Planning a Loft Conversion

With the cost of moving home running into many thousands of pounds, it’s not surprising that many families are opting to move up instead of moving on.

Converting your loft is certainly a job for the professionals, but if you get it right you not only gain a fabulous light-filled space, you could also get a handsome return on your investment when you sell. According to the FMB a loft extension can add up to 21% to the value of your property.

Can you stand up?
Is your loft suitable for conversion? The easiest way to tell is to see if you can stand upright at its highest point, as this needs to be at least 2.3m. Even if you can stand up, a dormer window extension will maximise headroom throughout the space. Planning requirements often mean that this is put at the back of the house so it doesn’t change the house’s appearance from the street. For this reason, roof windows are commonly used at the front to provide light and ventilation.

Don’t get into hot water
Most people convert their loft to add an extra bedroom and bathroom to their home. The layout will largely be dictated by the position of the staircase and plumbing arrangements for the bathroom.

It can be difficult to put the bathroom at the front of the house as you have to run a soil pipe to the back of the building where the existing bathrooms and toilets are situated. You’ll also need to consider the hot water and heating system. The boiler may not be capable of heating the extra space or providing enough hot water for the extra bathroom.

It’s all in the planning
There are also structural considerations. New beams will be needed in the roof and in the new floor to take the floor weight and strengthen the roof when the existing rafters are removed. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached house this work will probably require a Party Wall agreement with your neighbours. This refers to walls, ceilings or floors which are shared with other properties.

The good news is that planning permission is not always necessary, but as with any extension work, you should contact your local planning office and ask if the work can be done within what is known as, permitted development. If the house hasn’t been extended since 1948 this is likely to be the case, but you must find out in advance. Even if your house has not been extended since 1948, you may be next door to a listed building. In some areas this means you will need permission for any changes which affect the appearance of neighbouring listed properties. If planning permission is required and you don’t apply, the authorities can make you remove the extension and return the building to its original state.

All loft conversions must meet Building Regulations. Your architect and structural engineer should be up to date with these but it is best to submit full plans to your local authority building control department so they can advise on any changes needed before work begins. One of the key areas when adding another storey to a property are the fire precautions required. Upgrading the fire resistance of existing ceilings and doors is usually necessary. Recent changes to Building Regulations require high levels of insulation, which will keep your extension warm in winter and prevent overheating in summer.

From 1 October 2008 the rules relating to whether permission is needed for householder development such as loft conversions and extensions were changed.

Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint said: "From today people will find it has become much easier to convert the loft and build on an extension...

Read More here > >

What on earth do you want?
A loft conversion is a major job and you will need to get architectural plans drawn up. Make sure you know what you want so that you can brief your architect. Are you considering more than one room? Do you want to include a bathroom and if so are you content with a shower or do you need enough space for a bath? What are the rooms to be used for? Have you thought about storage space?

At this stage it is also worth spending time thinking about lighting and other electrical requirements – if you are going to use the loft as a study you are likely to need more electrical sockets, for example.

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Basement Conversions

For the latest trend in home improvement, you don't have to look up – look down!

Loft conversions are old news, and what most homeowners don't realize is that their dusty cellar or smelly basement is actually an extra room worth thousands of pounds, as well as one which can dramatically enhance you and your family's lifestyle.

This cost-effective craze has been big news in London for a while, where cramped homeowners are keen to use every square foot of space, but the trend is now taking off in other parts of the UK such as Manchester, Leeds and parts of Scotland.

The main reason basement conversions are really growing in popularity is because, unlike loft conversions, basements are normally closer to other communal areas and can be more versatile living spaces that suit modern lifestyles, not just extra bedrooms, bathrooms or studies.

Let your imagination roam free.

Perhaps the most exciting reason to 'extend' underground is that you can really enhance your family's lifestyle. Your kids can have a giant playroom all to themselves – or the bigger kids (and you) can treat themselves to a home cinema, a recording studio, or a state-of-the-art wine cellar to really indulge their passion.

