How Much Will It Cost Are Going Through The Roof
There are four main types of loft conversion and the costs vary hugely depending on which you choose. The cheapest, and least disruptive option, is a “roof light conversion”, essentially adding a skylight window, laying a floor, decoration and putting in a staircase. The cost tends to come in at between £15,000 and £30,000, depending on the size and the quality of the build.
The most common type is the “dormer loft conversion”, an extension to the existing roof with vertical walls, which add floor space and allow for windows. They are suitable for most homes with a sloping roof and typically cost between £30,000 and £50,000.
Owners of detached and semi-detached homes can opt for a “hip-to-gable” conversion, where one of the sides of the roof is replaced with a vertical end wall, increasing the amount of interior space.
A “mansard roof conversion” alters the appearance of a house the most significantly, with sloping walls and a flat roof. These bigger projects can cost between £50,000 and £60,000.
With the recent rise in construction costs, homeowners are more likely to pay the higher end of these ranges, according to MyBuilder, which supplied the figures. Prices can vary significantly, however, depending on the materials used and your location. London will typically be more expensive and bathroom installation or higher-quality finishes will cost more Quoted from the site’s article page https://www.vanguardproservices.com/
Huddersfield-based Jo Simon Construction completed two loft conversions in Oldham on identical houses a few doors apart, but the bill for one was 50% more. “This was due to the client requesting a higher specification of finish, such as fancy niches and storage in eaves, our company completing the decorating (on the first job the client did his own), addition of a bathroom and decorating the entire staircase of the house, which has four floors,” says partner Trish Nuttall.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Most loft conversions do not need planning permission as they can be done under permitted development rights. To qualify, they must create up to 40 cubic metres of extra space for terraced houses, or 50 cubic metres on detached and semi-detached houses.
If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent from the local planning authority. Those in a conservation area, an area of outstanding natural beauty, or a national park will usually need planning permission.
What everyone will need is building regulations approval, so that the extension complies with the law in terms of fire safety, access and floor strength and other factors. An inspector will come to examine the work at different stages and issue a completion certificate at the end.
Builders or architects can help in submitting the plans for the building regulations and ensuring that they get approval. “This is imperative – without it you will be unable to sell your house later and the work may be dangerous if approval has not been given,” says Nuttall.