Lofts: What is to consider when planning an opening - Loft Conversion until your loft can be a great way to add both space and value to your home. But planning the conversion can be a little intimidating. This is not something that many of us are too knowledgeable about, and all the steps and regulations must be carefully thought out. Here, three loft specialists provide the low down on everything that an owner should be aware of when considering a conversion
Professional advice from :.
Graham Chappell, CEO of Nuspace London
Keith Merryweather, CEO of York-based Project4
Deepak Singh Udassi, CEO of City Lofts London
Professional advice from :.
Graham Chappell, CEO of Nuspace London
Keith Merryweather, CEO of York-based Project4
Deepak Singh Udassi, CEO of City Lofts London
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Inquire if you need planning Permission
'all properties do not require Permissions planning: most houses have permitted development rights for 40 or 50 cubic meters, depending on the type of house, which will allow without full planning conversion Permissions explains Graham Chappell Nuspace London. "However, p ermission is necessary for all apartments and houses in conservation zones.
"The basic rule is that if you change the roof line outside - either take over or with a skylight added face - you'll probably need a Planning Permission," said Keith Merryweather of Project4. "Everything in the back of the property does not generally require the authorization, provided it does not go above the roof line.
'all properties do not require Permissions planning: most houses have permitted development rights for 40 or 50 cubic meters, depending on the type of house, which will allow without full planning conversion Permissions explains Graham Chappell Nuspace London. "However, p ermission is necessary for all apartments and houses in conservation zones.
"The basic rule is that if you change the roof line outside - either take over or with a skylight added face - you'll probably need a Planning Permission," said Keith Merryweather of Project4. "Everything in the back of the property does not generally require the authorization, provided it does not go above the roof line.
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whether you are in a conservation area
"The best way to check is to visit website of your local authority. Go to the planning section and there will be sub-links on conservation areas; punch in your zip code to see if you fall into a conservation area. If you do, you will need to seek planning Permissions "said Deepak Udassi Singh City Lofts London.
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"The best way to check is to visit website of your local authority. Go to the planning section and there will be sub-links on conservation areas; punch in your zip code to see if you fall into a conservation area. If you do, you will need to seek planning Permissions "said Deepak Udassi Singh City Lofts London.
Visit a Victorian school conversion
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Obtain approval of building regulations
approval of building regulations is a common practice in the construction industry - which you need to make the addition will have the right materials and proper structure, and will be conducted by competent professionals, " Merryweather said Keith . "Building Control is a separate department for Planning Permission."
"All properties must be approved by building regulations, which means that the local authority or an approved inspector will assess the quality of work thoughout to issue a final certificate of approval at the end of work " explains Graham Chappell. "This includes all building control issues on the site such as structure, ventilation, insulation, security, access, electricity and so on. It is a legal obligation, and you will need documents if and when you come to sell.
approval of building regulations is a common practice in the construction industry - which you need to make the addition will have the right materials and proper structure, and will be conducted by competent professionals, " Merryweather said Keith . "Building Control is a separate department for Planning Permission."
"All properties must be approved by building regulations, which means that the local authority or an approved inspector will assess the quality of work thoughout to issue a final certificate of approval at the end of work " explains Graham Chappell. "This includes all building control issues on the site such as structure, ventilation, insulation, security, access, electricity and so on. It is a legal obligation, and you will need documents if and when you come to sell.
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"It are two ways to manage the building control approval process:
1) Apply in advance and give the inspector all the information on materials and design accurate. This is called full plans approval in advance.
2) a notice of 48 hours, and the inspector will come at regular intervals throughout the building to inspect the progress of work. This is the most popular choice in our experience, as most people like to make decisions as the project progresses rather than the beginning. "
1) Apply in advance and give the inspector all the information on materials and design accurate. This is called full plans approval in advance.
2) a notice of 48 hours, and the inspector will come at regular intervals throughout the building to inspect the progress of work. This is the most popular choice in our experience, as most people like to make decisions as the project progresses rather than the beginning. "
A1 Lofts and extensions
Consider a specialist
"Loft specialists provide the full package, sorting [toutpourleclientquinedoittraiteruniquementaveclesappareilsaccessoirescalendrieretpaiement " Keith said Merryweather. "You can do it separately and you outsource all the different professionals, from architects to carpenters plumbers. You essentially become the project manager and will organize the schedule and try to make everyone adhere to it. If you do not continually push forward the project, it can become long.
