Chigwell Loft Conversions (IG7): So, your family is growing and you need an extra room or 2, but is moving home the only alternative? Do you really want to put yourself through all the aggravation and stress of moving house, along with the added financial ramifications? Why don't you stay right where you are and have a loft conversion to create that extra space? If you do opt to move on later on, the market value your home will likely have increased by up to 20% to 30%. This should leave you in little doubt why opting to do a loft conversion is becoming ever more popular in Chigwell.
I guess you'll be asking "what will it cost"? And it is essential to set a budget at the beginning. Obviously this is dependent upon what kind of property you've got and what sort of loft conversion you opt for. At this time (2020) £35,000 is the typical price of a loft conversion in the UK. If your budget stretches to a number like this, then you might be all set to proceed with your project, otherwise you might need to think again.
Remember that this is just a national average, so costs may differ in the Chigwell area. The bulk of the costs will be taken up by materials and construction work, and when this was written this equates to approximately £1,250 per m2. On top of that there'll be other costs to look at such as architect fees, building control fees and planning fees.
Your property in Chigwell is going to go up in value as a result of a loft conversion, and you may want to determine by what amount. Your area of Chigwell will most likely have a threshold price on houses. Homes that are appraised higher than this ceiling figure could be hard to sell. This might make a loft conversion a much less viable project. This might be less of a problem for you if you do not plan to sell.
While the majority of loft conversions in Chigwell won't call for planning permission there are certain conditions. You can confirm these exceptions by getting in touch with your local planning office. Your selected Chigwell loft conversion company will do this for you if you are uneasy about interacting with council jobs worths. You still have to adhere to the appropriate building regulations, which are completely separate from planning permission. The council's building control office will be able to point you in the right direction about this.
Styles of Loft Conversion: The main types of loft conversion that you'll encounter in Chigwell are: roof light conversions, roof lift loft conversions, mansard loft conversions, dormer loft conversions, hip-to-gable loft conversions, velux loft conversions and loft pods.
It is vital that you uncover a trustworthy company that is carrying out loft conversions in and around Chigwell, as soon as you've made the decision to forge ahead with this plan of action. Make an effort to get several recommendations from neighbours and acquaintances who you know have recently had conversions. Take a look at your local newspaper or business directory and get a few free quotes from sites like Rated People or Checkatrade. You might like to try out a website called Bark, who contact local tradesmen on your behalf. The result of such groundwork should be a useful short list of prospective Chigwell loft conversion specialists from which you can make your selection.
A crucial consideration when planning a loft conversion in Chigwell is the architectural style of your property. Chigwell's architectural heritage is rich and diverse, with traditional cottages and modern houses coexisting side by side. Working with a local building company experienced in dealing with different architectural styles is essential for a loft conversion that seamlessly blends with the existing structure and improves your home's overall appearance. They can offer design suggestions and valuable insights that reflect the unique character of your premises. Furthermore, it is advisable to research local conservation guidelines and building regulations before embarking on a loft conversion undertaking, as safeguarding the heritage and charm of local communities is paramount.
Loft Stairs Chigwell
Loft Stairs Chigwell: If you do end up getting a loft conversion done on your Chigwell property you'll need to include some good access for getting up to and down from this new living space. This will entail putting in loft stairs or at the very least a loft ladder. You can find a number of different designs of loft stairs on the market, and they are generally manufactured from metal or wood. The kind of loft stairs you opt for may be influenced by the layout of your house, but you are able to purchase them in spiral form for elegance or in space saving designs for added convenience. No matter which you decide on, it is essential that you end up having safe, convenient access that doesn't excessively interfere with the existing living area. It should also satisfy the latest Building Regulations, providing an escape route if there is ever a fire.
Garage Conversion Chigwell
An alternative if your house in Chigwell isn't suitable for a loft conversion, a garage conversion is also a less expensive option if converting your attic seems rather expensive. This is only going to be possible if you have a garage that isn't presently in use, and if your structure is suitably constructed for conversion purposes. If you determine that your garage in Chigwell would be suitable for conversion, it can be completed at around 25 percent of the cost of converting a loft, and will not take as much time.
