Getting a loft conversion rather than moving house.

More of us than ever before are staying put in our homes and extending them, rather than moving house. Over the last few years, applications for planning permission have more than doubled, with homeowners now making up around 53 per cent of the planning authority’s total workload.

There is no doubt that adding extra space to your home automatically adds value, and back in 2008, loft conversions came out top in a research report by Nationwide, adding a massive 21 per cent on to the value of your property! New techniques in loft conversions also mean that previously inaccessible roof spaces, such as trussed roofs, can now be converted – so there is no excuse!

Here's how a typical loft conversion would proceed:

One – What type of roof do you have? The first thing to do when thinking about converting the loft is to have a good look at it – the type of roof you have will determine what can be done with the space. Single roofs – with a triangle of rafters and joists at the bottom are the easiest to convert, but sadly are the least common type! Purlin or double roofs are most common and next easiest to convert – these have timbers running horizontally to support the rafters and V-shaped struts at intervals across the roof. Trussed or ‘W’ roofs were previously impossible to convert, as they were too complex to create a workable space. However, new load-bearing techniques mean that even trussed roofs can now be converted! All roof types must have a minimum height of 2.3 metres to be suitable for conversion.

Two – Planning permission. Do you need to comply with planning permission or any building regulations? This should all be covered before you go ahead with the conversion. Your chosen loft conversion company will probably be able to help with submitting plans and getting permission as part of their completing the conversion for you. They'll know exactly what's required by way of plans and drawings, specifications and building materials to comply with the latest guidelines.

With a loft conversion, you won’t usually need planning permission. Under new laws, homeowners can convert garages and lofts, build extensions and install solar panels and wind turbines without permission, as long as they don’t impact on the neighbours. However any large extensions – over 15 per cent of the overall property size – will still need permission, as will listed buildings and houses in conservation areas. Most objections will relate to concerns over loss of privacy, loss of daylight or noise disturbance. If in doubt, check with your local planning authority before proceeding.

Building regulations apply to all renovations and all work carried out will need to be inspected by the Building Control Surveyor on a regular basis. They will provide you with all the necessary certificates which must go into your HIPs pack when you sell. Building regulations apply to things like structural stability, fire escapes, resistance to fire and damp, ventilation, stairways and insulation.

Three – Time to call the professionals. A professional loft conversion company is a must – they will plan out your whole design for you, and will know what will work best in the space you have. Specialists will also take care of all the paperwork for you when it comes to dealing with planners and building inspectors, and will sign it all off for you to include in your HIPs pack. It is important to shop around for loft specialists – always try to get at least three quotes to compare costs and ideas and try to see examples of their previous work. A loft conversion is a massive undertaking, so make sure you agree everything with your builder – timescales, cleanup processes (you don’t want to live in mess for the duration!) and also check they're insured.

Four – Your loft conversion begins to take shape. Once you have satisfied the planners and regulators, it’s time for the professionals to get going! Depending on the type of loft conversion you have, it could take anything from four to eight weeks to complete.

For the first half of the build, contractors are going to need to access the loft from the outside of the roof, and may need to erect scaffolding – it’s important to tell your neighbours when this is going to happen and for how long – you don’t want to be falling out! The existing joists in your roof will usually not be strong enough to support a habitable room – one that can hold people and furniture – so they will have to be replaced with steel joists. Anything else structural such as roof windows or partition walls will need to be added in the first round of building, so you need to think about these early on. Once the initial structure is in place, builders will turn to installing staircases, electrics and plumbing.

Loft conversions in trussed roofs will be using techniques specifically designed for converting previously inaccessible spaces. These work on a ‘Load-Sharing’ system, where two new steel beams help the individual roof truss carry its original load plus the additional floor load as a result of the conversion. The beams will be cut to the span of the building and stretch from outside wall to outside wall with no internal support. These new systems usually only require three rows of roof tiles to be removed in order to insert the beams – which means minimum disruption!

Five – The finishing touches. Get out those paint brushes - your new room should feel like part of your existing house, so that when it comes to selling, you can then sell as a three-storey property, adding extra value! If you don’t have a lot of room on your landing, you could always look at spiral staircases or alternate-tread stairs in the design, which save space. A loft ladder doesn't count as proper access and would mean you couldn't sell your home with the loft room featured as an actual bedroom.

There are lots of high tech gadgets around which can make your new loft extra special – you could install remote-controlled windows high up in the rafters, or even roof domes which create light and headroom. Roof windows will need special blinds as they are fitted at an angle, and it is important to remember that there is nothing to block the sunlight up there – so screen your windows well if you don’t want your furniture to fade. When furnishing you loft, there are lots of specialist companies who will make low-rise furniture to fit the space. This will make the room appear taller and less cluttered. Also remember there isn’t as much headroom in a loft. Bare this in mind when positioning beds and chairs – you don’t want to keep banging your head!

