Why have a loft conversion?

The main benefits and reason anyone would consider a loft conversion is to add space to an existing property. On average we add 2-3 extra rooms to a property with our loft conversions. These extra rooms are often but not exclusively bedrooms and or bathrooms. Converting your loft space adds valuable square footage to your home without the high costs of moving.

Another major benefit to carrying out a loft conversion is the value it will add to your property - it is estimated that adding a loft conversion can typically increase the value of your home by around 20% - making it a good investment if you ever come to sell the property. 

Additionally, by adding a loft conversion you are using an existing structure and maximising an area that is already there. This means there is no need to carry out expensive ground works or eat into any external land your property has.

At Webb Carpentry, we also feel that the price of a loft conversion is a benefit: in our experience, a loft conversion is usually cheaper than an extension but will still add approximately the same increase in value to your home.

in most loft conversion cases, planning permission is not required as it is considered to be a 'permitted development. However, planning may be required if you plan to alter or extend the current roof space of the property above a certain limit. 

With our many years of experience, we would be able to discuss with you whether you will require planning permission or not and if planning is required we can help arrange this for you.

Yes - is the simple answer! To ensure safety, building regulation approval is required on all loft conversions. There are four parts within the building regulations that are crucial to any loft conversion: part B, part K, part L and part P.

What does all this mean?

Part B - approval of all fire safety regulations within the converted loft.

Part K - ensures all areas within the inside of the loft keep people safe from falling.

Part L - covers the insulation aspect of your loft conversion.

Part P - the required certification for all electrical work carried out - at Webb Carpentry, we only use part P registered electricians so all electrical work is certified. 

Please don't worry if all this sounds complicated - we will take care of all the building regulations for you so you don't need to organise this yourself! 

In practical terms, you will need someone to provide architectural drawings for your loft conversion as these are needed for building regulation approval and construction drawings for the builders to work from - but a good architect will do so much more than this!

When thinking about a loft conversion finding a good architect is one of the first things you will need to do as they will be able to give you imaginative, practical advice and solutions on aspects of your loft conversion: what kind of staircase to use; how to minimise the amount of space you lose; making the most of the slopped areas of the roof and thinking about where the light will come into the conversion and at what time of day.