an emergency exit to the roof.

There is everything that you need to know about loft conversion price 2021. Furthermore, we will talk about how to plan and budget your project.

Is moving home is not an option but you still want more living space. Then converting the loft is an affordable option for you. One of the best things about it is that it does not require planning permission. Furthermore, you do not need to sacrifice the garden area in the home for more living space.

In this article, we will discuss the loft conversion price in 2021.

Loft conversion cost depends on various factors such as material cost, labour cost, the structure of the roof, and staircase access. Generally converting a loft costs anywhere around £40,000.

Let’s break down the cost depending on the type of the loft:

If you want a simple room inside your home then you need to factor in the cost of insulation, floor reinforcement, electrics, lighting, fire safety, and heating. A basic room conversion costs around £1,150 to £1,350 per square metre.

Dormer loft conversion cost includes all of the above-mentioned things plus a dormer window. It is one of the best options to consider when you want more floor space and head height. This type of conversion will cost you around £1,250 to £1,500 per square meter. Keep in mind that it can cost more depending on the cost of labour in your area and finishes.

You can also consider ready-made loft extensions. They are manufactured off-site and then placed into position with a crane. However, this requires enough room for the crane and you also need to notify the neighbours before placing it. You can expect to pay around £55,000 for it.

Addition Loft Conversion price in 2021

If you are going to work with a design & build company, then these all additional costs will be mentioned in the quote. But in case, you have hired a designer for the job then expect to pay three to seven per cent of the construction cost. A rough estimate is around £2,700 to £4,000 for the planning drawings. The cost of construction drawings is similar. You may also need to hire a structural engineer which will charge you £500 to £1,000.

Sometimes, the homeowner requires the designer to manage the project from start to finish. You can manage yourself and eliminate the expense but it is better to have a professional alongside. In such cases, the project manager will charge three to seven per cent of the build cost. You can also set an hourly rate for the job.

Planning for Loft Conversion

Most of the properties suitable for the conversion as long as they have a head height of 2.3m. There are other features too that helps in choosing which type of conversion is best for you.

If your loft does not have enough head height then there are two options. You can remove the roof and rebuild the entire roof, or you can increase head height by lowering the ceiling. Both f these options requires professional input and will affect your budget.

Keep in mind that a simple loft conversion project can take up to six weeks to complete. You can still stay in your house during work as it does not affect the existing house. However, if your project requires removing of the existing roof or ceiling then it can take up to 10 weeks to complete.

Just like any other conversion, Velux Loft conversion increases space in your home.

The question is what makes this conversion so popular compared to others? Well, the main reason is the ease of construction and low cost.

The engineers at Pro Arkitects have years of experience with conversions and they want to share their expertise and knowledge with our readers. That is why; we are writing blogs to help our audience make a decision that helps them increase space within the budget. Information is the key to any successful conversion or extension. Furthermore, to help you make an informed decision on which loft conversion is best for your home.

In this guide, we will try to share everything from our experience to help you know things about Velux Loft Conversion.

Velux Loft Conversion

The name Velux is after a famous brand of loft windows. It also implies that this loft conversion done by installing Velux windows.

For converting a loft, the head height of the loft must be sufficient enough. So, a person can stand under the roof without banging its head. Furthermore, if your loft has a hipped roof, then a hip-to-gable loft conversion is the best choice. The reason is that this conversion helps in increasing the space in the loft.

If Velux loft conversion is what you are looking for, then you should call our team of structural engineers to arrange a site visit. Our qualified engineers will assess the space in the lift and other things to provide you with an accurate quote for the work required.

Cost of Velux Loft Conversion

Various things affect the cost of conversion such as;

• Number of windows required
• Type of the Windows
• Size of the window
• Head height and space of your loft

When we compare this conversion with other loft conversions such as mansard loft conversion; It is the most cost-effective. You also need to keep in mind that you are not wasting your money. Instead, it is an investment in the property. Just like any other extension or conversion, it adds value to your property. If you have plans to sell the property in the future, you will get higher offers thanks to the extra space you have in the house.

How It Can Transform Your Home

Compared to other loft conversions, Velux requires less construction and hence low cost. The main addition in the loft will be the Velux windows to transform the space. Many of our clients have used this extra space for:

• Bedroom
• Home Office
• Living Room
• Bathroom
• Entertainment Room

You see, there are lots of possibilities to transform this unlivable place into something useful for the whole family. Furthermore, the windows in the loft will allow for more natural light and ventilation. If you are living in a warm area, then you can use glass that prevents sunlight from entering.

Planning Permission

In most of the cases, you do not need to apply for planning permission. Other loft conversions required significant changes to the roof but, Velux loft conversion does not need these alterations. You can do the construction under permitted development unless your house is in a heritage or conservation site.

We all want to convert extra space in our home into something usable. There is no doubt that loft in a house eats up lots of space. What if you need bungalow loft conversion to make this space livable for your family?

Cravings for more living space in the house leads us to loft conversion ideas. Why you should not want more space when you can!

Most of the bungalow owners in the UK choose to convert the loft. The reason is that it is rather an easy and cheap home improvement project. It does not mean that it is too much easy but compared to other it is. Furthermore, you are going to need the help of an expert architectural service provider.

So, what you need for a bungalow loft conversion? Do you need planning permission? What is the cost of the project? We will discuss all of these questions in details.

Planning Permission for Bungalow Loft Conversion

Normally, you do not need planning permission for a simple bungalow loft conversion. However, in some cases, you do need it if:

• The area is more than 50 square meters.
• The window in the loft is placed above the floor.
• Furthermore, the dormer is out of the plane. It should be placed within 20-centimeter square of the eaves.
• If your building is listed or your house exists in a conservation area.

In the conditions mentioned above, you need to get planning permission. Hence, it is best to consult with the local authority before you start the conversion. Whether you need to apply for planning application or not, you still need the building regulations certificate for the conversion.

Planning

A bungalow loft conversion is a lengthy process and hence it is important to do proper planning. So, you can avoid any unnecessary delays during construction. For this, we will recommend you to hire an expert for the job. You need someone who has experience with such conversions and know all the requirements in your area. There are some rules and regulations and an expert can help you with the planning.

Cost of Bungalow Loft Conversion

The loft conversion cost depends on various factors such as design and area. The kind of design you choose determines the cost of the conversion. If you go with a simple design then you can expect the cost anywhere between £10,000 to £15,000.

On the other hand, if you choose to go with an advanced and complicated design then the cost can be double or triple. However, there are some ways in which you can cover the cost of a loft conversion within your budget.

Final Words

Well, as you can see that there lots of rules and regulations for any conversion or house extension. That is why; the help of an expert in the field is a must so you can avoid any delays during the work. Furthermore, they can help you by providing with designs that suit your requirements and budget. So, anytime you want a bungalow loft conversion, do not hesitate to call for help.