How to Convert a Loft: What to Consider

When it comes to converting your loft space, there are many things to consider before you get started. Converting your roof space is a big undertaking that will require significant financial input and possibly lots of disruption in your home.

Most loft conversions take around 10-12 weeks to complete. A typical loft conversion will cost approximately £40,000, but the price and time it takes can vary hugely depending on your location and the type of loft you decide upon.

Before you go ahead with a loft conversion, it’s good to do lots of planning and research and ensure that you have considered all the different aspects of the project before you begin.

Here is a handy list of things to consider to help ensure you have taken everything into account.

Loft Conversions - What Are The Considerations?

Available Space

Evaluate the loft space before you begin. Understanding how much space you have to play with will impact how you design your room. Perhaps you’ll create another bedroom, or you might want two. Will you have a new bathroom fitted alongside the new room(s)? These are all big and important decisions, and the space will determine exactly what you’ll be able to do and how spacious each new room is.

Budget

Of course, budget plays a massive role in determining what you’ll be able to do with your loft conversion. The most straightforward modifications still cost tens of thousands of pounds, while more complex transformations involving raising the roof, installing new electrics, and installing a bathroom suite will naturally be more demanding on your bank balance. You need to determine what fits in with your budget and then get quotes from many different companies to get the best price, as these can vary greatly.

Check out our guide to find out how much your loft conversion will cost.

Building Regulations

You will likely need planning permission to convert your loft. If you aren’t sure, it’s best to contact your local authority to check the rules and comply with any before you begin. Your loft will also likely have to pass building regulations checks after the work has been finished too, so make sure the building company you employ includes making sure the work passes and is signed off by building regulations in your contract.

Refer to our FAQ here, to find out more about what planning permission you might need for your loft conversion.

Adding Value to the Property

Most loft conversions will pay for themselves in the value they add to your home. Have a look at what houses similar to yours sell for if they have converted lofts to work out how much more could be added to the sale price of your property should you decide to go ahead. This will give you a good indication of what you can spend to ensure you get your money’s worth.

Read our previous guide to find other ideas on how to add value to your home.

Conversion Type and Design

There are lots of different types of loft conversions to choose from, including boarding and insulating, including a roof light, a dormer conversion, hip to gable, gable to gable, or mansard conversions - each of these will affect the space you end up with, the cost of the transformation and the added value.

Getting the design right is also essential. Think about storage space, lighting (both natural light and electrical light), heating (including radiator placement and insulation), and electrics such as socket placements. Remember to consider the roof slope and think about where your furniture will go, which way doors and windows will open, and how you’ll move about your room comfortably to ensure you get the design right and everything in the correct place.

Head to our guide to find loft conversion ideas for inspiration when planning your loft conversion.

Your Existing Roof

Before you start a loft conversion, you should consider your roof elevation. Less than 30 degrees pitch is not recommended. Supporting struts can be used on the roof or in the new room to help ensure your roof remains stable.

Stairs Guidelines

When converting your loft, you need to ensure you install the correct staircase to allow you to access it. If you are fully converting your loft, stairs guidelines need to be followed to ensure you pass building regulations, including the minimum width of 36 inches. A space-saving staircase could be the solution if you are tight on space. If you are not changing the loft structure, you may be able to choose a loft ladder to access the area. Electric loft ladders are a popular choice if you want easy access to your loft that can be stored out of the way when not in use.

Disruption and Downtime

Finally, make sure you know the disruption a loft conversion could cause to your home. The disruption tends to escalate in parallel to how extensive the loft conversion will be. A straightforward loft conversion that doesn’t require a change to the space or structure will be minimally disruptive. However, a more significant transformation that requires raising the roofline will take longer and can be more disruptive to your life at home with teams of builders and lots of dust and noise. It’s also worth remembering that you’ll need to find new homes for anything you currently have stored in your loft while the work takes place.

We’ve answered your common questions on how long a loft conversion will take, here.

View our range of Loft Centre products