Loft Conversion Required? Is Your Loft Space Suitable?

Many loft spaces  are great projects for conversion into the ideal loft conversion.

If your loft space is currently a dark hole full of junk and dust it’s time to think about the possibilities it offers for improving your home. It is time for you to consider a loft conversion. Turn that wasted space in to a valuable and family friendly living area.

New Living Space Loft Conversions

What would a new livable space provide in extra family benefits? One more bathroom or possibly a new bedroom perhaps? There are numerous possible uses available.

Most homeowners planning on the best way to add the additional space they need, don’t realise that a majority of houses are going to be suited to a loft conversion. The way forward is to speak to a professional loft conversions company and obtain more advice.

Tips and hints

A loft conversion should allow you ample standing room. Ensure your design includes ample space once completed.
A superb guidline is at least 2.3 metres hight to allow enough standing room.

Typically, the steeper the pitch or slope of any roof, the greater space will available for a loft conversion.If your house was built before the 1960s, the roof will most likely have been constructed with individual rafters. The pitch will be steep and there’s often a useful clear space between the supporting framework. Overall these types of property are far simpler to convert.

Victorian houses are often perfect for loft conversions. Most possess a pretty steep roof. They often give you a good amount of extra space.

If your home is more contemporary it will have trussed rafters. As the pitch is lower, this means a loft conversion is still possible but not as easy.

Planning Permission For Loft Conversions

Most householders considering a loft conversion will find they do not require planning permission. The government decided to reduce the regulations within this area to make performing such projects far easier.

You should be aware that presently exceptions exist .

• Will be your property a listed building?
• Is it inside a conservation area?

If so planning permission is needed. To find out more get your copy of ‘10 Facts You Must Know Before Converting Your Loft’

Other Important Exceptions

1 If your loft conversion will extend higher than the existing roof.

2 Your house has already been extended to the limit of its permitted development. That’s 15% of its original size.

Bear in mind the original house size and dimensions are important when contemplating this sort of project.

Key Points

If you need extra space, a loft conversion is genrally ideal. Get new living space without the need to move.

Ensure the finished project allows good standing room to create new  functional living space.

Certain properties are better for loft conversions. The steeper roofs of houses built prior to the 1960s are usually better  for loft conversions.

Loft Conversions Manchester

Loft Conversions Manchester – Finance For Your Loft Conversions

Loft Conversions Manchester are finding this question arising more frequently for loft conversions finance options.

“Is it right to have an elderly relative pay the cost of your loft conversion, if they are going to come and live with you”?

Helping Loved Ones And Financing For Loft Conversions

The main concern is often not the cost or financing of a loft conversion. There are many finance options available. The loft conversion itself is the solution to the problem of looking after elderly relatives.

Often you will just want to help your Mum (or Dad) if they are finding that their house has become too large to manage. Many children are naturally concerned about their parents well-being and want to do anything they can to help them.

It is not unusual to invite parents to move into the family home. A large number of families in the UK do this. There could be a number of mutual benefits for all parties involved.

Extra Space – Relatives Live In The Loft Conversion

So how do you help? You may wish they could come and live with you but your property is too small. A loft conversion could be the ideal solution to provide the extra space you need.

There are many different finance options and ways to finance a loft conversion. Some of them, such as this option of having a relative pay the cost, can prove to be a little controversial.

Is It Right For You?

Is this right? Morally, financially and socially? Different ways at looking at the issue raise many questions. Ultimately, if it’s your project and everyone is happy with the proposals, then why not use this solution?

Cramped Housing Resolved With Loft Conversions

What you don’t want is to feel that your home is cramped and crowded and that moving relatives in with you will make things worse. Planning your extra space with a loft conversion can easily provide the extra space you need. It can solve numerous problems all in one go.

Factors To Consider

The biggest consideration for all parties must be the desire to be close to your loved ones. If it’s unlikely you can all live together in harmony, then this is not a route to follow. Everyone in the family will need to be honest and open about their feelings.

In exchange for accommodation, families can find they have instant childcare. The elderly relative has company close at hand. In addition they have the opportunity to sell their own property, so realising a lump sum of cash from the sale of their home.

Given all the problems surrounding care in old age, this can be an avenue well worth thinking about.

Energy Costs

With rising energy costs being one of the prime things that older people often worry about, they gain the benefit of shared energy costs and you should agree up front how recurring bills will be dealt with. Maybe your relative will pay a proportion. In any event, it is going to be much less than if they had to pay all bills on their own.

