Are you considering a loft conversion?

Turning your lofts pace into one or more rooms is a great way to add space and value to your property, but there are some mistakes to watch out for.

Many common errors can be avoided by thorough research on how to plan your loft conversion, but is is helpful to be aware of some of the mistakes made by other homeowners to ensure you don't follow in their footsteps.

Do you need planning permission?

Planning permission for loft conversions is not always needed, but you should never take this for granted.

Some situations where you might include conservation areas or in listed buildings. In conservation areas, there are strict guidelines on the sizes of any dormer extensions and even the type of rooflights to use and you will almost always need permission for any external changes.

Always check if you fall under permitted development (PD) rights, as it is not just homes in conservation areas that don’t.

Where you do have PD rights, be careful to ensure the requirements are carefully followed; there are requirements in terms of volume that can be added at loft level, limitations on height relative to the existing roof, materials that can't be used and set backs on dormer extensions – if not followed, this would be a breach of your PD rights and the council could take action.

A Certificate of Lawful Development from the council will aleviate any worries here and it’s helpful if you ever want to sell the house.

Don’t Ignore building regulations

Just because your loft falls within PD, you still need to abide by loft conversion building regulations.

Even if planning isn’t needed, building regulations approval definitely is. Skipping this step or going with a builder who doesn’t stick to the rules can cause problems when you try to sell.

The building regs. surrounding loft conversions cover all kinds of things including fire safety.

A common mistake in loft conversions is a lack of understanding of fire regulations. With an extra storey you will want to be certain that you and your family are protected in the event of a fire.

There are requirements within dormers for these to be fire rated to stop the spread of fire to adjacent semi-detached or terraced properties. Use of non-combustible boarding on dormer walls can help prevent the spread of fire to your neighbours property. The doors to all habitable rooms at loft level will need to be fire rated and you may need to consider changing doors to lower levels too.

Don’t Skip structural checks

This can be a serious mistake which could not only mean your loft conversion costs will increase, but also that you risk the your family’s safety.

It is understandable for people to try to save money on structural checks hoping that the structure of the existing building can cope with alterations but it is always advisable to have a structural engineer check. Floors may need reinforcing to meet building regulations for example.

Don’t Overlook the need for good insulation

Similar to garage conversions, lofts were not normally constructed with day-to-day use in mind. This means it will be necessary to upgrade for everyone’s comfort.

Ventilation and insulation are commonly overlooked. Lofts tend to get warm in summer and cold in winter, so getting your insulation right is essential not only to meet regulations but to make the space actually comfortablealso.

Without proper ventilation, especially inbathrooms, you may end up with condensation and mould issue. Make sure extractor fans are vented properly to the outside and not just into the roof space.

Think about head height

The most common mistake is forgetting about how much head height you will need, especially for those people who are tall.

Converting a loft is a major project and even small mistakes can be costly and cause delays or problems later on. Lofts need a minimum of 2.2 metres headroom (measured from floor to ridge beam) to meet building regulations comfortably. Always measure before committing.

Just because the loft looks big enough it doesn't mean it will be suitable for conversion. Always get a professional survey done when planning to avoid design headaches later on.

Think about staircase design

Homeowners often focus on the design and construction of the new loft conversion without considering how they will actually get up there, so do think about stairways carefully.

A bad staircase layout can waste space and ruin the asthetics of your home. Ideally stairs should rise above an existing staircase, so you're not wasting space in other areas like bedrooms or the hallway.

Poor bathroom design

Depending on what you plan on using your new loft space for, you might want to include a bathroom/shower room. This should always be planned carefully to get the most from it.

If you only have one existing bathroom you need to ensure your boiler can cope with the added hot water and heating requirements. There’s no point having two bathrooms if they can’t be used at the same time. That being the case, you may need to consider a boiler upgrade and also check that your property has adaquate water pressure.

Drainage is also something to consider to avoid the need for a macerator or unsightly boxing.

Don’t forget the importance of good storage

Good storage is a key part of any successful room layout, so make sure you take this into account.

People often try to make the room feel bigger by incorporating the eaves space into the room and though this might sound like a good idea these areas are difficult to stand in and not realistically useable. It’s much better to have well designed storage built into these areas as this allows you to manage the head room and create storage for things that used to live in your loft like suitcases and Christmas decorations and even your boiler.

Trying to squeeze too much in

A big mistake is trying to fit too much in. It’s easy to get carried away thinking about extra rooms, but the space has to work.

Poor layout planning can leave you with unusable corners and eves areas, creating rooms that feel small. Along with storage don’t forget about lighting, either from sky lights or electrical lighting.

Failing to budget properly

Unless you go into your loft conversion project fully aware of how much it is going to cost you, there is a risk that you'll run out of money halfway through.

The average loft conversion can cost between £30,000 and £50,000, but it is easy for costs to spiral depending on the type of fixtures and fittings you use. Always consider the cost and quality of, lighting, flooring, bathroom fittings, decoration, etc.

If you found this article useful please check out the other articles on my blog and if you need any assistance with a planning application, etc, please get in touch.

Any feedback is always welcome.