There are several types of lofts. Here is a short look at them:
Dormer
A Dormer loft is not large enough for any conversions, but the dormer does leave enough space for another room, a bathroom, etc.
Roof light
This is a great loft option if you just need a small bedroom, a small office, or small storage space. And, yes, the conversion is small as well.
Mansard
This option is quite popular in England and has become a trend there. This is a great loft option and was often requested a number of years ago.
Specialist or DIY:
So, are you going to build this loft yourself, or have a specialist do it for you? If you have a great mind for planning and building, you can do some or all of the loft conversion yourself. If you do it yourself, you will save some money, but you will need to have the time available in your schedule to do the work.
However, if you don't have the confidence and/or the time, you can have a loft conversion specialist to take care of it all for you. Just make sure you find a good builder. A poor loft conversion can have a poor effect on your home's value and give you a lot of headaches! Ask around before you decide on a specialist. You might want to ask local realtors who they would use or recommend.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations:
You will need to plan for what type of loft conversion you want and need in your home. Why are you converting your loft? You will also need to find out if the particular conversion you are planning to build will be or will not be allowed by your local authorities in the area of building regulations. You might need to get a planning and/or building permission.
Conversion Cost versus Added Property Value:
It can cost up to 10,000 pounds to 45,000 pounds to convert your loft in Europe. However, it can give you the added room you need for whatever you need it for. This can also be beneficial for the value of your home. A loft conversion can actually raise the value of your home on an average of approximately 100,000 pounds. Just as stated above, if you have a loft conversion specialist do the work for you, make sure you find someone who is going to do all of the building properly, because a poor loft conversion can lower your home's value rather than raise it. Just be careful about choosing someone. You might want to choose to do the work yourself, but you need to make sure that you have the time to complete the work and that you have the ability to do the work. Doing it yourself can save you money rather than spending it on a loft conversion specialist, but that part is completely up to you.
