Although having a loft conversion seems like a savvy, exciting new venture for your home – and it is – there are things that should be considered beforehand to ensure that it is suitable for your house and that it is practically possible. As you can imagine, loft conversions can be quite complex, especially as every loft is different. In order to convert a loft, it has to meet certain requirements, for example in terms of size and measurements.
Whilst loft conversions provide such great benefits to you and your home, and make better use of existing space, we thought we would tell you about a few things you need to consider before having a loft conversion…
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Do you have planning permission?
This is very important, as sometimes there are restrictions in what you can and can’t do with your property. To be able to convert your loft, you may need planning permission or a warrant to do so. If you are unsure, the best thing to do is contact your local authority to find out whether or not you have the correct planning permission. If you don’t, you will then be able to apply for the planning permission before the conversion goes ahead. This is important as some homes may not be built in a way that is able to withstand a loft conversion, therefore making it unsafe.
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Do you have enough roof space?
This is another thing that is very important to consider before you go ahead with planning a loft conversion. In order for the conversion to be practical, there needs to be enough roof space. Otherwise, you simply would not be able to convert the room into anything as you would not be able to use it. For example, a lot of people have loft conversions to make a new bedroom. However, if you do not have enough roof space, this area will not accommodate for your intentions.
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Are you insured?
Depending on the extent of your loft conversion, and what you intend to do with the space, this could potentially impact your insurance. Furthermore, the changes you make may mean that you would no longer be properly insured. Therefore, you should contact your insurance company to inform them and enquire. If your insurance will not cover your new loft conversion, you may need to switch or upgrade.
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Is it a suitable living space?
More often than not, when somebody has a loft conversion, it is to make better use of the space and give the area a more practical function. For example, a lot of people convert their loft into things like a new bedroom, or a home office. In order to do this, the area needs to be a suitable living space, appropriate for you to use like any other room in the house, as opposed to it just being a storage area. This includes things like there being enough space, it being well insulated, and a generally practical space to convert.
If you would like to know more or have any questions about getting a loft conversion, simply get in touch with us via our contact page and we will be more than happy to help.
