Things to Consider When Converting Your Loft5927724
There are so many various things to think about when it comes to loft/attic conversions. It is a fairly significant undertaking so the first thing to think about is precisely how much upheaval such a development will cause. Is the loft hatch is situated in a bedroom? If so you will most likely need to make alternative sleeping arrangements during the building function, and you might also need to move or cover clothing and furniture located in the bedroom as they are likely to get covered in dust and debris.
Access to the loft
Depending what the newly converted loft will be used for, you might also require to look at relocating the loft entrance. If the new conversion is to be used for common storage purposes then access via a bedroom might be OK but if the loft is being converted into extra living space or a bedroom, the access will need further planning, and in some instances the building of an additional static staircase.
DIY or Builders
The subsequent consideration is whether to take on the project your self, whether or not you should enlist the assist of professional builders or loft converters, or whether or not you do a mixture of the two. In my opinion it's always advisable to hire professional builders for any sizeable home improvement project regardless of how handy you are. The primary justification of this is that any structural damage caused by your DIY efforts will price as a lot or much more to put correct than it would've price to hire professionals to do the job in the first place. The primary factor in any loft conversion is to make sure that measures are taken to allow current floor to take increased load. This is exactly where builders expertise comes in handy. Once this and any other structural function has been carried out, the majority of the rest of the work is cosmetic and can be done by you eg. Insulation, decoration and so on.
Planning Permission
The need for planning approval and permissions varies for council to council so make sure you know exactly what is needed of you before you proceed with your loft conversion. If your home is a listed building you will nearly definitely require planning approval but some newer homes will not need any sort of planning permission at all. Certain regulations may also apply to the fitting of a skylight to an current roof so, once more, make certain you know what is needed.
Supplies
There is a massive variety of supplies available for loft conversions, and you can make some substantial savings by sourcing them yourself. Loft hatches come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, as do skylights, loft ladders, loft hatch accessories and so on. You can buy most of these products on-line or via a builder's merchant, and most of them can be custom fitted to your precise specifications. If you have a particular staircase in mind there are specialist suppliers who can either build 1 to your requirement, or for a cheaper option you could buy off the shelf and have your builders create your loft entrance to fit. If you decide to supply materials your self, make certain you ask guidance and be certain to shop around for the best cost.
