Loft conversions are one of the most common home improvement projects by homeowners in the UK. They’re an easy way to expand the home and ease pressure on other parts of the home. They are an especially great solution for properties in urban areas or for properties where a two-storey extension isn’t financially feasible.
The cost of loft conversions varies from £15,000 to £50,000, with the lowest cost being a single ‘room-in-the-roof’ conversion and the most costly being the ready-made room. The ready-made room is manufactured off-site. It is transported as a complete unit and craned into position.
Loft conversions are a great option as you simply only need to adhere to Building Regulations. You will need approval from Building Regulations. This process involves having your conversion inspected at various stages by a building control surveyor. This surveyor will issue you with a completion certificate when after the final inspection. If you live in a designated area or a listed building, you will need to seek planning permission to proceed to converting a loft.
Some other factors you should consider in converting your loft include the existing roof structure, the need for installing a new staircase, ventilation of the room, lighting and heating.
What is the cost of a loft conversion?
There are various factors that influence the cost of a loft conversion. These include the existing roof structure and the extent of remodelling work.
Many homeowners are discouraged by the cost of loft conversions. A double-room loft, for example, can easily cost £20,000. Many homeowners have been known to exceed £50,000 in converting their lofts. This is especially the case when upgrade work such as plumbing and electrical are required.
Loft conversion can also become a drawn-out project. It is important to account for time as well as possible delays that often occur at any phase of the project.
Your budget should be guided by the size of the space as well as the type of work you want to be done. In general, £15,000 to £20,000 is a good amount to set aside for the completion of such a project.
Common problems homeowners encounter with loft conversions
Homeowners encounter various setbacks during the installation of a loft space in the home. These include issues with materials, meeting permit requirements, construction delays and the need for foundation work.
Many of the issues that arise are linked to the age of the home. Others occur as a result of not meeting permitting requirements prior to commencing the construction. There are times when issues result from not having enough money to continue with the project. In this last case, you may have to put the construction on hold until you source the funds.
Keeping loft conversions comfortable
The installation of a loft in the home increases the heat load requirement of the home. You may therefore need to consider upgrading your boiler. However, if your loft space is well insulated, the requirements on your boiler won’t increase significantly enough to warrant an upgrade. In fact, your loft may improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.
You may want to consider heat emitters for the loft space. This may include options such as underfloor heating, radiators or both. Underfloor heating mats are a good option for bathrooms.
Insulating loft conversions
The ‘cold roof’ method is the most straightforward way to insulate a loft conversion. It involves using 70 millimetres thick slab foam as insulation to fill the spaces between the roof rafters. There should be a 50mm space between the insulation and the roofing felt to maintain ventilation through the roof as well as the soffit vents
A 30mm insulation slab is also attached on the inside surface of the rafters. This provides total insulation of 100mm. In cases where rafter thickness is less than 120 millimetres, batten may be used along the rafter to provide a 50mm spacing as well as insulation of 70mm.
300mm mineral wool (Rockwool) insulation or 150mm slab foam insulation (e.g. Celotex) should be used for the roof section. The slab foam is installed over the roof rafters as well as over the capping. This is followed by tiles and tile battens.
Adding a bathroom
If you’re thinking of adding a bathroom to your loft, consider the location of the existing services. The addition of water supplies is often straightforward as these can be branched off the existing plumbing system. Flexible plastic plumbing may be used through joists.
Venting of existing soil pipes may be done above roof level or by bossing into an existing soil pipe on the floor below.
Try the cost calculator on Moderniser to assess the budget you need for your conversion.