'It is not advisable to project manage yourself if you have some expertise, know people reputable business and professional correct around to advise you, "says Graham Chappell. "If someone is willing to take on the project themselves, we propose to make a service" bare-bones ", which supports heavy structural work, leaving the owner to do the finishing themselves, including electricity and painting.
Find a specialist loft conversion near you.
"Loft specialists provide the full package, sorting [toutpourleclientquinedoittraiteruniquementaveclesappareilsaccessoirescalendrieretpaiement " Keith said Merryweather. "You can do it separately and you outsource all the different professionals, from architects to carpenters plumbers. You essentially become the project manager and will organize the schedule and try to make everyone adhere to it. If you do not continually push forward the project, it can become long.
'It is not advisable to project manage yourself if you have some expertise, know people reputable business and professional correct around to advise you, "says Graham Chappell. "If someone is willing to take on the project themselves, we propose to make a service" bare-bones ", which supports heavy structural work, leaving the owner to do the finishing themselves, including electricity and painting.
Find a specialist loft conversion near you.
Housing Inspired
seek advice if you create storage space
If you're looking to add a floor to create storage space rather than an extra room, it is good to check how much weight the joists can take. "Seek the advice of a structural engineer to see if the joists must be strengthened in order to stay safe," advises Graham Chappell.
If you're looking to add a floor to create storage space rather than an extra room, it is good to check how much weight the joists can take. "Seek the advice of a structural engineer to see if the joists must be strengthened in order to stay safe," advises Graham Chappell.
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Getting a wall Accord Party (PWA)
'the wall that separates you from your neighbors is called the dividing wall, and is shared by both properties, explains Deepak Singh Udassi . "A Wall Reviews Party is something that must be issued before the work is done - it is actually a heads up an owner must give their neighbors, who may ask them to send round a surveyor surveyor to make a note of the status of all properties.
"At the end of the project, if the cracks increased or appeared in the neighbor's property, then there is reason for them to seek compensation. The Party Wall agreement is an agreement not to reduce the capacity of the wall of the party at the expense of the property of a neighbor.
'the wall that separates you from your neighbors is called the dividing wall, and is shared by both properties, explains Deepak Singh Udassi . "A Wall Reviews Party is something that must be issued before the work is done - it is actually a heads up an owner must give their neighbors, who may ask them to send round a surveyor surveyor to make a note of the status of all properties.
"At the end of the project, if the cracks increased or appeared in the neighbor's property, then there is reason for them to seek compensation. The Party Wall agreement is an agreement not to reduce the capacity of the wall of the party at the expense of the property of a neighbor.
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Establish a probable delay
"the construction period usually takes between four and 10 weeks, depending on the size of the property and the memory, said Graham Chappell.
"the initial contact to the end, a typical time is about three months, Keith Merryweather added.
"If a property is listed or falls within a conservation area, the owner needs a full planning application, and must go through a two-month consultation of approval, "says Deepak Udassi Singh . Plans should be developed, approved by the owner, then submitted to the local authority. If permission is granted, work can get underway, but if the owners are asked to change something, the process can drag.
"the construction period usually takes between four and 10 weeks, depending on the size of the property and the memory, said Graham Chappell.
"the initial contact to the end, a typical time is about three months, Keith Merryweather added.
"If a property is listed or falls within a conservation area, the owner needs a full planning application, and must go through a two-month consultation of approval, "says Deepak Udassi Singh . Plans should be developed, approved by the owner, then submitted to the local authority. If permission is granted, work can get underway, but if the owners are asked to change something, the process can drag.
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agreed on a timetable
"most experts have a contract, 'said Keith Merryweather. "It is only a guide, but we try to meet the expected duration. The specialist may be necessary to push entrepreneurs along. As a customer, you need to understand why the overruns could occur. Before starting the project, you need to insist on time scales, because it is very important. Even after a few days it is not easy to have builders in your home.
See bathroom here.