Planning permission is not required for most garage conversions in Chigwell, on condition that the building isn't being extended and if all of the construction work is internal. There might be exceptions to this guideline in specific conservation areas and on some newly built housing developments. Before proceeding with a garage conversion in Chigwell, it's prudent to contact your local authority planning department. Because converting a garage could add up to 20 percent to the market value of your house in Chigwell, it's certainly a project that is well worth considering. A fairly rapid result can be achieved, and with minimal disruption or mess. Spaces such as dining areas, games rooms, granny flats and kid's play rooms, are the most preferred ideas for garage conversions in Chigwell.
Loft Pods, Home Extension Pods and Loft BUDS
Loft Buds Chigwell: If you have received several estimates for a loft conversion and discover they are too expensive for your situation a "loft BUD", "house extension pod" or "loft pod" might be more affordable. Aside from the cost loft pods are also easier to construct and much less of a disruption. Falling into the twenty to thirty thousand pound price bracket, makes loft pods a better prospect for a lot of householders in the area. Usually added onto the rear of a property, above the first floor, a loft BUD (or pod) is an approximately 3 metre by 3 metre module extension. A loft pod can even be added or attached to a preexisting conversion, or it may be employed independently as an extension in its own right . There are a number of potential uses to which a loft pod module can be put including a home cinema, a home office, a mini-gym or a kid's playroom. (Tags: Loft Pods, Home Extension Pods, Loft Buds)
GET ESTIMATES FOR LOFT PODS HERE
Basement/Cellar Conversions
If your property isn't a good candidate for a loft conversion, a basement/cellar conversion another great way to add further liveable space. Needless to say this form of conversion can only be achieved on certain kinds of residence, commonly older properties for example Victorian or period properties. Certain post-war properties might also be suitable and if you are lucky enough to have the luxury of a cellar, why not take full advantage of it? As well as the obvious benefit of increased space, a cellar conversion may also fix dampness issues and increase the worth of your home. Most property owners simply use their cellars/basements as a dumping ground (or storage) for an array of household waste, similar to what folks use their attics for. You could convert your basement into a home cinema, a children's play room or a workshop and make it a great deal more than merely storage. If you have plenty of space a kitchen/diner or perhaps even a guest apartment are among the other alternatives.
GET A QUOTATION FOR A CELLAR CONVERSION HERE
Origins of Loft Conversion
While the process of doing a loft conversion may seem like very "British", some of the earliest loft conversions and the initial notions of remodeling lofts originated in 1960's America. The neighbourhood which was involved in this modern building fad was the Soho district of New York City, where cool, new living environments were built by designers, artists and so on in the upper levels of delapidated industrial structures. In reality such areas and industrial buildings were not set aside for residential usage, and hence were mainly illegal in the day. It was not until the early 1970's when the city eventually made this practise legal, and after this various other areas of the city such as Tribeca, Manhattan, Chelsea and Greenwich Village jumped on the bandwagon, and "loft living" was popular for the talented, young and wealthy. In the United Kingdom loft conversion is a desirable option in particular in huge cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and London, where building space is pricey and any means by which to gain more living space without having to extend the building's footprint is with good reason welcomed.
Loft Conversion Planning Permission
Loft Conversion Planning Permission Chigwell: Local authority planning permission isn't usually necessary for a loft conversion, although for this to be the case a few stipulations must be satisfied. Specific limitations mustn't be exceeded if your roof space has to be remodeled, if they are you will need to obtain planning permission. Planning permission will not be required as long as the following conditions are satisfied: no greater than 40 cubic metres added space for terraced houses and 50 cubic metres for semi-detached/detached properties, frosted glass must be used for side-facing windows, the uppermost a part of the existing roof structure mustn't be exceeded by any extension, raised platforms, verandas and balconies aren't allowed, existing exterior walls should not be overhung by any roof extension, materials used in the conversion have to match up with pre-existing ones, when observed from the highway no extension should exceed the height of the existing roof slope. And it must be mentioned that those guidelines are relevant to houses and not to maisonettes, flats, converted houses or other structures. The rights for development are controlled and exceptional planning rules apply in certain areas. So confer with your local council's planning office to find out which conditions relate to you.
