Loft Conversion – An easy guide to planning your project

Posted on 4th October 2021 at 11:59

Planning a loft conversion? Here is our quick check list for a successful loft conversion. 

A loft conversion is now one of the most common ways to add space into your home, with minimum impact on your living accommodation while the work is being carried out. 

Our Easy Guide to getting a loft coversion in your home. 

1. Can it be done? Check with neighbours in your road – has anyone done it before? Maybe ask your neighbour if you can look at how they used the additional space. 

2. Things to consider in these early stages: What is the structure of the roof, if it’s a trussed roof you will need to get additional support and that can add cost to the project. Often older homes have rafters, which is what you need. 

3. Measure the space from the floor to the ceiling, you will need a minimum of 2.2metres head room. 

4. Check of you need planning permission, most loft conversions don’t and can be carried out under permitted development, but you will need to have a Building Control inspection to ensure you and keeping to Building Regulations, make sure you factor this into your budget. Here is a good place to start with the Planning Portal

5. Other things you will need to consider; Getting a party wall agreement, work with your next-door neighbours right at the beginning of the project, get them on board, it will make the project much easier when the builders come on site. 

We would recommend you have you home valued by a local estate agent first to get a before and after valuation. This will help you when you start to look at your budget. 

6. Put together a draft budget. This will need to include for a basic loft conversion: Velux windows, electrics: heating & lighting, you might need to reinforce the floors, plastering, insulation and any fire safety measures that should be included. Remember to add in any furnishings, flooring, and decorations. Also plumbing, if you are going to add in a shower/bathroom and toilet. 

7. Planning access into the new loft space is essential and getting an architect involved can help in the planning and budget stage:  

Where will you position the new stairs from the floor below to minimize loss of space on that floor, and how you bring the stairs into the new loft conversion to reduce impact on the new living space? 

8. Choosing a competent builder will help you with all aspects of the Loft conversion – read up on the recommendations from the Federation of Master Builders here.

How else can I use the new space : Create a home office. 

Home working has become the new normal for many businesses and a loft conversion can be the ideal space in your home for a home office without impacting on your current living accomodation. 

The conversion can be as basic as a Velux Loft conversion but can create the ideal environment to help you focus while working.