If you own a commercial property it's also worth remembering your basement could earn you thousands as extra storage, retail space, a car park or even a bar or nightclub.

Are there any financial benefits?

Apart from the extra space for you or your family, a basement conversion can earn you a packet in additional rental income. Most simply, you could rent the converted basement to a lodger, who would then share the kitchen and bathroom with the family.

Or, alternatively, you could convert the basement into a self-contained studio apartment, with its own front door if so desired. If that sounds appealing, however, you should be aware that you will need planning permission if you plan to create a separate entrance to your home. But even if you decide not to rent out your converted basement, a simple conversion can also add on thousands to the value of your property when selling it on.

Doing your bit for society!
It might seem far-fetched but basement conversions were championed by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning in 2005 as a way of addressing the UK's increasing inner-city dwelling density. So you'd also be helping out the Government!

Is my basement suitable for a conversion?
It may sound a tad obvious but your property is only suitable for a basement conversion if you actually have a basement or cellar under your home. Digging a new basement under an existing property is usually not a financially viable solution, though small numbers of people do try to pursue this option.

Luckily, Victorian houses, and older types of properties which have timber-suspended floors, are ideal for cellar conversions, as the work can often be carried out from outside, which means you can easily continue to live in your property while the renovations are taking place.

A word of warning, however, some older houses may have shallow foundations, so in order to create a safe living space below, you may need to underpin your property first. If this is the case for your property, then the easiest thing to do is to talk to an underpinning firm or specialist builder who can advise you on feasibility and cost of the job.

Remember – while a basement conversion may seem like a dream come true, always make sure that a cellar conversion is a realistic venture for your property first.

Links: Builders for basement conversion in London

Kitchen Fitting Tips

HINTS & TIPS TO PLAN YOUR KITCHEN BEFORE PURCHASE

Planning your kitchen

It's important to design a kitchen that revolves around your needs. Creating a triangle between your cooker, sink and fridge will make a better working environment. This will ensure that your workspace is never cramped, allowing you to move freely between appliances. The layout you choose will depend on the size and shape of your room - and the position of windows and doors. Plumbing and electrical points can usually be moved, so do not let these restrict your design.

It is good to know these points before choosing a Kitchen Fitter to install your kitchen.

Most kitchens fall into four basic designs, a single line of units, a double line (galley), and an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen. By combining cabinets imaginatively to these designs it is easy to totally transform your kitchen to suit your lifestyle.

HOW TO: DESIGN, PLAN & FIT A KITCHEN

• Try to position your sink by a window, so you have a view.

• Position electrical sockets a minimum distance of 150mm above worktops.

• Position extractors or cupboards a minimum distance of 750mm above hobs.

• Use heat or fireproof cable on cookers or hobs.

• Locate dishwashers and washing machines close to sink to minimise

plumbing work.

• Ensure that wall and floor units are of similar widths-so the doors line up.

• Keep tall units at the end of the worktop runs, to maximise the working area.

• Place your hob or free-standing cooker in position this minimises the distance

needed to carry hot pans across the walkways in the kitchen.

• Allow at least 300mm of clear space each side of the hob to allow for

protruding pan handles.

• Position extractor fans on (or close to) outside walls.

• Allow adequate space around free-standing appliances for easy access,

(refer to manufacturers fitting instructions).

Don’t

• Locate a cooker or hob beneath a window where curtains could catch fire - or where it is dangerous to reach over to the window.

• Plan a wall unit above a hob without an extractor fan.

• Plan a hob next to a tall unit, corner wall or at the end of a run.

• Plan appliances in a corner.

• Put an inset sink near worktop joints.

• Position a sink or cooker near or next to opening doors.

• Box in boilers or other gas appliances as these require air flow to operate

properly and safely.

• Put a cooker hob under or near electrical sockets.

• Position cookers next to fridges or freezers.

• Block up existing air vents if there are gas appliances in the kitchen.

Need a kitchen fitter for your new kitchen? Click here London Kitchen fitting/installation