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Converting a Loft to add value to your property

Converting a loft = adding value?

Converting a loft is one of the most useful ways to add value to your property, especially in areas such London where space is at a premium. However you could be wasting your money if you don’t get it right.

How Much Value Will It Add?

Research shows that adding a bedroom and bathroom by way of a loft conversion can add up to 20% to property value if you get it right.

According to BBC, average house price in Greater London was £260,764 in June 2009. In addition, Nationwide research showed that adding space to convert a two-bed into a three-bed in London adds an average 13.6 per cent to the value of a property. Although these numbers are very general, let’s take them as an example to see how much the property would be worth it after converting a loft.

Average house price in Greater London £260.764
Average loft conversion costs £24.000
Average added value in London 13.6%

£260.764 (current house value)

+ £35464.904 (13.6%)

= 296228.904 (property value with converted loft).

Now let’s take a loft conversion costs into consideration:

£35464.904 (added value)

-£ 24.000 (conversion cost)

=£11465 PROFIT

In this case a loft conversion wouldn’t cost you a penny as all expenses are covered by added value, and it just gets better: you would make over 11 thousand pound profit! However, many issues should be considered before converting a loft, failure to do that, can lead to financial catastrophe.

Remodeling Your Home – Suggestions Worth Considering

Your home is always ready for a transition when your children leave the house. But you can use your freshly found place and seclusion by remodeling your house into what you’ve always longed for. Perhaps its picking from possibility of Loft conversions types or just the addition of a bathroom or house extension.

However, you should recognise that this kind of undertaking can be very time consuming and expensive. Luckily, we developed some tips for you that will probably render the whole undertaking easier.

Establishing a fiscal plan before starting the work is really important. Be ready for the fact that your pipes and wiring are in all probability old enough that they necessitate complete removal and replacement. Talk to a few different contractors about this and discuss how much this job will cost.

Use a contractor you trust. Hiring a competent contractor requires time and homework. Consult friends and neighbors what contractors they used in the past. When you begin to narrow down your choices, ask for references. If a contractor performs first-class work, he’ll be glad to provide you with as many references as you wish. After you’ve decided on a contractor, make sure he can visualize your home improvement wants and money you are willing to spend. Bad communication can ruin your home remodeling undertaking. It is definitely a more serious matter the larger the project such as a loft conversion.

Put a lid on the dust storm. Plaster debris travels everywhere. To reduce it, keep your doors and windows shut. Wind will cause the dust to blow and distribute to other areas of the house. You can also cover carpet with rolls of heavy plastic. If you have paintings or sculptures in your house, it’s a good idea to protect them. Don’t take them to a basement or attic, since a change in temperature can cause damage. Instead, cover them with cardboard and then cover the cardboard with bubble-wrap.

Set Up an eating alternative. When your home is in the middle of construction, dining out might be the simplest solution. However this can become costly if you’re having extended restorations. If your kitchen is too occupied to use, consider setting a temporary kitchen away from the construction. After every work day, conduct a complete review of all the things completed during that day. Make sure that you are satisfied with every little detail because it can be quite difficult making changes once the project is finished, these changes should be done in the initial stages.

House restorations can be a serious undertaking. But if you know a few user-friendly tips, you can spare cash, worry and hassle. Now is the time to enjoy your new life and your different home.

Insulation is Not Just For Lofts But Garages Too

Insulate Your Garage And Save Money

You probably don’t think about garage insulation very often. Often time we think insulation only applies to loft conversions, attics and walls to help us save money on energy costs. You probably don’t think about garage insulation very often. You may think that since garages are unconditioned spaces, not heated or cooled, it does not makes sense to insulate them.

Or does it? There is little difference between the temperature of an uninsulated garage and the temperature outside. It does, however make a difference if the garage and the rest of the house share an uninsulated wall or ceiling. Also, it is possible for hazardous fumes from car exhaust, fertilizers and paints to enter your home.

By simply insulating the walls and ceiling shared by your garage and home, you can keep out harmful elements. There are many ways to insulate your garage, and choosing the right one is important.

Batt insulation, long a popular choice for insulating attics and walls, is often the first type of insulation homeowners think of when insulating. While the R-values (the rating of insulation performance) for batt insulation may be similar to other insulating materials, it is not the best choice for garages.

Batt insulation is usually installed in rolls, also known as batts. The rolls do not insulate gaps and spaces between ceiling and wall. The gaps allow toxic fumes to make way into your home and don’t stop energy from escaping. Batt insulation is also susceptible to damage from moisture, further reducing its insulating ability.

Foam boards and polystyrene offer good alternatives. The gaps between ceiling and wall are not, however, always properly insulated by foam board.

Only by completely sealing the walls and ceilings of your garage, you can be sure toxic fumes will stay out and energy will stay in. You can fill in all gaps by using spray foam garage insulation. Aside from having the same R-values, spray foam garage insulation is also water damage resistant.

