Loft Conversions – Is There A Better Way?

Quality loft conversions can be a really good alternative to moving house if you are looking for an extra room. In an area like London where the housing market is constantly changing, it can be a big risk to move house just to gain an extra room and it could turn out that you end up losing a lot of money. (With the additional costs of stamp duty, increased mortgages, conveyencing fees and paying removal companies it can really be expensive|Not forgetting all of the usual moving costs such as a bigger mortgage, stamp duty, normal removal expenses and solicitors fees it can really mount up|Then there are the costs which are always associated with moving home such as removals, the cost of hiring a solicitor, higher mortgage payments and stamp duty}.


What do you do if you really need that additional living space? A loft conversion is a very good idea as it will meet your requirements for that other room and it will add value to your precious home. In a recent survey conducted by the Alliance and Leicester building society it was revealed that a professional loft conversion can add as much as £40,000 to the value of your house. You also have the benefit of not moving house and all of the costs that come with that.


A change in the planning laws in 2008 has seen a real surge in loft conversions. The laws have been relaxed and now most loft conversions can be carried out under “permitted development” which means that formal planning permission is not required. This should not be confused with building regulations as these still need to be adhered to as the conversion will be used for additional living space.


Prices will vary from different contractors when estimating your loft conversion. It is not wise just to accept the lowest estimate because if the conversion is planned and constructed poorly then the value of your house could actually fall. Temporary staircases are not recommended and estate agents will tell you this really doesn’t add much value. Think about the future and the jump in value you will see when it is time to sell and pay for the highest quality loft conversion that you can get now.


Loft conversions have lots of advantages over traditional extensions so what are they? The advantages are numerous. Whatever kind of house that you own it is very likely that it will be suitable for a loft conversion. The cost of a loft conversion is also likely to be a lot less than a home extension would be and there is no need to lose valuable outdoor space as well. Most home extensions will require planning permission which can take months whereas a loft conversion will probably not. Another major advantage is that loft conversions often take less time to plan and build which means that you are not sharing your home with local builders for weeks on end .


You can go a step further with your loft conversion and help the environment by installing solar panels to generate electricity, heat your water or both. This will also reduce your electricity bill. If you choose the solar panel route to generate electricity then you will be eligible for incentives from the government for this and water incentives are also planned.


The total price for your loft conversion is dependent upon a number of things such as whether plumbing work is required to move tanks and pipes, the floor structural requirements and the actual size of your loft to name but a few. Whatever the final price it should always be a good investment.



There are many advantages to choosing a loft conversion if a quality solution is sought. To find out more about quality loft conversions visit this link loft conversions London.