The point of less-spacious houses suggests that giving rise to their modifications would benefit you. Nevertheless, it is significant to formulate the correct means of alterations.

You possess four key-options here:

• Loft Conversion,
• Outward extension,
• Basement extension,
• Or a combined extension

What type to assign relies on you, but we will be of great help in several matters. Adding a basement extension is a tricky strategy, and outward extension implies a garden area’s cut-off.

Thus, loft extensions are a promising selection, and their reasons are present here.

Would there be a possibility to build a loft conversion?

An additional area in a home is achievable through Loft conversion. Nevertheless, problems respecting planning permission can arise, so please consider some things which are-

• Is there a possibility to include stairs (leading to the loft)?
• The loft conversion’s height should be 2.4 meters in length minimum.
• Anything movable present in your loft.

Note: A proficient architect might assist you with everything regarding loft conversions– whether it is its building or designing procedure.

What will be the new loft’s uses?

Already knowing about what your loft’s usages will be, is fundamental. Thus, ensuring what the loft room type would be–bedroom, gym, playroom, home office, etc.– is important.

Create a plan regarding where you will add and adjust things before building the loft conversion.

What are the categories of a loft conversion?

There are plenty of categories of loft conversions, each possessing its own set of advantages relying on your preferences. Let’s now discuss certain loft conversions, which are as follows::

Simple room/Roof light loft conversion

When it comes to loft conversions, roof light loft conversions are by far the most prevalent.

Preparing it has fewer complexities than any other loft conversions

Here, one can apply windows to the loft, whose angle is identical to the roof’s angle. Such conversions have gained popularity in London as well. Already existing stairs would help more. If not, then the addition of a staircase through proper planning will work.

Dormer loft conversion

Dormer windows have additional value in several matters than a light roof, making them highly preferable as Loft conversions. The building here takes place outwards, which implies that you will possess an excess spacious loft. The window lies vertically here. You can quickly peek out of the dormer window, and it has less noise when it rains.

You might have noticed that dormers have different styles that you can add, such as multiple dormers, front and back dormers, roof side dormers, narrow or large dormers, and so on.

Hip-to-gable Loft Conversion

When residing in a home that is either semi-detached, terraced, or detached, the presence of a hipped roof is reasonable. Hipped roofs are those roofs that incorporate slopes on three sides of the home of an end-terraced or semi-detached one and four slopes on a detached house.

One of the slopes that we have mentioned above is removed when adding hip-to-gable loft conversion. In the vertical wall, it is feasible to attach your loft. It can be integrated with a dormer on a separate sloped side as well.

Mansard Loft Conversion

The addition of a Mansard loft conversion implies altering half of a home’s roof. Many situations comprise the replacement of the entire roof. It would be pretty expensive once considering the alterations it necessitates.

There is a necessity of planning permission for a mansard loft conversion. The difficulties will have increment if it is present in a conservation area or a listed building.

What I should evaluate during the planning of a loft conversion?

The exterior looks of the conversion: You should search in your neighborhood for visible loft conversions. All the modifications contain specific details yet preserve the original house’s looks. Prepare a method to create the conversion’s appearance better from the outside. Still, resemble the original home (but don’t make it like it’s an add-on to the house).

It’s stairs: The most challenging component of the formation of loft conversion is its stair addition. It might seem easier to start with the loft conversion first and its stairs later. However, finding an appropriate location to reach the loft by stairs is an efficient move before beginning the loft conversion.

Cross-ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Heating: In summer, the loft becomes the warmest room of all, and you don’t necessitate to suffer from the warmth. It is impossible to stop visiting the loft during summers- you need a solution for sure. It is possible to implement air conditioning in the loft. If it is costlier, then a less expensive alternative is cross-ventilation.

Effective Blinds: You wouldn’t want to go through the sunlight at some points of the day. In such cases, a useful blind to stop the sun’s glaze at your loft is significant. Also, select one that would be unable to make you blind due to darkness (which doesn’t make your room dark so that everything would be visible).

Storage: Loft is the ultimate place where you and every one store their unused stuff. Thus, consider where such stuff will go after preparing the loft conversion?

Is planning permission essential for Loft Conversion?

Some conversions/extensions don’t necessitate planning permission; meanwhile, others do. And the complicated task is learning about which alterations necessitate planning permission.

You would be unsure of whether planning permission for a loft extension is applicable or not.

However, distinct legal certificates are necessitated to demonstrate that you have permitted development rights, without which planning permission is deemed necessary.

Note: Permitted development rights enable you to modify your home without any planning permission. Still, particular alteration limits under permitted development rights are present.

What are the permission chances for a loft conversion?

Numerous restrictions for loft conversion prevails. Like- in a house (either terraced or semi-detached), only 40 cubic meters are permitted. In a home (detached), only 50 cubic meters are applicable. According to class B of permitted development rights, some conditions for permission are:

• Retain the looks of the conversions’ outer side to be identical to the original house.
• The enlargement shouldn’t be fewer than 0.2 meters farther from the eaves of your original home.
• The windows that add side elevation should be non-opening or obscured glazed.
• Is Building Regulations Approval crucial for a Loft conversion?

Yes, Building Regulations Approval is reasonably crucial for a loft conversion. You can receive an experienced architect’s assistance; they can boost your possibilities of obtaining approval resulting in avoidance of future hassles.

How would I get an Architect for Loft Conversion’s Building and Designing?

Building and Designing– you won’t be able to do it alone for a loft extension. Genuine assistance would be an architect; however, people often query how to get the perfect architect. Below, we have mentioned some points to look for in an architect, which we think might be helpful:

• Their track records of similar loft conversion proposals
• An architect with adequate knowledge of loft conversion
• Your thoughts should get through to them
• Their methods of communication are efficient
• They understand their role and are the perfect decision-makers

Loft conversion cost– How much will I incur (UK)?

The variety and function of various loft extensions determine their expenses. Let’s discuss its costs according to the loft type.

Dormer Loft Conversion– What would be its cost?

Dormer conversion is ideal and gives additional natural lights due to its height. Since it is rather complicated, its minimum standard cost is £25,000. It can increase to £40,000-£50,000 if you include a suite or a double bedroom.

Hip-to-gable loft conversion– What can be its cost?

A hip-to-gable loft conversion eliminates a significant portion of the roof you have to cover, resulting in the rise of your costs. In London, a hip-to-gable loft conversion costs between £45,000 and £50,000 on average.

Mansard Conversion– What can be its cost?

Mansard conversion is the costliest loft conversion and mandates the most resources. It removes half or almost all the roof, which then requires a cover. Its building is quite tricky, as well.

In London, the standard cost for Mansard transformation would be £40,000 –£70,000 upwards.

How much expense will I incur to get an Architect?

Without an architect’s assistance, developing a loft conversion is challenging, and they require some fees. An architect will cost you around £3,000 for the loft conversion assistance.

How can Elan Arch help You?

Elan Arch is a UK-based architecture and planning firm that can benefit you in multiple ways. We incorporate a dedicated team of professionals and experts who have adequate knowledge of planning and architecture.

We have expertise in conversions as well as residential extensions. We develop proper planning strategies that incorporate an overall package of planning permission, sound design, legal consents, procedures, etc.

Contact us now if we can assist you in any way.