Have you got more children than bedrooms?
Do you desperately need a home office, study, music room, or nursery?
One solution is to add to the space you already have. This will save you the hassle and expense of moving, and should increase the value of your property.
You could adapt the loft or basement, or you could add an extra room or two by building an extension. In practice, however, much will depend on the house and garden space that already exists, how much extra room you need and what you want to use it for. And, of course,on your budget. Statistics show that an average loft conversion costs approximately one-third of the cost of moving to a property with an extra room.
A converted loft will increase the value of your house though. Depending on what options you go for, and because every house is different, the cost of converting a loft can vary considerably. We will agree cost's at the consultation stage.
It can be worth spending a bigger proportion on an extension or loft conversion, however, as well-planned ones can boost values by 25 per cent.
If the building is listed or situated in a conservation area listed building consent and planning permission may be required.
If other properties in your street have had loft conversions then you will have no problem going ahead with works.
Houses not listed or located in a conservation area can be extended up to a particular volumetric limit without planning permission being required. However, if a dormer is or dormers are being formed whose volume, once the volume of any previous extensions to the property is added, is likely to exceed that permitted, planning permission is required. We will seek permission in this case. If a hip ended roof is to be changed to a gable end roof, planning permission may be required for the loft conversion.
If the proposed works affect a party wall, e.g. beams to bear onto the party wall, the owners or leaseholders of adjoining properties must be informed. The relevant legislation is the Party Wall etc Act 1996. click here for govt booklet and regulations.
There are of course many building regulations to comply with, our architect will see that all criteria is met, plus all health and safety issues.
