Things to Consider When Converting Your Loft3882438
There are so many various things to consider when it comes to loft/attic conversions. It is a pretty significant undertaking so the first thing to consider is exactly how a lot upheaval such a development will cause. Is the loft hatch is located in a bedroom? If so you will most likely need to make alternative sleeping arrangements throughout the building work, and you might also require to move or cover clothes and furniture situated in the bedroom as they are most likely to get covered in dust and debris.
Access to the loft
Based what the newly converted loft will be used for, you might also need to look at relocating the loft entrance. If the new conversion is to be used for general storage purposes then access by way of a bedroom may be OK but if the loft is becoming converted into additional living space or a bedroom, the access will need further planning, and in some situations the construction 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 combination 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 main justification of this is that any structural damage caused by your DIY efforts will cost as much or much more to put correct than it would've price to hire professionals to do the job in the first place. The main aspect in any loft conversion is to make sure that measures are taken to enable current floor to take increased load. This is exactly where builders experience comes in handy. As soon as this and any other structural work has been carried out, the majority of the rest of the function is cosmetic and can be carried out by you eg. Insulation, decoration etc.
Planning Permission
The require for planning approval and permissions varies for council to council so make certain you know precisely what is required of you before you proceed with your loft conversion. If your home is a listed building you will nearly certainly 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 existing roof so, again, make certain you know what is required.
Supplies
There is a massive variety of materials accessible for loft conversions, and you can make some significant 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 exact specifications. If you have a particular staircase in thoughts 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 produce your loft entrance to fit. If you determine to supply materials yourself, make certain you ask advice and be certain to shop about for the very best cost.
