| There are so many different things to consider when | | | | is to ensure that measures are taken to enable |
| it comes to loft/attic conversions. It's a pretty major | | | | existing floor to take increased load. This is where |
| undertaking so the first thing to consider is exactly | | | | builders expertise comes in handy. Once this and any |
| how much upheaval such a development will cause. Is | | | | other structural work has been done, the majority of |
| the loft hatch is located in a bedroom? If so you will | | | | the rest of the work is cosmetic and can be done by |
| most likely need to make alternative sleeping | | | | you eg. Insulation, decoration etc. |
| arrangements during the building work, and you may | | | | Planning Permission |
| also need to move or cover clothing and furniture | | | | The need for planning approval and permissions varies |
| located in the bedroom as they are likely to get | | | | for council to council so make sure you know exactly |
| covered in dust and debris. | | | | what is required of you before you proceed with |
| Access to the loft | | | | your loft conversion. If your home is a listed building |
| Depending what the newly converted loft will be | | | | you will almost certainly require planning approval but |
| used for, you might also need to look at relocating | | | | some newer homes will not require any sort of |
| the loft entrance. If the new conversion is to be | | | | planning permission at all. Certain regulations may also |
| used for general storage purposes then access via a | | | | apply to the fitting of a skylight to an existing roof |
| bedroom might be OK but if the loft is being | | | | so, again, make sure you know what is required. |
| converted into additional living space or a bedroom, | | | | Materials |
| the access will require further planning, and in some | | | | There's a huge variety of materials available for loft |
| instances the construction of an additional static | | | | conversions, and you can make some significant |
| staircase. | | | | savings by sourcing them yourself. Loft hatches |
| DIY or Builders | | | | come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, as do skylights, |
| The next consideration is whether to take on the | | | | loft ladders, loft hatch accessories etc. You can buy |
| project yourself, whether you should enlist the help | | | | most of these products online or through a builder's |
| of professional builders or loft converters, or whether | | | | merchant, and most of them can be custom fitted |
| you do a combination of the two. In my opinion it's | | | | to your exact specifications. If you have a particular |
| always advisable to hire professional builders for any | | | | staircase in mind there are specialist suppliers who |
| sizeable home improvement project regardless of | | | | can either build one to your requirement, or for a |
| how handy you are. The main justification of this is | | | | cheaper option you could buy off the shelf and have |
| that any structural damage caused by your DIY | | | | your builders create your loft entrance to fit. If you |
| efforts will cost as much or more to put right than it | | | | decide to source materials yourself, make sure you |
| would've cost to hire professionals to do the job in | | | | ask advice and be sure to shop around for the best |
| the first place. The main factor in any loft conversion | | | | price. |