Whether you’re making room for a new arrival to the family or you’re on the lookout for some extra space, a loft conversion could be the answer. It might not be a small project in terms of time or cost, but this type of home improvement could ultimately save you from having to move house. When it does come to moving on, you should find that a smart loft conversion has added more value on to your selling price.
There are a few important things to consider before going ahead with a loft conversion.
Purpose
Let’s start with a biggie: what’s the purpose of your loft conversion? The reason that loft conversions prove so appealing to many home improvers is that they transform dead space into living space. If you’re unsure how to maximise the space granted by a loft conversion, then Love Renovate have a few examples of how to approach this particular project.
For an expanding family, finding that extra space inside an existing home can make all the difference. If you are confident that you can balance the rigours of preparing for a baby and undergoing home improvements, then a loft conversion could provide some much-needed additional room.
We’re not suggesting that you’d place a newborn baby in a loft conversion, don’t worry! The attic could be perfect for an older child to make their own, or you could designate the loft as an ‘adults-only’ area – perhaps this could be the games room that someone’s been going on about for ages, or a TV den for when you need to relax.
Headroom
Sure, you might have an empty loft space that’s just begging to be converted, but have you considered how much headroom you need? Your roof pitch may be too shallow to comfortably stand up in, in which case you’re going to need to alter the pitch of it. Altering the pitch means removing the existing roof and putting a newly designed one on, which might sound drastic, but it gives a good opportunity to visit a site like carolinahomespecialists.com/areas-we-serve/lexington-nc/ and get roofers to fit your new roof for you. You can choose everything from the style of tiles to the type of skylights that you want – so if you have no outdoor space for an extension but you can build upwards, it will make the project entirely worth it.
Money
We’ve all seen those Grand Designs episodes where renovation costs keep escalating and the homeowners end up vastly exceeding their budget – it feels like that’s pretty much every episode! It’s easier to keep smaller home improvements in check, but never undertake a loft conversion without the ability to comfortably finance the project.
Make sure you explore different avenues for financial assistance to allow you to deliver the perfect loft conversion. If you’re searching for additional funds to finance the conversion, then remortgaging for home improvements could be the solution. A mortgage advisor like Trussle can help you find the best remortgage deals around to ensure you’re borrowing at the best rate possible.
While this can increase your mortgage payments in the longer term, remortgaging can provide the short-term cash boost that allows you to complete your home improvements. Crucially, the right home improvement can add value on to your house. Loft conversions commonly cost between 10,000 and 40,000, but they could add more than that to your house valuation.
Style
It is important to consider the style of your loft conversion, as this will ultimately determine the final value that is added on to your house. Deciding whether dormers are necessary will largely depend on the shape and size of your loft. Check out the 12 ideas provided by Houzz if you’re looking for loft conversion inspiration, as their suggestions cover everything from simple bedrooms with low-level roof lights to grand mezzanine spaces.
If you’re looking for a simple solution on a budget, you can choose not to install dormers and leave the existing space as one open-plan room. While you may need to tidy up the floor and add new lighting, allowing the original roof and walls to remain intact can reduce costs while creating a charming rustic feel.
It’s always worth considering how you can maximise your attic space without the need for renovation, whether optimising storage solutions or adding lighting to create a reading den. If you are able to make a bigger transformation, then a loft conversion could effectively give you a brand-new room within the existing walls of your home.