With both decorative and practical functions, a fireplace log rack should accompany every fireplace. Before your wood is brought inside, make sure you use a firewood storage racks to properly dry and season the wood for burning.

So now don’t just think insulation applies only to lofts, attics and walls. It applies to your garage as well

Loft Conversions and Loft Ladders: Necessary Safety Measures

Depending on your loft conversion, there would be a need to install a loft ladder. They are quite a popular feature in many residences across the UK. These types of ladders give access to extra storage or living space that many home owners might need. Though most people are pretty aware of ladder safety if working outdoors or at a substantial height, they frequently neglect to adhere to the same safety practices when using a loft ladder or other variety of ladder indoors. Here’s a short reminder of some important safety notes for using loft ladders.

Loft Ladders – Fundamental Safe Use Standards

Always be sure that your loft ladder possesses the appropriate duty rating. While some ladders may appropriately support a person’s weight, they might not be rated to endure a person in addition to the weight of items being moved up or down the ladder. As a rule, select a loft ladder that comes with a light-duty rating only if you do not expect to place excess weight on it. If you need to bring heavy items up the ladder, make sure you hold them securely and are set for any unexpected shift in the load that could cause you to lose your balance. Though a loft ladder may seem safe to use, you shouldn’t do so if you suffer from a medical condition or are taking medicines that could impact the safe use of your ladder. Also, never operate any type of ladder if you are intoxicated by alcohol or illegal drugs.

More Safety Considerations for Loft Ladders

When climbing into your loft via your loft ladder, please use sturdy footwear that is dry, clean and free of materials like grease and oil which may cause you to slide. When considering shoes with laces, be sure they never dangle. Always strive to preserve three points of contact with a ladder, such as both your feet plus one arm or maybe both of your arms along with one foot. When climbing down from a loft ladder, specifically if you’re holding a large or cumbersome item, when you near the bottom, make the effort not to pass up the remaining or remaining pair of rungs. A fantastic concept is to never carry items that may weigh over around 25 kgs. In addition, never overreach. If you are not able to access a point from the loft ladder, contemplate a safer solution, such as some other form of ladder.

Loft Ladders – Remaining Measures

When climbing your loft ladder, keep yourself centred in between the stiles and maintain each foot on the same rung as much as possible. Do not ever lean excessively to the side. If you’re doing electrical work, under no circumstances do so while standing on a metal loft ladder. Engage a skilled electrician as a replacement who will use a secondary wood or fibreglass ladder. Do not throw or drop items whilst positioned on a ladder, simply because the transfer of weight could lead you to lose your balance. Be certain that the surface where the base of the ladder rests is clean, firm, and level. If at all possible, the foundation of each stile ought to have a non-slip substance applied.

Loft ladders are an excellent way to access more space in lots of UK houses, as long as they are utilized securely.

How Professionals Restore Fire Damaged Property

Dealing with a fire damaged home, loft or office is distressing. However, a good deal of stress can be taken away from the homeowner if they use their insurance payout to employ the services of a professional company which deals with repairs of fire damaged properties, making them safe once again for inhabiting.

Fire residues are subject to government regulations known as Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). This means that fire damaged buildings should be treated in accordance with these safety regulations and that professional companies are best placed to deal with the restoration.

As well as the visible damage, there will be toxic chemicals present in the fire damaged property. The chemicals stick to walls and other surfaces and are later released over days and weeks to be inhaled by anyone around. This is harmful to anyone but of course even worse for people with asthma. Poisonous chemicals must be removed before homeowners move back in and before builders can enter to carry out other repair work. This can easily be achieved by companies which specialise in restoring fire damaged property.

Another potential risk from fire damaged property is the potentially deadly asbestos. When a building is fire damaged, tiny asbestos fibres can be released from otherwise safe materials. If these fibres are inhaled serious respiratory problems and even cancer can ensue. Restoration companies can carry out safety tests on materials to ensure safety. Some asbestos materials will need to be removed by licensed asbestos contractors.

Of course, possessions as well as buildings can be fire damaged. Restorations companies can arrange for furniture to be repaired and restored as well as for clothing to be laundered. Electrical goods which have been fire damaged are not normally restored because associated costs often exceed replacement costs.

What you need to know before changing your roof

In every homeowners existence there comes a time that their roofing needs to be replaced. When it is time to replace your roof there occurs to be many inconveniences that arrive along with the job. Replacing your roofing is not anything that can be done in just a single day – unless it has a simply garage type property. Therefore, you have to have your home and your loved ones prepared for this type of inconvenience. The contractor will probably allow you know about what you can do to prepare your house for changing your roof.

This job requires professional intervention simply because they know exactly what they are doing. Before the work commence, you should know just a little something concerning the job.

