Are you considering a Roof Conversion?
Do you require extra living space but don’t want to go through the hassle of moving to another house?
Perhaps you need another bedroom for the kids, a home office or you simply want to add value to your home. Loft conversions can be an easy and cost effective way to create extra living space by converting the attic or area beneath the roof. Whether you plan to do-it-yourself or call in the professionals there are several things you’ll need to consider before embarking on your loft conversion. You should thoroughly check your local authorities planning permissions and building regulations. While loft conversions are regarded as a permitted development (requiring no additional permission) there are restrictions on the minimum volume of roof space and how much you can modify the existing roofline of the house.
If your loft is presently housing bats (a protected species) you may need to undertake a survey and get a special licence! Even if you plan to do most of the work yourself, it’s in your best interest to hire a professional structural engineer and architect.
A structural engineer will determine what you must do to ensure that any work you do is structurally sound and will advise the best way to proceed.
An architect will translate your desired outcome into a practical drawing and project and will have invaluable device about how various types of rooms work and what they require. In addition an architect will have experience in dealing with the local council and other regulatory bodies, such as the UK planning permission service – this can save you considerable time.
If you decide to use a builder make sure that you choose a professional with a good reputation. As a rule of thumb you should get at least three quotes from reputable firms and ask for references from existing customers. Remember that the cheapest quote may not be the best one: make sure the builder understands all your requirements and that they are included in the quote. You may also want to ask the builder about his roofing experience, after all those finishing dry verge touches will add that touch of perfection to your finished loft or roof conversion.
Tags: Dry Verge, loft conversion, loft conversion planning, move roof ridge, pitch roof ridge, planning permission for loft conversions, planning permission for roofs, plastic dry verge, ridge tile, ridge tile dry verge, roof conversion, roofline, uk planning for roofs