Loft ConversionsIf you need more space in your house, you have two options. You can either find a bigger house, or you can make you house bigger. The latter will obviously cost money, but so does moving house. In many cases it is a more cost effective solution to extend, not move house. A loft conversion is a popular choice for many home owners these days due to the fact that use is being made of what already exists. People do not always realise how much can be done with what seems to be the wasted space within the loft. In most cases a loft conversion can add one or two bedrooms to the house, often without compromising the current space on the first floor. Above all it should add value to your home. Loft Conversion CostsThe cost of a loft conversion will depend on the size of the loft, the number of rooms required and the level of detailing / finish you want to be included within the scheme. Generally, a loft conversion will cost the client in the region of £10,000 to £60,000 but can exceed this figure depending on the scale of the conversion. If your budget is limited we can help you save money by planning and designing your project around your budget. We would try to estimate the easiest way to obtain the results, which would be the most economic way to construct the loft conversion. Planning & Building RegulationsJarvis and Tattam have the experience to guide you with all the legalities of the project. We can either advise you on applications, or deal with them on your behalf. Generally, most loft conversions do not require planning permission, this is because you are allowed a certain amount of what's known as Permitted Development. The actual amount you can extend depends on your location, and / or whether any previous extensions have been carried out to your property. If you were to put a dormer window on a prominent elevation then you may need to obtain the necessary consent. If in any doubt, the Local Authority should be consulted to confirm exact requirements. The loft conversion must comply with local planning constraints, building regulations and structural requirements. In the event of Planning Consent being required then Draft 2 Design Ltd specialises in producing these plans for submission to the Local Council. Production of the plans would usually take up to 3 weeks from instruction, and the submission and approval stage usually takes another 6 - 8 weeks. Once planning has been obtained or if not required you will then need to have Building Regulation drawings produced and submitted to the council for approval. This is the necessary approval required as you are changing the use of the loft to Habitable. You may need the services of a Structural Engineer depending on the design required. In this event we can recommend a number of local Engineers. Production of the plans would usually take up to 3 weeks from instruction, and the submission and approval stage usually takes another 6 weeks. In most cases, you will need an architect. If you do, we recommend the services of Draft 2 Design Ltd, an architectural firm based in Hailsham. Building stageThe building stage itself will usually take anything from 6 weeks, to ten weeks or more, depending on complications. Prior to starting this process we would give you an idea how long the building work will take, and in most cases we will complete the project within this time frame. While the building stage will cause inevitable disruption to the lives of the occupants, we will always try to minimise this disruption to the absolute minimum. Most importantly, we will normally access the loft through the scaffolding, and for most of the time we will not require access through the front door of your house. Feel free to contact us for a free - no obliogation site survey and or quote. |