Whenever you are getting your house roofing replaced, you have to consider all of the mess and the danger into consideration. Your company should seal away much from the room that is going to be used while you are replacing your roof. Be certain that everybody inside your loved ones understands about every thing that is certainly going on and that there might be some alterations for the few days that it consider for your roof to be replaced.

When your roof is being torn away you will have to use a garbage dumpster (skip) for the debris. There will be a lot of debris that is going to be coming away of your roofing. When a contractor is stripping off the old roof, it should go very orderly however; things can blow away. You should move all of your cars and any breakables that you need to avoid damaged from the debris that may blow out of the skip. Some people take this for granted. Prevention is better than cure.

It would be a polite thing to allow your neighbours in on what is certainly going on because it can get somewhat noisy. More so, the contractor may need to access their property to erect part of the scaffolding on their side in order to access your roof. If you have a detached house, there may be no need for this. When the old roofing is stripped, off and when the new roofing is becoming pounded lower, it is really a very noisy job. There is a great deal of people that prefer to leave their home when this is going on so they do not have to experience every the noise of inconvenience of it all.

Another point to consider when changing your roof is if it is worthwhile getting your loft converted at the same time. A loft conversion would be considerable cheaper then. If you see, the possibilities of an extension then look into planning permission and feasibility. Get a quote from your builder for the work and see if it is worth the savings, value and space it can add to your home.

Loft Conversion Requirements in the UK

Loft Conversions Requirements

With the cost of moving home running into many thousands of pounds, it’s not surprising that many families are opting to move up instead of moving on, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Converting your loft is certainly a job for the professionals, but if you get it right you not only gain a fabulous light-filled space, you could also get a handsome return on your investment when you sell. According to the FMB a loft extension can add up to 15% to the value of your property.

Can you stand up?

Is your loft suitable for conversion? The easiest way to tell is to see if you can stand upright at its highest point, as this needs to be at least 2.3m. Even if you can stand up, a dormer window extension will maximise headroom throughout the space. Planning requirements often mean that this is put at the back of the house so it doesn’t change the house’s appearance
from the street. For this reason, roof windows are commonly used at the front to provide light and ventilation.

Don’t get into hot water

Most people convert their loft to add an extra bedroom and bathroom to their home. The layout will largely be dictated by the position of the staircase and plumbing arrangements for the bathroom, as John Longworth, managing director of FMB London loft specialist John Dutton & Partners, explains: “It can be difficult to put the bathroom at the front of the house as you have to run a soil pipe to the back of the building where the existing bathrooms and toilets are situated. You’ll also need to consider the hot water and heating system. The boiler may not be capable of heating the extra space or providing enough hot water for the extra bathroom.”

It’s all in the planning

There are also structural considerations. New beams will be needed in the roof and in the new floor to take the floor weight and strengthen the roof when the existing rafters are removed. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached house this work will probably require a Party Wall agreement with your neighbours. This refers to walls, ceilings or floors which are shared with other properties. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has explanatory information for householders which is available free of charge (see contacts).

The good news is that planning permission is not always necessary, but as with any extension work, you should contact your local planning office and ask if the work can be done within what is known as, permitted development. If the house hasn’t been extended since 1948 this is likely to be the case, but you must find out in advance. Even if your house has not been extended since 1948, you may be next door to a listed building. In some areas this means you will need permission for any changes which affect the appearance of neighbouring listed properties. If planning permission is required and you don’t apply, the authorities can make you remove the extension and return the building to its original state.

All loft conversions must meet Building Regulations. Your architect and structural engineer should be up to date with these but it is best to submit full plans to your local authority building control department so they can advise on any changes
needed before work begins. One of the key areas when adding another storey to a property are the fire precautions required. Upgrading the fire resistance of existing ceilings and doors is usually necessary. Recent changes to Building Regulations require high levels of insulation, which will keep your extension warm in winter and prevent overheating in summer.

What on earth do you want?

A loft conversion is a major job and you will need to get architectural plans drawn up. Make sure you know what you want so that you can brief your architect. Are you considering more than one room? Do you want to include a bathroom and if so are you content with a shower or do you need enough space for a bath? What are the rooms to be used for? Have you thought about storage space?

At this stage it is also worth spending time thinking about lighting and other electrical requirements – if you are going to use the loft as a study you are likely to need more electrical sockets, for example.

Check out the builder

Make sure they are experienced in loft conversion work. Even if you have to compromise on the layout due to structural or cost considerations, many obstacles can be worked round if you really want a particular design. If you are using a building company specialising in this work they may supply drawings, but you may prefer to use an architect to prepare them and ask three builders to quote for the job against these plans. This will give you a better idea as to which company offers best value for money. But remember cost and value is not the same thing. Check out the builder, look at previous work and talk to past clients to find out if they were happy with the quality of their jobs and the way in which they were carried out.

