	Article Directory		Article Submission Service		Article Marketing Blog		Publishers		Member Log In

Article Directory :: Business - General Articles

Consider a Loft Conversion Instead of Moving House

By Robert O'Hara

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 27Feb2012
Word count: 560
Viewed: 21 time(s)

Get Free Content For Your Site

In the current economic climate with mortgages very hard to get and unpredictable movement in the housing market a loft conversion can be a better and more affordable alternative when a growing family needs to create a bit more space.

However, making it as stress free as possible requires proper planning and research so that you know what it is permitted to do and can have the confidence that the job will be done correctly and safely.

This is probably one occasion where doing the whole job yourself is not entirely wise. Good advice from the local planning authority, help from an architect and guidance on building regulations from a qualified builder are essential.

First step is to make a list of the essential features you imagine the finished room should contain and find out whether they are feasible, not only from a planning permission perspective but also complying with Building Regulations, as well as the more obvious implications of practicability and cost.

It is pointless to embark on a loft conversion that is designed to add value to a house if the cost will be so great that trying to recover the investment pushes a realistic asking price on eventual sale well above the generally accepted level for the area it is in.

Loft conversions are generally regarded by planning authorities as permitted development although there are some restrictions generally designed to ensure privacy for the neighbours and to ensure that the result does not dominate the surrounding neighbourhood.

For example, there is a maximum permitted volume that can be added and this is 40 cubic metres of additional roof space for terraced houses, including any previous development that has increased it, even if done by a previous owner and no extension can be higher than the highest point of the existing roof. There may be additional restrictions if the house is a listed building or in a conservation area.

Having established any relevant planning issues the conversion is also subject to Building Regulations. The knowledge and input of both an architect and a structural engineer are needed here. New beams will be needed in the roof and in the new floor to bear any extra floor weight and strengthen the roof because existing rafters may need to be removed. In terraced or semi-detached house you will probably require a Party Wall agreement with your neighbours where walls are shared between houses.

There are other issues to consider, the first of which is whether the loft is actually suitable for conversion and this involves issues like access and its height, particularly if it is to become a room in regular use, such as a bedroom. Again, a builder and an architect are essential advisers.

Next there needs to be some security in place in the form of insurance cover during and after the work is completed and it is worth checking with the current home insurance provider and a couple of others to assess the conversion's implications for insurance costs.

Finally, quotes will be needed from several reputable builders and there needs to be something built into the contract in case there are problems with the work later that may need to be corrected.

Architect Robert O'Hara says adding a loft conversion to a home can be more affordable than moving house and can add value provided it is carried out properly.

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here