Worries Solved With Loft Conversions

A big consideration for an elderly relative is the standard of care they could expect elsewhere. Residential care is very expensive and can quickly wipe out the capital value of their main residence. Living with you can alleviate this worry.

Family Closeness

The arrangements can be very beneficial because the whole family is suddenly a lot closer. There are less worries about your relative being some distance away and it’s great for bonding with the grandchildren.

Do You Agree? Relatives Financing Your Loft Conversion.

This whole issue can be controversial or even a moral dilemma. The whole idea needs to be openly discussed and everybody needs to be happy.

The financial aspects of converting your loft do need to be assessed. However if everybody is happy with the arrangements, all parties involved can really benefit.

The family home has its value increased because of the loft conversion. The elderly relative has company, security and somewhere to live with family, while having the balance of monies from the sale of their own property.

Everyone feels closer and family bonds are so much stronger.

What Do You Think?

Is this something you would consider? Let us know. Leave a comment and vote in the poll

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Manchester Loft Conversions For Elderly Relatives

If you are planning a loft conversion it can be very helpful to have some useful resources to help your research.

We have found this useful section of resources that people can have a look at while planning their Manchester loft conversions.

Manchester Loft Conversions Finance

Finding finance or a loan for your Manchester loft conversion does not need to be difficult.  Getting the extra space you need could cost as little as £13k or £28 per week. It depends up on the type of loft conversion you have done but it is a very affordable option.

Re-mortgage Finance. Secured Loans

The most obvious route to follow is a re-mortgage or a secured loan on your property.  This can be a good opportunity to review your mortgage arrangements and ensure that your current deal is still competitive.

Secured lending on property is still one of the cheapest forms of finance available.

Save Money With A Loft Conversion.

Remember that improving your current property could end up saving you a lot of money.  When you compare the cost of moving house and all the different fees involved, adding extra space through a loft conversion becomes a very economical proposition.

If you decide to re-mortgage you will take out a new loan.  This can either be in addition to your original mortgage, if done through the same lender or you may find a better overall deal elsewhere.

If you take out a new loan you will repay your existing mortgage and the balance will be available to pay for your loft conversion.

A Loft Conversion Can Add 20% Value To Your Home.

The good news is that loft conversions, if done professionally, do add value to your property.  If you decide to integrate a new bedroom with en-suite bathroom, many homeowners have found this can add up to 20% to the value of your home.

Property Prices Increase 117% Over Ten Years

Recent research at the end of 2009 by Nationwide building society, has also shown that property prices have continued to rise over the course of the last decade, even accounting for the property collapse in 2008.Prices fell in that year by 16% but recovered in 2009 by 5.6%.

Prices over the ten year period still increased by approximately 117% so property is still a prime investment over the longer term.

Martin Gahbauer is the chief economist for the Nationwide and he said that the increase in 2009 had suprised most commentators on property prices.

Which ever way you look at it, its good news for home owners looking to their property as a prime investment.

If you need further advice or assistance please contact Manchester Loft Conversions for more help.

Loft Conversions Manchester – Loft Design  Stories Part 2

In my previous post on loft conversion design stories, I looked at a loft conversion that had not taken full advantage of the space available. It was a terrace house.

Next I am going to look at another terrace house of a similar nature, where the loft conversion was designed in a different way.

Our company did not carry out the original loft conversions on either house. They do however provide good examples of one type of loft conversion design and how the space is best utilised.

Loft Conversion – Maximise The Space

Let’s look now at how the space in this second example loft conversion was utilised.  To create a new room, with good layout and use of existing features sometimes takes some thought.

Loft conversions design - loft space

Entrance Stairs Positioning

You will see that the stairs come into the loft from a completely different position from the first example.  This means that the available space for the floor area is much larger.  It is also a lot more practicable.

Increasing The Value Of Your Home

Ultimately that translates into more added value  to this property. As home owners, you want to invest in your home with the best possible results.

This house and the house I referred to in my first post are next door to each other. The available space to work with was exactly the same.  The end result is however totally different.

The positioning of the stairs was crucial in maximising the space available in this loft conversion.

The quality of your home will be so much better with more space.

Planning Your Space Efficiently

In both houses, space had to be taken from an existing bedroom downstairs.  In the first example, the stairs came up the centre of the loft space. The space was taken from an internal dividing wall.

If you look at the third photo below, the position of the door shows approximately the position of where the stairs were built in the first loft conversion example. The stairs went up and to the right from the position of that door.