Dormer Windows Chigwell
Dormer Conversions Chigwell: Dormer windows are among the best ways to provide both light and space to your loft area, and as there are different kinds of loft conversion in Chigwell, you can also find different types of dormers on the market. The most often seen forms of dormer window design are: gable dormers, shed dormers, eyebrow dormers, flat roof dormers and hipped dormers. The simplest of these dormer windows to put in and probably the most popular and frequently used in Chigwell would be the flat-roofed dormer. This design furthermore generates the most additional space of all the other types, making it functional as well as economical, though it could be considered slightly less appealing than some of the other styles. Eyebrow dormers can be really eye-catching in the proper location and consist of a curving roof topping a low, wide window, they've got no straight sides. Shed dormers resemble flat roofed dormers, providing a roof (single-plane) inclined at an angle less than that of the house roof. Hipped dormer windows are eye-catching, have 3 sloping surfaces much like those of the existing roof, these may also be known as hip roof dormer windows. Gable dormer windows are considered more appealing with straightforward pitched rooves more appropriate for period homes, gable dormers are sometimes called dog-house dormer or gable fronted dormers.
Building Regulations and Loft Conversions
Irrespective of whether you need planning permission for your conversion, it will still have to adhere to the appropriate building regs. This is crucial to make sure that any building work carried out on your loft conversion is safe and structurally sound and meets the minimum requirements for energy efficiency, safety and accessibility. Exactly which regulations apply in your case will be dependent upon the form of loft conversion that you're planning. There are many factors to be considered and just some of the elements which might be subject to building regs include: loft stairs, electrics, floor joists, doors, fire safety, walls, drainage, sound insulation and windows. Speak to your builder or architect for the low down on what is needed, or pop down to your local town building control office, where the relevant advice will be available.... READ MORE.
Mansard Loft Conversions
Mansard loft conversions are a popular choice for property owners looking to maximise their living space. By altering the sloping side of a roof, this type of conversion creates a flat roof with a steeper angle on one side. The maximisation of available headroom makes this design an excellent choice for low-ceiling loft spaces.
The extension of walls at a steep angle in mansard loft conversions maximises the usable floor area, which is another benefit. The significant increase in living space provided by this kind of loft conversion has led many householders in Chigwell to create an additional bathroom or bedroom. For those looking to increase the value of their home, mansard loft conversions are a favourable option, thanks to their ability to add considerable value to a property.
The design flexibility of mansard loft conversions allows householders to customise the space to suit their particular needs, from creating a playroom for children to a home office. Mansard loft conversions can be a great option for buildings that are located in conservation areas or with restrictions on roofing alterations, as they offer a more subtle external appearance compared to other kinds of loft conversions. Mansard loft conversions' practicality can be assessed by a professional loft conversion company, who can also oversee the entire process from the planning stage through to completion.
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Chigwell Loft Conversion Tasks
Chigwell loft conversion specialists can usually help you with loft insulation, home extensions, roof light loft conversions, loft refurbishments in Chigwell, loft makeovers, loft alterations, loft plumbing, property extensions in Chigwell, loft renovation, bespoke loft storage Chigwell, loft conversion blueprints, loft conversion quotations, post-conversion maintenance & cleaning, roofing repair or replacement, roof lift conversions in Chigwell, loft clearances Chigwell, rear dormer loft conversion Chigwell, loft ventilation, garage & loft conversions, loft conversion stairs, loft conversion advice, bespoke loft conversion Chigwell, estimation of loft conversion cost Chigwell, loft pods, part loft conversion, loft rebuilding, the installation of light fixtures & switches, loft design, part-build lofts Chigwell, loft conversion windows and other loft related work in Chigwell, Essex. Listed are just a small portion of the activities that are undertaken by those specialising in loft conversion. Chigwell specialists will inform you of their entire range of services.
Loft Conversions Near Chigwell
Local loft conversions: Gilwell Hill loft conversion, Lambourne End loft conversion, Hainault loft conversion, Abridge loft conversion, Bournebridge loft conversion, Fairlop loft conversion, Little Heath loft conversion, Sewardstone loft conversion, High Beech loft conversion, Redbridge loft conversions and more. All of these locations are serviced by companies who do loft conversion. Chigwell residents can get quotes by clicking here.
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