With an estimated 15% of home owners facing negative equity following the recent recession period, it's not surprising that so many are re-evaluating their present homes.
What was once a secure investment (and for many, a home was seen as just that) is now seen as somewhere desirable that you want to spend many happy years in.
This shift in peoples attitudes has led to a boom in property extensions including loft and garage conversions as homeowners start styling their homes to suit their particular requirements, rather than just seeing an improvement as increasing their investments re-sale value.
And just because there's a drop in property equity, doesn't mean people don't need more space.
With property values such that moving to get the space you want might mean a considerable drop in the sale price, leaving little or nothing as the deposit on that new home, it's no wonder that for those homeowners simply wanting more space, a loft conversion is proving particularly popular.
Loft conversions have benefited in the last couple of year from changes in the planning laws which mean that many conversions come under Permitted Development laws. Add to this the fact that a typical loft conversion creates little mess or disruption to the homeowner until the stairway is built to access the new room/s.
Loft conversions are cheaper than extending outwards and if you value your outdoor space, then you won't loose any garden with a loft conversion. All in all, a loft conversion is a very cost effective way of adding more room to your home, using space that is already there.
Not every loft is immediately suitable for a conversions, however, there are ways around this. Particularly if height is the problem. For example, the shape of the roof can be changed to incorporate a box dormer.
If your home has more modern trussed rafters (those W shaped roof beams visible in the attic), then again, this doesn't rule out a loft conversion but will make it more expensive as the construction is different to allow for the removal of the old trusses without compromising the strength of the roof itself. Your loft conversion company will be able to advise you further on what's required.
Finally, it's all too easy to simply view the conversion as just another room, but consider really going to town and making it a space as unique as your home is. Look through any homes magazine and you'll see stunning attics and lofts transformed with multiple skylights and en-suite fittings etc.
There will never be a better time to get your loft conversions exactly how you want it than when you're actually sitting down with your planner, laying out the space.
Always a good starting point - make sure you get a range of quotes from reputable companies. LoftQuoter can help by giving you a free online quote based on your own approximate measurements and requirements. After you've got your online quote, we can offer you the opportunity to have that quote confirmed in writing from our UK wide database of approved loft conversion companies.
LoftQuoter can offer you instant online quotes based on your own approximate measurements and style of home without the need for a salesman to call round.
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