Protect yourself

The cost of the job will vary depending on its complexity and where you live. A straightforward loft conversion for a three bedroom Victorian house in London will start from £30,000 whereas the same job in Lancashire would be around £20,000. If you are investing this much it makes sense toinsure the work. MasterBond is an insurance-backed warranty that doesn’t cost the earth – just £150 per £10,000-worth of work – but does provide the extra reassurance you need if something should go wrong while work is in progress and for 10 years afterwards. North West FMB member, Loft Solutions, includes MasterBond cover in all their projects, as sales director, John Siddeley explains: “We are proud of our work and have lots of satisfied customers, but they are happy topay a few hundred pounds more for peace of mind. And if they sell their house, the warranty is transferred to the new owner which is a very good selling point.”

Use the professionals

Finding a professional company to convert your loft needn’t be a problem. With some 13,000 vetted builders throughout the UK, the FMB’s website, www.findabuilder.co.uk is a good place to start, or get a recommendation from friends and relatives who have had a loft conversion. But be sure to ask any builder how they will access the loft for the early stages of the work.
A good builder will erect scaffolding and bring in all structural materials through the roof. By the time they cut the stairwell out and install the staircase, the new room will be structurally complete and ready to be plastered. Some companies cut costs by taking everything through the house, but this can cause a lot of damage and aggravation.

Contacts:

FMB – www.findabuilder.co.uk
or call 08000 152522 for a free copy of The Essential Guide to Home Improvement.
ODPM – www.odpm.gov.uk 0870 1226236
Local Authority Building Control– www.labc-services.co.uk 020 7641 8737
Building Control Northern Ireland– www.buildingcontrol.org
RIBA – (Royal Institute of British Architects) – www.riba.org 020 7580 5533
RIAS – (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) www.rias.org.uk 0131 229 7545
RICS – (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) www.rics.org.uk 0870 333 1600 or www.rics-scotland.org.uk 0131 225 7078
Heating and boilers – Corgi (Council for Registered Gas Installers) http://www.trustcorgi.com/Pages/index.html 01256 372200
Roof windows – www.velux.co.uk 0870 166 7676

Top tips for lofts

Do contact your local authority building control and your local planning department to get a full understanding of the rules and regulations.
Do get in the professionals – you will need an architect and structural engineer, plumbing and heating advice and at least three quotes from reputable builders.
Do consider a warranty, like the FMB’s MasterBond, to protect your investment
Do make sure your builder and designer explain any changes necessary to your existing house to upgrade its fire precaution.
Do be flexible – you may need to compromise on the position of roof windows and dormers, for example.
Don’t ignore a party wall – you may need an agreement with your neighbours if you are affecting it in anyway
Don’t rush your decisions, plan carefully this is an important investment
Don’t expect this to be over within a week or two – however good your builder
is – this is a major job and it will inevitably be disruptive for a while.

LLAC-London Lofts and Construction is a listed member of the Federation of Master Builders.

Article source: http://www.buildingarticles.co.uk /article.cfm?aID= 7

How much will a loft conversion cost – Questions and Answers

Planning Permission

Although in most cases planning permission is not required, if you live in a listed building or conservation area you will have to gain specific planning permission from your local authority. Planning permission is also required for mansard and Hip to gamble conversions. If you would like to know more contact us for free advice

Permission to build

Having the planning permission can add value to the property, even if you don’t carry out the loft conversion. However if you do have sufficient funds it is often better to carry out the work as buyers often have problems visualizing plans.

Ensure you do not end up with a glorified storage room

To be classed as a living space, such as an extra bedroom it is essential that the loft conversion has a proper staircase. Stable staircase leading up to the loft, is the first thing your loft will need to have, in order for it to add value to the property. If you want the loft conversion to be viewed as an additional room, the staircase will need to be part of the house and will not be allowed to be temporary. Bear in mind that it should not look or feel like an add-on because it’s a staircase that makes a conversion appear as it is part of the original house.

Insulation

Make sure the walls in the loft are structurally sound and form part of your property. They will need to be permanent walls and built into the property. You will also need to make sure that the room is fully functional and you have electricity and electrical sockets in the loft. It doesn’t matter if your loft extension is not furnished, in fact this could even work in your benefit, but you need to show that it can function as a bedroom or whatever the new occupier intends.

Consider a bathroom
If you are increasing your property to four or five bedrooms consider adding an ensuite shower room as people will expect two bathrooms in a house this size.

Central Heating

Nowadays, central heating is considered a standard feature and will not add much value, however, not having central heating causes an average 7 per cent lower value of the property.

Other things to consider

According to Nationwide Location is the key factor in house price. A house in the best neighborhood can command a price a third higher than a similar house in an ‘average area’.

If you are a property developer looking to make some profit from the property, then contacting local estate agents should be your first move when making decision on a renovation, as they will be able to tell you what the local market demands.

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