As our
cities become increasingly populated, it’s likely that many of us would jump at
the chance for some extra living space. If you’re lucky enough to own a
property, then you may have considered adding an extension, conservatory, or
converting the loft or basement.
A loft
conversion is one excellent way to add more space to your home and a newly
converted loft has many uses, from an extra bedroom, to a home office, a games
room or even a gym. However, as you might expect, converting a loft can be a
complicated task and there’s a lot of aspects to take into consideration. From
organising the practical building work and safety measures, to legal
considerations, it’s important to be prepared before you get started.
If you want
to know more about what it takes to convert a loft, and the rules surrounding
planning permission and other legal matters, read on for our handy guide.
What is required to convert a loft?
There’s a
lot to think about before you begin the building work of a loft conversion.
You’ll need to assess your existing roof structure, how and where you’ll place
the stairs to access the loft and whether to add windows or skylights.
You’ll also
need to work out how to heat, light and ventilate the space and make sure that
there’s enough head room to convert your loft in the first place.
Can my loft be converted?
Many houses
come with an existing allowance for permitted development which means you won’t
need planning permission (more on this later). However, you’ll need to make
sure the roof space is tall enough to support a conversion, but a builder,
architect or surveyor can come and assess this for you if you’re not sure.
The minimum
height needed for a loft conversion is 2.2 metres and you can easily measure
this yourself by running a tape measure from floor to ceiling in the tallest
part of the room. The type of roof you have can also affect the building work
and the cost of a loft conversion; a loft with trusses instead of rafters will
require extra structural support which makes it more costly.
You’ll also
need to consider how much space you have on the floor below - is there room for
a staircase? Where will you put it to cause the least disruption?
Do I need planning permission?
As
mentioned, most loft conversions are already covered by permitted development
rights which means planning permission isn’t required. However, if your
property is listed or located in a conservation area then it’s likely that you
will need planning permission to convert your loft. This can also apply if you
have an awkwardly shaped property or roof that’s particularly difficult to
convert, or if you’re altering the roof shape or height.
You can find
out more about whether you need planning permission with the Which? Guide here,
and we’ll discuss other legal and
building regulations that might affect your conversion further on.
Can I convert a loft myself?
While it is
possible to do a DIY loft conversion, it can be a very complicated process and
it isn’t recommended that you do it yourself. Even if you do have professional
building experience, there is a lot of work involved and it’s often far less
stressful to spend the extra money hiring a professional loft conversion
company or building contractor to take on the task.
Types of loft conversion
There are
actually four different types of loft conversion and the most suitable type
will depend on the shape and age of your home, as well as your budget. We will
look at the four main types of conversion in more detail below.
Dormer conversions
This type of
conversion uses an extension that protrudes from the slope of a roof and it’s
suitable for almost all sloped roof houses. This is a very popular type of
conversion and it tends to be more affordable than some other methods.
Roof light conversions
This is the
cheapest and simplest type of loft conversion and simply involves adding some
skylights, laying down a floor and adding a staircase. However, it isn’t
immediately suitable for all lofts as it relies on having enough existing space
in your roof.
Mansard conversions
This is more
of an extension than a loft conversion and it runs the full length of a house’s
roof, altering the angle of the roof slope. This type of conversion is
expensive, but it gives a significant increase in space and is suitable for
most property types.
Hip-to gable conversions
This
conversion adds extra space by extending the ‘hip’ roof at the side of a
property outwards to create a vertical gable wall; therefore creating more
space inside the loft. It’s only suitable for detached or semi-detached
properties but can result in a much bigger internal space.
Other legal and building considerations
You may not
need planning permission to convert your loft, but there are several other
legal and building regulations to consider, such as third party walls, sound
insulation and fire safety regulations. We will discuss each one in more detail
below.
Third party walls
If you’re
planning building work that affects a shared wall joining your property to your
neighbours, then you’ll need to have a third party wall agreement. This is an
agreement which is drawn up to ensure the work being carried out is reasonable
for both parties and that it won’t be too disruptive to your neighbour’s
property.
You’ll need
to give a Party Wall Notice to any neighbours connected to your property; this
should detail your proposed work and a copy of the building plan. In some
cases, you or your neighbours may wish to get a third party to carry out an independent party wall survey
before the work goes ahead.
Fire safety
You’ll need
to install a fire-resistant door at the entrance to your new loft room, or at
the bottom of the stairs if you prefer. Any stairs you add will also need to be
accessible and clear at all times in the event of a fire (i.e not a retractable
staircase or a ladder). You’ll also need to add smoke alarms to your new room,
or you might want to think about upgrading your alarm system for the whole
house.
Sound insulation
Proper
insulation is key for a loft conversion, to contain noise both within the house
and for the neighbours. The most straightforward method uses foam insulation to
fill the space between the rafters, but you can also add extra insulation under
the floor or in the walls if needed.
Protected species
Bats are a
protected species, so if you suspect that bats might be living in your loft
then you’ll need to arrange a bat survey. If the animals have chosen to roost
in your roof then you might need a mitigation order to be able to carry out the
loft conversion.
If you’re
thinking about converting your loft and need some professional help and advice,
or a party wall surveyor, get in touch with the team at Simon Levy. Our expert
chartered building surveyors offer a wide range of services, including third
party wall surveys, full building and structural surveys, insurance claims,
planning permission advice and more. Our team can carry out an independent
survey to assess whether your property is suitable for loft conversion, as well
as advise you on the next steps going forward. For more information about any
of our building services, give us a call today or find out more on our website.
