Loft Conversions

In the current economic climate and with the housing market in a slump moving house is to say the least a perilous venture. Unless there are unavoidable reasons for having to move and your only problem is space then consider an upward move. The conversion of the loft space. In most houses and indeed bungalows there is a tremendous potential for building an additional room at the top or converting the space that already exists. This is a viable proposition not to be missed.

Why risk moving just for the reason of space. If you are happy where you live, the neighbours are great and the kids are happy with their friends around then there is no need to risk all that just for a few weeks upheaval inside as the workman expand your living area. The redundant part of the home otherwise known as the loft or attic can be turned into another room or two simultaneously adding thousands to the value of the home, useful one day when perhaps downsizing is on the agenda. But that is years away so let"s just concentrate on the conversion for now.

There will of course need to be contact made with our friends at the local planning department but once that little problem is resolved then it is all systems go. If you are by chance a member of the Master Builders Federation with qualifications galore then a DIY job is for you otherwise the professionals need to be called in. Plans need to be drawn up and you may find several areas that might have to be addressed that you had not realised. For example which walls are going to take the extra load and will they need strengthening before the main work begins? As access to the new room will be by new stairs so will the current stairs and landing need to be slightly redesigned? What about meeting fire regulations? There are several things to consider.

Consideration also has to be given to the current position of the water tank or tanks. Will they need moving to one side or at the end of the roof space? You may have to consider the chimney outside when designing the conversion. No one wants to look out of the new room and see a chimney pot staring back at them.

Yes, there are a lot of things to think about but like most things will seem worse on paper than actuality. Whichever way you look at it though any minor problems you might encounter pale into insignificance compared with the stress and traumas of moving house.