Families keep growing, more businesses are started in a home office, dad and mom are growing elderly and could require support and quite often you might merely want extra flexibility and room or space. Loft conversions have become a very popular means of improving the amount of room available in houses.

The best news in regards to a well done loft conversion is that you can reap the benefits of a really good return on investment with loft conversions commonly adding as much as 15% to a propertys value.

There are a variety of issues to think about when thinking about having a loft conversion and maybe the very first is will there be plenty of height in the current loft space. At present there exists a minimum requirement so you should see if you can currently stand up at the maximum point It should be 2.3 m. Dormer extensions can enhance the standing room and are frequently fitted at the rear of the house with roof windows (velux) fitted to the front to keep the lines from the street view.

One of the key things that will affect the design of the loft is definitely the location of your staircase and one more will be the relative location of things like your existing rest room and the soil pipes etc. In order to minimize expense and other disruption its very important to site any rest room that you propose to have in the loft in such a place that it will be most easily "plumbed into the existing facilities like the soil pipe etc.

Structural considerations are also essential when planning your loft. The floor joist must be bolstered and the rafters and beams that secure the roofing will need to be altered too. Where your property adjoins another as a semi detached or terrace you will likely need to enter a party wall agreement also. .

Planning permission may not be necessary however you must ensure that the planning office is contacted to obtain their guidance on the matter. You can't assume that you won't have to have planning permission specially when the result of being without the required permissions is that you can be ordered to return back your property back to its original state. Take professional guidance and /or refer it to the planning department.

Whether or not your loft needs planning permission it must be built in accordance with Building Regulations. Plans must be submitted to Building Control department of the local authority and their suggestions undertaken BEFORE commencing. They will consider things such as the fire safety and insulation along with the proposed methods of building and materials.

Having a loft conversion means that you'll be able to meet your needs for extra room or space without the need to move and will save you money in that respect. A good contractor will reduce the inconvenience nevertheless, you need to expect that there is going to be some disruption and it will definitely be noisy for a while. Is it a bedroom an office , a play room , a bathrroom or perhaps a combination that you happen to be after?

Make sure you check out your builder. What experience have they got ? Look to see if they have done similar work in the past. If you have a clear idea of the person you would like to use you can avoid the hassle of finding several quotes if however you're focussed on needing to achieve the best value then get some plans drawn by an architect and then invite a tender according to the plans.

It is always a comfort to know that a tradesperson you decide on has previous practical experience with the kind of job you want them to do so find out about their experience constructing lofts.

Check what warranties and guarantees are being offered. You have to know just what might happen if things go wrong.

A builders reputation is vital. Remember it is likely you cant please all of the people all of the time nonetheless they must be able to demonstrate a track record of satisfied clients.

Author's Bio: 

For additional information in relation to loft conversions, property extensions and also other property improvements look at the writers web page at Builders Manchester where the writer is a partner or phone 0161 951 7956 or call at Fourways House, 57 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EJ.