Things to Consider When Converting Your Loft8622193
There are so many different things to think about when it comes to loft/attic conversions. It's a fairly significant undertaking so the first factor to consider is precisely how much upheaval such a development will cause. Is the loft hatch is situated in a bedroom? If so you will most most likely need to make alternative sleeping arrangements during the developing function, and you may also require to move or cover clothing and furniture situated 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 may 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 situations the building of an extra static staircase.
DIY or Builders
The subsequent consideration is whether or not 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 cost as a lot or more to place correct than it would've price to hire professionals to do the job in the first location. The main factor in any loft conversion is to make sure that measures are taken to allow existing floor to take elevated load. This is where builders experience comes in handy. Once this and any other structural work has been done, the majority of the rest of the work is cosmetic and can be done by you eg. Insulation, decoration etc.
Planning Permission
The need for planning approval and permissions varies for council to council so make certain you know exactly what is needed of you before you proceed with your loft conversion. If your home is a listed developing you will nearly certainly need planning approval but some newer homes will not require any sort of planning permission at all. Certain regulations might also apply to the fitting of a skylight to an current roof so, once more, make sure you know what is required.
Supplies
There is a huge variety of supplies accessible 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 through a builder's merchant, and most of them can be custom fitted to your exact 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 determine to supply supplies yourself, make certain you ask advice and be sure to shop around for the best price.
