Why Are Loft Conversions So Popular?

Quality loft conversions can be a really good alternative to moving house if you are looking for an extra room. In an area like London where the housing market is constantly changing, so you could be taking a big financial risk if you decide to move home just for one more room in the current climate. (With the additional costs of stamp duty, increased mortgages, conveyencing fees and paying removal companies it can really be expensive|Not forgetting all of the usual moving costs such as a bigger mortgage, stamp duty, normal removal expenses and solicitors fees it can really mount up|Then there are the costs which are always associated with moving home such as removals, the cost of hiring a solicitor, higher mortgage payments and stamp duty}.


What do you do if you really need that additional living space? A loft conversion is a very good idea as it will meet your requirements for that other room and it will add value to your precious home. In a recent survey conducted by the Alliance and Leicester building society it was revealed that a professional loft conversion can add as much as £40,000 to the value of your house.There is also no need to move home with all the upheaval and extra costs associated with moving.


A recent 2008 relaxation of the planning laws has lead to many people undertaking loft conversions. What it means is that the majority of loft conversions don’t require formal planning permission but instead can be constructed under a term called “permitted development”. Although the planning law is relaxed this doesn’t mean the building regulations have been to and they must be adhered to for living space.


When considering a loft conversion price will obviously be a factor. But you need to be careful here as an inferior conversion will not add value to your home and may even decrease it. Estate agents view conversions with temporary staircases as adding very little value so ensure that you use a quality company who will advise on permanent staircases. Paying for a professionally designed and constructed job may seem painful now but it will pay back in spades when you come to sell your property.


What kind of advantages does a loft conversion offer over a normal house extension project? The advantages are numerous. Whatever kind of house that you own it is very likely that it will be suitable for a loft conversion. A loft conversion should be much less expensive than a traditional extension plus you won’t have to give up any of your nice garden space. Most home extensions will require planning permission which can take months whereas a loft conversion will probably not. Time required to plan and build a quality loft conversion should be significantly less than that required to plan and build an extension which is a major advantage when you consider that you won’t have parties of construction workers cluttering up your home for what seems like a lifetime .


With an installation of solar panels you will be helping the environment by using the panels to generate electricity and hot water too. This will also decrease your fuel bills too. If you choose the solar panel route to generate electricity then you will be eligible for incentives from the government for this and water incentives are also planned.


The cost of your loft conversion will depend on a number of factors such as the size of your loft, structural requirements, whether existing water tanks need to be moved or replaced, floor structure requirements and so on. Whatever the final price it should always be a good investment.



There are many advantages to choosing a loft conversion if a quality solution is sought. To find out more about quality loft conversions visit this link loft conversions London.