Loftquoter.co.uk can help you find quotes for all types of loft conversions, in all types of roofs, both conventional and trussed loft spaces and let you see real homeowner feedback on the loft conversion companies around your area.

Lofty Ambitions: The Perfect Bond Baddy Laboratory

Most people don’t take advantage of their loft space. Either it’s left bare, for the spiders and the moths to look after, or it’s used as storage for all the things that are just waiting to be taken to the Antiques Roadshow – or to the tip.

Your loft could be so much more, though. With a little effort, and the help of LoftQuoter.co.uk, it could in fact become your very own secret Bond Baddy Laboratory. To make this happen, first of all we should examine what all those hideouts have in common.

• Secrecy. A good lab is private, so that the evil master contained within can hatch plans for world domination without pesky and irritating disturbances – particularly from that 007 chap. While laser tripwires and alarm systems are probably overkill for the average household, a concealed entrance (or at least a staircase disguised as an airing cupboard) and a bit of soundproofing (a.k.a. carpet) will go a long way towards keeping out vigilantes and Secret Service Operatives.


• Evil Furniture. What good is having a secret laboratory if you can’t casually spin your chair around and say ‘Good Evening, Mr. Bond’ when your arch-nemesis comes storming in? A large desk and a comfortable swivelling chair are musts, and how about dedicating one wall to a projection screen that can double up as a home cinema – providing an excellent cover story when the authorities come knocking.


• Escape Route. Having given away all your schemes to a hero in captivity, when the master plan is foiled, a self-respecting villain needs to be able to make a quick and effective escape without being caught by the authorities. Ideally this would take the form of a lift down to an underground garage with a getaway Aston Martin standing at the ready – but since the lift might be busy, and building regulations require an adequate fire escape route from a converted loft anyway, you might as well take the stairs.


• Gadgets. Lasers! Lights! Buttons! TV Screens! All good secret lairs have them, and failing that, a train set or Scalectrix track wouldn’t go down badly…


• Shark Tank. Actually, best not.

As you can see, planning your secret hideaway need not be torturous. You don’t have to have a Goldfinger, and there’s no reason to resort to an island resort. A loft (and a fertile imagination) is all that’s required for utter world domination.

Whether your loft conversion comes From Mother With Love or On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, it can still get you a Quantum of Solitude and A View To The Garden. Get an instant online quote, For Your Eyes Only, from LoftQuoter.co.uk – it takes less than 007 minutes, and could save you a Money Penny. After all, You Only Live Twice

Use your loft for more than storing the Xmas Tree

Lofts provide a fantastic light and airy living space plus, in some cases, wonderful views of the local village or countryside. But too many home owners across the UK have forgotten about their lofts and are using them simply to store dusty boxes and unwanted items.

Remember our new quoter website LoftQuoter gives you instant online quotes for a loft conversion without the need for a salesman to call. Try LoftQuoter today.

Loft conversions not only add space inside a house but can also add an attractive dimension to the outside. Dormer windows with a pitched roof can blend in with any colour and style of house but adds that extra bit of character – removing the need for low, sloping ceiling that can put some people off loft conversions.

Loft conversions make fantastic bedrooms as they offer generous space, high ceilings and make great sun-catchers. En-suites or dressing rooms can easily be included, making the room very private – ideal for Mum and Dad or as a guest room.

Lofts provide very sleek and airy spaces, so consider including ‘Velux’ windows and spot lights to keep out unnecessary clutter. Staircases are also custom built to use up as little space as possible.

If you’ve always wanted fitted wardrobes now is the perfect opportunity. Furniture can be custom built to fit under any shaped ceiling and is specifically designed to make the most of available space. And, if you’re still not convinced just think of that view over trees and neighbouring houses.

Remember our new quoter website LoftQuoter can help you find local quotes and loft conversion companies and give you an instant online quote without the need for a salesman to call.

Loft Conversion Quoter - instant online loft conversion quotes website service goes live

Loft conversion quotes - now online!

Yes it's true. After the final development stages were completed and online testing, we're very pleased to announce the 'arrival' of our newest home improvement online 'quoter website - Loft Quoter - instant online quotes for your loft conversion.

In keeping with our other online home improvement quote websites, you simply click on your area of the UK map, enter your address details and then type in the dimensions of your home. Select the layout of your existing roof and add options like en-suite bathrooms etc and our clever online technology will give you a 'ball park figure' for the work you've specified.

With more and more home-owners choosing to stay put and expand or build upon what they alreadyhave rather than move home, a loft conversion is becoming an ever increasingly popular option.

However, in the past, many new properties with trussed roofs (modern truss roofs resemble inverted 'W's and make the loft space very complicated to enter and move around in) were unable to have their lofts converted.

New techniques mean that now, even homeowners with newer trussed roofs can still have their lofts converted and our Loft Quoter provides online quotes for these types of roof as well.

So now there really is nothing stopping you. Our online quote service is completely free - you won't be pestered by unwanted door step salesmen and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home.

Visit LoftQuoter now and get your instant online loft conversion quote in minutes.