Building a loft conversion or extension can be an exciting venture. It is a good opportunity to be creative and put some of your personality into your home.
But before you rush into it, there are lots of things you need to think about. Planning might be frustrating but it’s almost guaranteed to save you time and money.
To help you prepare and end up with a project you are happy with, we’ve come up with 7 questions to ask yourself before you start a loft conversion or extension.
1. Why do you want a conversion or extension?
There are some typical reasons why people want to extend their home living space. One is to improve their long-term home. If you’re thinking about staying in your property permanently, it’s worth investing in a good-quality conversion or extension.
However, other people decide to build to increase their home’s value and make a profit when they sell. If you want to do this, you should speak to an estate agent to find out how much value your extension or conversion could add. You can use this to work out your building budget. This will prevent you from over-spending on the work and missing out on a profit.
People also build an extension or convert their loft to make short-term space. You could do this if you need to move to a larger home but aren’t financially ready to do so. This can be a great short-term solution. But before you do this, work out how much moving house could cost you compared to how much you’re likely to spend on building work. You might find that it’s more sensible to save your money for moving rather than investing it in a property you’re going to leave.
2. How much do you want to spend?
This may sound a bit obvious, but it is surprising how many people tell their architect what they want but not what they can afford. This will often lead to your architect producing plans that look good but are way out of budget.
If you’re thinking about building an extension or loft conversion, have a think and come up with a realistic budget. Tell your architect this, as well as other details, before they get started on your plans. This will save time and prevent you from spending more than you want to.
3. What design style would you like?
Once you’ve worked out your budget, you can think about the design that you want. It’s easy to assume that your architect knows what you’ve got pictured in your head. But as there are many styles and designs available now, it is important to describe to your own architect as much about what you would like as possible.
If you’re struggling for design inspiration, have a look at our other articles or check out homestoinspire.co.uk.
4. When would you like the work done?
People tend to want to get building work done in the spring or summer. The weather is usually better then, which means that the work will probably take less time to complete. Warmer temperatures also make tradespeople coming in and out of your home less uncomfortable.
Whenever you decide to get your building work done, make sure that you begin the process early enough. Surveying and design, applying for planning permission and building regulations approval and finding and hiring a contractor all take time. The average extension or conversion project could take around 7 months to get started. So if you want your project completed by a certain date, it’s a good idea to be realistic and get started as early as you can.
5. Will it affect your neighbours?
Whether you want to or not, it is important to think about your neighbours when you’re planning your building project. If the work will affect a party wall you share, you will require their cooperation. You could also need access to their land.
Even if neither of these things apply, it’s still a good idea to get your neighbours on board with your project. Have a chat, explain what you’re going to do and see if they have any objections. If they have any concerns, you might be able to make a small modification to your plans and stop them raising a material planning objection and delaying your project. It could also help you to keep on good terms with your neighbours, which is never a bad idea.
6. Does anywhere else in your home need work?
Before you start your loft conversion or extension, check round your home to see if anywhere else needs work. Specifically concentrate on the places that are close to your building work. Getting all the work you need done simultaneously can save you money and time and reduce how long you have tradespeople in your home.
7. Can you do anything to improve your energy efficiency?
If you are preparing for a building project, it is a good time to review your home’s energy efficiency. Decide whether improvements are needed and think about fitting new cavity wall or loft insulation and replacing your windows or heating system. These adjustments will cost you money in the short term but could significantly reduce your energy bills. And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, consider installing solar panels or a heat pump. It will be easier to improve your property’s energy efficiency as part of a job you’re doing already, rather than afterwards.
Asking yourself these 7 questions should help you to work out what you want from your loft conversion or extension. You can then explain this to your architect, who should be able to come up with something that you’re happy with.