"most experts have a contract, 'said Keith Merryweather. "It is only a guide, but we try to meet the expected duration. The specialist may be necessary to push entrepreneurs along. As a customer, you need to understand why the overruns could occur. Before starting the project, you need to insist on time scales, because it is very important. Even after a few days it is not easy to have builders in your home.
See bathroom here.
Louise Room Interiors
Be careful with your budget
explicitly establish from the outset what is included and what is not, advises Graham Chappell. "Have a detailed order form to ensure all eventualities are covered. It is important to get as much detail as possible in the front in the quote to protect you. "
" A good way to protect yourself is to hire a specialized firm that deals with lofts and lofts only, "said Deepak Singh Udassi. "It will have systems and procedures in place to ensure that customers are fully aware of the specification. The team will conduct an initial site survey and verification of the technical feasibility, and there will put together a comprehensive proposal detailing the total cost to the penny. This will be recorded in a contract, so the owner will know exactly what they get. If they change the specification, it will be updated in the contract, so that the owner maintains control at all times. "
explicitly establish from the outset what is included and what is not, advises Graham Chappell. "Have a detailed order form to ensure all eventualities are covered. It is important to get as much detail as possible in the front in the quote to protect you. "
" A good way to protect yourself is to hire a specialized firm that deals with lofts and lofts only, "said Deepak Singh Udassi. "It will have systems and procedures in place to ensure that customers are fully aware of the specification. The team will conduct an initial site survey and verification of the technical feasibility, and there will put together a comprehensive proposal detailing the total cost to the penny. This will be recorded in a contract, so the owner will know exactly what they get. If they change the specification, it will be updated in the contract, so that the owner maintains control at all times. "
ready for a little disruption
a loft should not be too disruptive, "says Keith Merryweather. "Working hours are generally 8:00 to 17: 30 on weekdays and weekends are optional. With clear planning, the project can work very well, but we can never guarantee a smooth process in construction. The big questions, however, should be covered in the original investigation by the architect, and thus be clear from the beginning. "
" Loft conversions are surprisingly uninterrupted adds Deepak Singh Udassi. "Most owners are on the property, and up to 80% of the work can be carried out via ladders at the front and back of the house. Invariably, some points of the construction are noisier than others, including so-called "break" (put in the new staircase), but the owners will be notified with a detailed schedule.
See beautiful loft spaces
a loft should not be too disruptive, "says Keith Merryweather. "Working hours are generally 8:00 to 17: 30 on weekdays and weekends are optional. With clear planning, the project can work very well, but we can never guarantee a smooth process in construction. The big questions, however, should be covered in the original investigation by the architect, and thus be clear from the beginning. "
" Loft conversions are surprisingly uninterrupted adds Deepak Singh Udassi. "Most owners are on the property, and up to 80% of the work can be carried out via ladders at the front and back of the house. Invariably, some points of the construction are noisier than others, including so-called "break" (put in the new staircase), but the owners will be notified with a detailed schedule.
See beautiful loft spaces
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Enjoy adding value
"the value varies by region," said Keith Merryweather. "In cities, space is at a premium, so it tends to be very profitable to convert the loft. In other areas, usually you get back your construction costs and add a bit of equity in your home "
" The amount of value changes wildly with postal codes. it is very much driven by the local market, "admits Deepak Singh Udassi. 'For example, a house in West London worth £ 1.2 million increased in value to 1.9 million after a £ 60,000 £ loft. Another house in Twickenham, Middlesex, increased from £ 325,000 to £ 510,000 following a loft which cost £ 55,000.
Tell us ...
Have you converted your loft? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below.
"the value varies by region," said Keith Merryweather. "In cities, space is at a premium, so it tends to be very profitable to convert the loft. In other areas, usually you get back your construction costs and add a bit of equity in your home "
" The amount of value changes wildly with postal codes. it is very much driven by the local market, "admits Deepak Singh Udassi. 'For example, a house in West London worth £ 1.2 million increased in value to 1.9 million after a £ 60,000 £ loft. Another house in Twickenham, Middlesex, increased from £ 325,000 to £ 510,000 following a loft which cost £ 55,000.
Tell us ...
Have you converted your loft? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below.