The cost of converting attic to bedroom space will depend on many factors. Some of these are obvious such as the size of your loft, what style of furnishings you will buy, and the cost of windows. But there are many hidden costs that you may not be prepared for. This is why we suggest that you use the services of vetted tradesmen for the job. Not only will they ensure your loft conversion is safe and legal. They will also help you through the planning process and ensure hidden expenses don’t crop up further down the line.
Loft conversions are very popular. By law, an attic converted room cannot be classed as a bedroom. But, it will increase the value of your home. The actual process of converting your attic to living space however is not as easy as you may think. Below are some considerations you need to review and some you should discuss with your conversion experts.
Cost of Converting Attic to Bedroom : Is My Home Strong Enough to Support One?
Not all homes are created equal. Over time, the types of lofts you find are also different. Older homes tended to have large lofts that could easily be converted into rooms. More modern homes tend to have smaller attics, and many are not suitable for conversions at all. If your home has an attic space that is big enough, the first question you need to ask yourself when working out the cost of converting attic to bedroom space is if your home will buckle under the weight.
The structural integrity of your home and its foundations need to be considered before you can plan a loft conversion. A survey should be carried out to see if your home will actually take the strain of a loft conversion.
When thinking about if your loft is big enough, there are more questions to ask yourself. At first glance your loft may look big enough, but once you have taken away room for the staircase and added extra insulation, is it really big enough? Height is also a problem for modern home owners. Lowering the ceiling of rooms below is possible. But, this will add a lot of money to the cost of your attic conversion.
Planning Permission for your Loft Conversions
You may presume that if you are not going to alter the exterior of your home, then you do not need permission. This is not necessarily true, most especially when your home has a party wall. If you live in a semi detached or terraced property, you will need permission from your neighbours before you can get things moving with your attic conversion.
Once you have checked whether you need planning permission or not, you need to look at the structure of your loft. Beams that are up there are there for a reason. They may literally be stopping your house from falling down. So, you cannot just remove them to make more room. On the flipside, your horizontal beams may be strong enough to hold up the rook structure above, but will need reinforcing when creating living space.
Stairs and Windows
Your attic room will need a staircase. Where do you consider putting this? Have you enough room to make a staircase without losing too much living space from an existing room? If you don’t have enough room for a traditional staircase, you may choose folding stairs. This type of setup is really only useful however when your attic room will be for occasional use.
Next, you will need to make the choice between skylights and windows. Skylights are cheap and easy to install, but they will often not give you enough natural light. If you are intending on adding windows, then be aware that these may well need planning permission, as they will change the exterior appearance of your home.
Final Notes on Cost of Converting Your Attic to Bedroom Space
Your loft conversion will need a fire escape. The actual rules and regulations are something your loft conversion team can help you with. You cannot build a bedroom in a loft without having a fire escape route. If you have windows as opposed to skylights fitted, then these can provide you with what you need. Lastly, think about how well your loft is insulated. What is OK for a loft will not be OK for a bedroom in winter. This is one more additional extra that you may not have bargained for when deciding to make a bedroom up in your roof. Although heat rises, for a comfortable bedroom in winter, you will need to think about adding heating to your new room.