Over the past few years, adding loft conversions to houses have become one of the many exciting home renovation ideas in Essex. Not only does this give you an extra room with a view, but it is also energy efficient. All these benefits, and you probably won’t even need planning permission for it!

As lofts usually provide an increased space to the house, many homeowners opt to see lofts as storage solutions. On the other hand, when lofts are converted, they have more than enough room to refurbish it to a large master bedroom. 

Whatever you plan to do with the loft conversion services, the key stages are the same nevertheless. The steps may seem complicated, but you shouldn’t feel too overwhelmed because you need to take one step at a time, and we’re here to help you with the process. So, we put together a guide where we will explain the process of getting a loft conversion. 

Figure Out Whether Your House Is Compatible For A Loft Conversion

Figuring this out is easy and just as crucial to know whether or not your house is fit to handle a loft conversion. 

In most cases, houses come with planning permission for loft conversions. That means you get to have the conversion started right away. But if your home is within a conservation area, then chances are that your roof is not as tall enough, and that makes everything even more complicated. 

There are a couple of ways you can check whether your loft can be converted or not:

1. Ask A Builder Or Architect

Pretty easy, ask your local builder or architect to check the place out.

2. Look For Similar Houses

Another easy way to find it out yourself is to do some research. First, see if there are any similar houses on the street that have had loft conversions. If you do manage to find some houses in the same street, then your house might be capable of handling a loft conversion too. Your next step is to ask the house owners if you could take a look around the loft. That should give you an idea of how the loft would look.

3. Measure The Head Height

Loft conversions usually require a minimum height of 2.2m, and you can check this off easily. All you need is a measuring tape and run it from the floor to the ceiling at the tallest part of the room. If you see that the length is 2.2m or higher, your loft can be converted. 

4. Consider The Floors Below

The idea of having an increased space in the house can be exciting. And it is this exciting notion that makes most people forget to consider how much space they’ll be losing on the floor below. Since you can’t lift yourself to the loft without a staircase, it is worth spending a considerable amount of time thinking about where you might place it. This is because sometimes, even if the staircase is designed to save space- it doesn’t. In fact, staircases take up quite an ample space in the room. So make sure you are satisfied with the area you are about to lose. 

5. Check What Kind Of Roof You Might Have

The type of roof you have depends on when your house was built. Either you have roof trusses or rafters, and you can know this by unlocking the loft hatch. 

Trusses act as a support for the roof while tying the outside walls of the house together. On the other hand, rafters are a more traditional means of framing a roof. They are long planks that slope down from the roof’s peak while intersecting with the outside walls. 

If we were to compare and decide what kind of roof is best suited for a loft conversion, we would choose rafters because they tend to be more spacious and won’t be needing extra structural support, unlike trusses when converting. 

Choosing A Builder or An Architect For Loft Conversions

Whoever you choose to hand over the project to, it is best to consult with other people or look at what the reviews say. Talk with your family and friends and anybody else who may have had their loft conversions done before. 

As mentioned earlier, if you have someone in your street who had their loft conversion done before, ask them who completed their project and how they found their builders. 

If you have found a potential builder or architect, you must ask to see examples of their previous work. Most companies will happily show you their portfolio, and some might even speak about their experiences to a great extent with you. 

Finding a single builder isn’t enough. Consult at least three different companies and get a quote for the project. Make sure to factor in the recommendations and the price.

Should You Inform Your Home Insurance Company About A Loft Conversion?

Yes! 

Your insurer should be aware of any changes on the property, whether the change is in your home’s structure, security or value. In this case, loft conversions are sure to raise your home value.

If you’re having significant construction changes and choose to stay somewhere else, you should let your insurer know about this too. Consider a specialist renovations insurance in case things go wrong. 

The End

Whichever type of loft conversion you are going to have, we hope that this article helped you understand what steps you have to take for a loft conversion. If you are planning a loft conversion, consider checking out our loft conversion services! For more informational blogs like this one, visit us here!