In the following subsections, we cover the various loft conversion supply costs you should expect. Loft conversion flooring prices vary depending on the material you choose. To ensure your loft conversion is heated properly, you will need to install a new heating system in it. This may include the price of installing radiators which can be fitted onto the walls of your loft conversion to heat up the space. The cost of underfloor heating is higher and it would need to be completed before your flooring could be laid.
This works by pumping water through pipes to heat up the floor. This features electric mats and wires that are connected to the main electricity supply to heat up the floor. This could include ceiling lights. Other popular lighting options include lamps. More advanced lighting options include smart lighting. These can be controlled by a smart device like your smartphone and will help you to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. One of the most important costs you need to consider is a new staircase - which will enable you to access your new living space once it's been created!
The supply cost for a new staircase will vary depending on the type of staircase you choose along with the material. If you are installing a dormer loft conversion, then you will need to consider the cost of dormer windows. Another popular loft conversion window design is Velux rooflights. They help to create a contemporary and airy living space and will greatly improve the aesthetic.
When converting your loft, you may need to hire a heating engineer to check if your existing boiler can be connecting to the new living space. If not, they may advise installing a new boiler. This can be costly job. The cost of a new boiler will vary depending on the type of boiler you choose, as some are harder to install than others.
Loft spaces tend to feel colder in the winter - so underfloor heating installation may be worthwhile to warm up your new living space. As we've already touched on, the cost of underfloor heating will vary depending on the system you choose. This consists of pipework which is installed under your floor, which allows water to be pumped through.
This involves installing electric mats or wires which are connected to the main electricity supply in your home.
Another important cost you need to consider is the price of fitting insulation in your new loft conversion. There will also need to be a tie between the new ceiling and roof to prevent the roof spreading. The higher the pitch angle, the higher the central head height is likely to be.
If dormers are used or the roof is redesigned, the floor area can be widened. A typical loft conversion project will take four to six weeks to complete and most of the work can be done without disturbing the existing house. A more complex project that involves removing the existing roof will take eight to 10 weeks. There are four fundamental types of loft conversion and they vary in complexity and in cost as noted above.
The existing loft space can be converted by simply adding rooflights , such as Velux windows, plus upgrading the structure and adding stairs, electrics, plumbing, insulation. This is usually the simplest, quickest and cheapest type of conversion, as structural alterations are kept to a minimum. Rooflights are also the most straightforward way of adding natural light and ventilation to your loft conversion.
The surrounding area is reinforced before the rafters are cut to make way for the rooflights. The rooflight frame is fitted within the opening, and flashings are added before making good the surrounding tiling.
This type of window is the most cost-effective, and most likely to be allowed without planning permission, under permitted development rights. Conservation rooflights, which are slightly more flush to the roofline and made of metal, can also be installed. Dormers not only give natural light, but can add space to a loft conversion, too.
They are particularly effective where the pitch angle is high, as they can help increase the useable floor space. Dormers are normally installed by opening up the roof and cutting the required timbers to size on site. However, some loft conversion companies will make the dormers off site in their workshop and lift into place, which allows quick installation, and weatherproofing.
The mansard type, most commonly seen on London terrace houses, also maximises available roof space because it projects the maximum available head height, giving a greater usable floor area. The part of the roof being extended will need to be stripped and the structure rebuilt. Consequently, this option is more time-consuming and expensive. This is where the roof structure is altered at the back of the house and sometimes at the front, too to create a far larger area with full headroom.
A mansard conversion typically spans from gable wall to gable wall and is like another full storey with almost vertical tiled walls and a flat roof. This results in an addition that may appear far more a part of the property and less like an add-on than a large box dormer. This usually applies to a semi-detached house or bungalow where the roof is currently hipped sloped to the side, as well as to the back and front.
This roof is stripped and the hipped section removed. The end wall is then built up to form a new vertical gable and a standard pitched roof. The work creates a far greater area with full headroom. Most loft conversions will have at least one vertical external wall and standard window openings can be formed in these walls to bring in extra light. New windows in side elevations do not usually require planning permission if they are obscured, or are more than 1.
A loft will not usually need planning permission , but always check with your local planning department. As a general rule, loft conversions are classed as permitted development and generally do not require planning permission, providing they meet the following conditions:.
Always remember that planning permission does not equal building regulations approval — the two have to be cleared separately.
Every new conversion, including those done under permitted development, must comply with fire and building regulations. This covers the safety and quality of the building work, including:. Then why not subscribe to our magazine to see our newest content first? Packed with fabulous readers' homes, trend features, project advice and easy updates, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. In an unconverted loft, the plasterboard ceiling in the upstairs rooms will delay the spread of fire to the roof space.
This represents the minimum time for each step and assumes the next job can start straight away. Whether you need an architect will depend on the contractor you choose. Many Loft conversion specialists are happy to work without an architect and rely on their own experience. This can save you a bit of money early on in the process, but ultimately it might lead to problems. Having an architect draw up plans for your loft conversion serves two main purposes.
The first reason to get plans drawn up is that you can be sure the work can be completed and that it will be safe. The second reason to get plans is so that you have a clear and agreed-upon vision for what the final product will look like. Without plans, it is easy for you and your contractor to be working at cross purposes. With a set of plans drawn up, then you have a record of what you all expect the final project to look like. The cost of getting plans drawn up depends on how detailed they are.
The more detailed plans can be helpful in allowing your contractor to give you an accurate loft conversion price guide. Adding a staircase is now a requirement of any loft conversion. You can no longer simply put in a pulldown ladder. This is for fire safety reasons. You will need to plan where the staircase will go with care. To make the most of the space you have, you should have the top of the staircase arrive in line with the roof ridge.