In this example, the space is taken from the dividing wall at the end of the house.  This was the best method of increasing the space. The picture below shows it more clearly.

Loft conversions entrance stairs positioning

Loft conversions stairs up into loft

Loft conversions stairs layout

Loft Conversions – End Results

In both examples, roughly the same amount of space was taken from the downstairs room to make the loft entrance stairs. The end result was however completely different.

I hope this helps to show how designing and planning your loft conversion properly can have a major impact on the finished result.

Loft attic dormer conversion design should always be well planned.

If you have any comments please let us know.

Which loft conversions design lay out would you go for?

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Manchester Loft Conversions

Loft Conversions – A Good Investment?

When the housing market is depressed finding a suitable investment with a guaranteed return can be difficult. The answer could be just hiding in your roof space! A loft conversion.

Adding value to your property in any market conditions is always a good idea for home owners. So is a loft conversion one way forward?

Hundreds of loft conversions are carried out across Manchester every year. The reason is because many astute homeowners do see it as best method of increasing their investment in their home.

There are many different types of extensions. Manchester Loft Conversions have helped improve many a property, with our quality workmanship and attention to detail. What is important is to ensure you have a high quality loft conversion. Invest in your home the best way possible.

A loft conversion that’s poor quality will not give you extra value in your property. On the other hand, a professional job will certainly add to the quality of your home and increase its investment value. The result of recent surveys, about value added to your home by having a loft conversion, do seem to confirm this.

Loft conversions frequently top the list of best home improvements and this has also been confirmed in top national surveys. Serious improvements in your home life and lifestyle are just one of the benefits you can expect.

Could you create a new room in your roof space?  It could be a

• Guests extra bedroom
• Creative studio
• Kid’s bedroom
• Lounge living space
• Home office
• Extra bathroom

What is one of the key factors to look out for if your having a loft conversion?

It’s simple but easy to get wrong if not planned properly. Create a new room that makes the most of the space available. This is where proper planning can really pay dividends. It will lay the foundations of the best method for a quality loft conversion.

The possibilities are endless.  Research will be your best way forward. Look at previous conversions of similar properties for an idea of how your finished project will look. High quality case studies often provide an excellent guide.

Conversions frequently involve a number of steps and conversion costs are always a big factor. Ensure you have the correct advice from a local specialist that covers

• Building works,
• Preparing planning,
• Volume allowance,
• Permitted development and
• Regulations approval

A quality service will always cover all these points for you. Go for a specialist with the local knowledge to complete your project as quickly as possible. Manchester Loft Conversions have developed an unrivalled reputation for exceptional quality and service and are always ready to help.

If you are ready to move forward, a quotation and price for your job is your next step.

Find out how loft conversions Manchester can help. You can get our introductory Report    ‘10 Facts You Must Know Before Starting Your Loft Conversion’. It’s normally £9.99 but you can get it here free .

Which Loft Conversions Manchester

Save Money On Your Loft Attic Or Dormer Conversion!

But you need to act now!

Loft Conversions Manchester

If you have been thinking about having a loft, attic or dormer conversion, then now is the time to act- if you want to save money!

The government introduced a reduction in the VAT rate last year. The idea was to help the economy by reducing the rate of VAT for a temporary period of time.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax that you pay when you buy most goods and services. The standard rate of VAT was 17.5% and was temporarily reduced to 15 per cent, from 1 December 2008. This reduction expires on 31 December 2009.

From 1 January 2010, the VAT rate will return to 17.5 per cent.

Let’s consider  a loft, attic or roof dormer conversion at £15,000 +vat

If you have the work done before the deadline expires, the VAT added to £15,000 is £2250. If you wait and VAT is charged after 31 December 2009, then you will pay £2625. An additional £375.

A step by step loft conversion can be useful if it can help save money before the deadline expires.

If you can’t complete your project before that deadline, you will still be able to get some of the benefit, by having your loft conversion company submit invoices for part payment as the project progresses. This is normal practice anyway in many cases. It depends upon the agreed payment process and schedule when the works were agreed.

This is money that could be spent on decorating, furnishings or on some other part of your loft conversion project.

If you have been researching the benefits of having a loft conversion, then you are probably aware that it can add value to your home, as well as extra space.

Time is running out to benefit from this saving, so make sure you take action today if you are serious about moving forward with your  loft,  attic or dormer conversion project!

Manchester Loft Conversions