Getting it done

Going for the bathroom? Turning the attic into a TV room? Whatever you decide to do, think through your options carefully.

DIY:
If you decide to go DIY, a home office, TV room or play area is easier to manage than a bathroom. Doing-it-Yourself can be cheaper, but do not underestimate the amount of time and energy this will involve.

If budget is a problem, consider getting a builder to do the main work while you take on the simpler (and more enjoyable) tasks like painting or tiling. A bad DIY job can actually lessen the value of your house, so be careful.

Local Builder:
A local builder should be able to manage most (if not all) aspects of a loft conversion. However, you will need to be clear on individual responsibility before you start. Check the following things with your builder:

• Who will submit the paperwork to the Local Authority?
• Who will organise a skip for removing rubble?
• Who will organise any other labourers required, e.g. plumbers?
• What time period will the work take?

Be warned – a number of "cowboy" builders work in the loft conversion business. If they are prepared to start work without consulting the Local Authority, do not have anything to do with them. You must ALWAYS get permission for your loft conversion.

Specialist Firm: This can often be the most cost-effective option. A specialist firm will normally offer a one-stop shop, i.e. they do everything in house. They will draft the plans, submit paperwork and oversee the entire job.

There are some national firms specialising in this, such as Econoloft Firms of this nature have significant experience under their belt, and this can prove invaluable. A good loft conversion firm should be able to turn the job around in 6 – 8 weeks.

Costs

Obviously the costs will vary enormously. A shell conversion will cost less than a full Mansard job with bathroom fittings and new plumbing. It all depends on:

• What you want done
• Where you live

On average, a loft conversion costs anywhere between £20,000 and £30,000. Most full conversions will only bill for the floor, windows and roof. If you want furniture fittings, expect to pay more. Surfaces and fittings are rarely included in a full conversion quote.

For a shell conversion (bare studwork and felt) expect to part with £16,000.

A small Velux conversion without plumbing can be done for £20,000, which is clearly more affordable than moving home for people in the South of England. Many homes with trussed roofs have space that can be reclaimed, and this all adds value.

The cost of a conversion will depend entirely on location. A small conversion in rural England will cost the owner £16,000. The same thing in London may cost £30,000. An average of £27,000 is reasonable, but the location dictates everything as Rena Trepka from Econloft explains:

"We recently completed two jobs. One was a mansard conversion in Fulham which was a bedroom en-suite, costing mid £40,000. This added £75,000 to the owner's selling price. We also fitted a semi bungalow in the Bromley area with a bedroom en-suite, gable-up conversion. This also included a balcony, and the job cost somewhere in the high £30,000 mark. This added £74,000 to the property, compared to its attached neighbour."

Pros and cons

Turning your dusty, unused attic into another room is a clearly a great way to add value to your property, but there are both advantages and disadvantages which you may want to consider first:

Pros:

• Added Property Value: A conversion will cost an average of £27,000 but may add £60,000 to your property.
• Extra Living Space: Gain that extra room you need without having to fork out £100,000 – the average cost of moving and upgrading
• Quick Project Turnaround: An average of 6-8 weeks on a project of this nature is clearly much quicker than an extension.
• Does not always require full planning permission: An extension will always need planning permission, and this can be a lengthy procedure.

Cons:

• Location, Location, Location: The value that a conversion adds depends on where your property is based. A loft conversion in central London will add far more value than it would to a house in the North of England.
• Less Value than Extension: A household extension is less complicated, and will add more value than a loft conversion.
• Loss of Storage Space: Unless you sell it at the Car boot or E-Bay, you will lose the storage space you have. Hiring self-storage is an expensive business, so be prepared to get rid of those old things you have been hoarding.

The Pros of loft conversion outweigh the Cons, but do think it through carefully before you commit. There is no substitute for an on-site visit by the local builder and/or the loft conversion firm, so make sure you seek professional advice.

If you still like the idea of seeing the loft transformed, then get busy – and good luck!