This means that as you climb, you follow the slope of the roof. If possible, the best place for the stairs is to continue on from your existing staircase. The cost of staircases varies dramatically. Building regulations limit you to a maximum of 16 steps in a straight line. Although most loft conversions only require The rise of each step can be no more than 22cm. Each step must be at least 22mm deep. Winders, steps that go around the corners but be at least 5cm deep at the smallest point.
The bannister must be at the height of at least 90cm above the pitch line of the stairs. Spiral staircases have a smaller footprint than traditional staircases so it can be a good option in close quarters. The most stripped-down option is to go for a no retractable ladder with a fixed bannister.
If you have building experience, then there is no reason why you couldn't have a DIY loft conversion. However, taking on the whole project by your self may be too much for most DIYers. If you are planning a roof light conversion, that will make no changes to the structure of the roof; then you should be able to carry out a lot of the work on your own.
However, it requires a lot of work and knowledge, so it is not for everyone. It will also take a lot longer to complete. For a loft conversion that involves a lot of structural changes, you would be better leaving that to a contractor. The same is true of plumbing, electrics, and fitting the staircase. Taking on any of these jobs will save you some money. The more you do yourself, the more money you will be able to save.
If you do intend to take on some of the work yourself, make sure that you communicate this to your contractor early on. They will need to plan the rest of the workaround you. Before you start planning your loft conversion, you should find out if you will be able to have one done, and what sort you would be able to have.
There are a few things to check that will help to give you an answer. An easy way to see if you can get a loft conversion done is to look for other homes on your street that already have loft conversions.
If you find a similar home to yours with a loft conversion, then you are probably good to go. It is also a chance to speak to the owner about their experience; they might have some useful insight for your project. In order to have a usable space, you need sufficient headspace in your loft. This is the distance between the floor and the ceiling. The minimum height for loft conversion is 2. It's easy to measure for yourself with a tape measure.
This will help you to visualise how much space you will have without making any alterations to the roofline.
It can be easy to forget to consider the space on the floor below the loft conversion. A staircase, no matter how compact, will take up a lot of floor space. You need to identify an area where you are happy to put the staircase. If your home is listed, then you may not be able to get any form of loft conversion. Or you may be limited to a roof light loft, which will not change the shape of the roof or the appearance from the front of the property.
The best way to be certain if your home is suitable for a loft conversion is to get an architect to give you a consultation. They will be able to inspect your property and give you a clear answer on if it is possible to have a loft conversion. When it comes to a loft conversion, you can use it for whatever you need. Really the only limit is your imagination. It is always a good idea to look at the size and shape of the space you will be creating and then deciding what will fit best.
You might end up moving other rooms in the house around as a result. Some of the most common uses for loft rooms are as follows:. Loft conversions are popular for use as children's bedrooms. If the space, you end up with is quite narrow, then it can work better with a child's bed rather than a full size. A lot of children also like the idea of having a room at the very top of the house. An attic room can feel like a lovely retreat with the sloping ceilings. So, if you have a good-sized space, it is a great place to put your master bedroom.
With an ensuite as well it can feel like your own private space in an otherwise busy house. A loft is a great place for a guest room. If you have a growing family, then a whole room dedicated to toys can be a blessing. The sloping ceiling can make for lots of exciting hiding holes, forts, and your children's imaginations can run wild. Tucked away at the top of the house, a loft room is a great spot for an office.
You are lifted above all the family life so are less likely to be interrupted. It also created a bit of separation between work and home for anyone who has to work from home. Bathrooms are often viewed as solely functional spaces. However, given the blank canvas of a loft conversion, you could create your own decadent spa room. The cosy dimensions of a loft room can lend itself very well to a home cinema.
Going up the stair to watch a film can make it a special experience. Your architect or builder should be able to confirm this for you. However, as long as all of the following provisions apply, you should be safe. Any loft conversion will need to meet building regulations. It does not matter if planning permission is needed. Building regulations are about making sure that the new rooms are safe and structurally sound. This requires your neighbours to agree to the work taking place.
You are liable for costs such as their surveyor and any damage to their home which may occur as part of the works - it can cost several thousand pounds depending on how complex the agreement is. Once all the plans have been finalised and approved, work can commence. Typically initial work will be carried out externally with the use of scaffolding and in some cases a roof cover to allow work to continue effectively even with bad weather.
At some point, access will be created into the loft from the interior and the floor will be strengthened. The dormers will be constructed and the roof altered. Interior walls will be then be fitted along with insulation, and features such as the staircase will be installed, followed by windows. Electrics and plumbing will go in, before it is plastered and carpentry such as skirting boards are fitted. Electrical sockets and elements like the WC and sink, if needed, are then added, before the final conversion is ready for final inspection, and decoration can then take place.
This is where the bulk of the costs are spent. The ultimate finish of the loft will have a large impact on the cost of the project - for example, if you are simply planning to use the space as a large bedroom, it will cheaper than if you are putting a bathroom in the space, where you will need to purchase the suite, which can cost several thousand pounds.
Other factors include things like moving water tanks, if needed, and the number of windows being fitted. A slate roof will usually cost more to alter than one with concrete roof tiles. Another factor is whether the roof was built with a frame - often found in pres homes - or with wooden trusses, which are easier to construct but can take less weight.
MyBuilder Plus is comprehensive cover for your job that takes away the stress and financial risk if the unexpected happens. Pay attention to fire safety - this will be a key part of building regulation inspections of your plans and the building work.
0コメント