Is a Loft Conversion for me?
Discover why a loft conversion might be the right choice for you and your home.
There’s a lot to consider before opting for a loft conversion, and not just if you have the budget or the loft space to make this a feasible option for you.
But is a loft conversion the right choice for you and your home?
The answer depends on a number of factors and your personal circumstances. However, whether you are looking for more space to add extra bedrooms or a home office, a loft conversion is undoubtedly the most cost-effective solution to add more space and value to your property. Below, we’ll be looking at the most common reasons and circumstances that make getting a loft conversion the best choice for you.
You are a growing family
A growing family is probably the single biggest reason for needing more space. You might have a new baby on the way, or your children are now old enough to need their own rooms. You could even be looking to accommodate an elderly parent or relative. Life doesn’t stand still, and it’s just a fact of nature that as your family grows, the demand for extra living space increases.
One solution to your growing pains can be to go through the joys (and considerable stress) of moving to a larger home, but there might be factors that make this difficult. Issues such as cost, time off work, extra commuting time, disrupting your children’s education and stability by changing schools and so on, can all make moving home less appealing.
By comparison, a loft conversion allows you to stay in your existing property and maintain the status quo without having to compromise on the amount of living space you have. In addition, you’ll generally find that the costs associated with a loft conversion are less than the cost of buying a bigger house where you currently live; making this an extremely affordable way to accommodate your growing family’s needs.
You need a home office
Some of us have experienced the potential of working from home. All you need is a laptop, a decent broadband connection and knowing to mute/unmute during video calls! But maybe you’re sick of working at your kitchen table, hunched over your laptop on the sofa, or sitting at a desk in your bedroom. Creating a home office out of your existing space becomes possible when you start thinking about a loft conversion.
Think about it. A loft conversion can deliver a dedicated, quiet, out of the way place where you can concentrate undisturbed by homelife. With no through-traffic, it’s the ultimate get-away location if you need privacy.
What’s more, creating a dedicated home office space frees up your bedroom to be a bedroom again, your kitchen can go back to being a kitchen, and you can rest easy in the knowledge that all your work files and equipment are safely stored and organised in a bespoke space that has been designed to meet your individual home office needs.
You’d like to increase the equity in your home
House prices in South London aren’t going anywhere but up. With this in mind, even if you don’t currently need the extra space, a loft conversion can add significant value to your home.
From an investment point of view, adding an additional room (or multiple rooms) can pay dividends if you want to release equity in your home without moving or boost your re-sale value if you decide to move in future. For rental properties, that additional room can also mean extra income potential.
Of course, there may be other reasons why you want a loft conversion – a games room, playroom or cinema room can all become a reality when you unlock the potential of your unused loft space.
Is a loft conversion right for my home?
This is a really important question, and it’s well worth booking that free consultation with us (or getting any other professional in) before making any firm decisions. Below are some of the key considerations you need to think about:
Head Height
The regulation minimum head height required between finished floor and the finished ceiling is 2 meters.
It’s worth bearing in mind that construction work will reduce your existing head space by approximately 30cm, so if you have well in excess of 2 ½ meters head room, you know your loft space is highly likely to be suitable.
That said, even if your existing head height is lower than this requirement – don’t worry! There are ways of gaining head height, and we can help you figure out what your options are.
Planning permission
Planning permission can be a lengthy and costly process. While the vast majority of loft conversions fall under permitted development (meaning planning permission is not required), there are instances where this is necessary.
Certain situations, such as the need to raise the roof height, living in a flat or the property being situated in a conservation area, are just a few examples of when planning permission is likely to be required before starting your project.
Type of loft conversion
In the event that no restrictions apply to your property, then the style of loft conversion falls to your personal taste and what kind of space you want. You can check out our guide on the various types of loft conversions to help you get an idea of what’s available, and we can discuss this in more detail at an initial site visit.
If you want to find out more, you can check out our FAQs, or you can book your free consultation and see if a loft conversion is right for you and your home.