Loft Conversions Manchester.

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‘10 Facts You Must Know Before Converting Your Loft’
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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

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

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?

Manchester Loft Conversions

Loft Conversions Manchester – Loft Design Stories -Loft Conversions.

Do you think the loft conversion example we show you here was a waste of money? Would you have a loft conversion like this?

When considering the design of your loft conversion it’s important to get a clear idea of what you want.  Loft Conversions Manchester always advises to have the plans drawn as closely to your idea’s as possible.

Two Similar Houses – Two Different Results

Recently we had to visit two very similar homes, both terrace houses, with a request for remedial works on loft conversions that had been carried out by other companies.

We felt both these Manchester loft conversions provided a good opportunity to show you how two similar terrace houses, with the same idea of having a loft conversion, can end up with two totally different results.

Loft Attic & Dormer Conversions – Professional Help

When designing your loft attic or dormer conversion, get professional help. A specialist with the local knowledge will help you get the best possible outcome.

Have a look at the four basic loft conversion designs that we outline within this loft design category.

The aim is to ensure you add value to your property.  You are investing in your home so try not to cut corners. You will see why we say this, when you compare the two example loft conversions.

Loft  Attic  & Dormer Conversions Planning

The two examples we will show you here, will give you an idea of how the same amount of working space can end up with totally different results. Different decisions with the plans and decisions in how to initially use the space available, really do affect how your project turns out.

High Quality Loft Conversions

A high quality loft conversion should always aim to maximize the space available and make it as functional as possible. It will be your new living space!

In this first example we can see a loft conversion that has a number of problems. These problems are typical of a poorly planned and designed project.

Good Loft Planning And Design Is Crucial

The first problem is the position of the stairs coming into the loft.

If you look at the photos, you will see the stairs ‘eat’ right into the available space, right in the middle of the loft floor space.

This seriously decreases the usefulness of the converted loft because most of the space is taken up with the entrance stairs and the surrounding banister.

This takes space out of the room and the closed nature makes the space feel even more small and cramped.

This loft conversion has put the stairs in the wrong position

These stairs and the solid surround take too much space from the loft

These entrance stairs are badly positioned and waste space to the left

Now if it was not for the example that follows, you may have said it had to be done like that to comply with regulations. You will see that this is not the case in our second example.

Increasing The Loft Space Available

Simply planning the project properly will include a method of increasing the available space once the loft conversion is completed.

The area of living space in the loft conversion and how practical it is to use for day to day living, will have a direct bearing on increasing the value of your home and the overall quality of your home.

So its money well spent and a good idea to have your plans professionally drawn up. Computer aided design can often help to show you a clear idea of what the finished loft conversion will look like.

Summary

So by way of summary you want to be

• increasing the value of your home
• adding additional loft space and maximising this loft space
• ensuring a quality loft conversion through good planning

In the next part we will show you how a similar loft conversion turned out completely differently. Make sure you read part two.

If you have any comments we would love to hear them.

Do you know anyone that has had a poor quality loft conversion? Let us know the details here at Manchester Loft Conversions.

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

Loft conversions Manchester generally uses one of four basic types of loft conversion. The eventual choice that you make will depend upon a few loft designs factors.

We will advise you upon a choice of loft designs that’s based up on

• your finances and budget,
• any planning restrictions that may apply to your property
• your own personal preferences.
• your existing roof design

Four Basic Types of Loft Conversion Design

We provide a brief outline here.

1 Velux or rooflight loft design conversions. A Velux window will fit flush in line with the roof.  The existing roof structure is left untouched so it does not require major external alteration.

2 A dormer designed loft conversion is an extension of your existing roof.  Its a good option because it will give you additional floor space and headroom in your loft conversion.

3 A Mansard roof. This has two slopes with the top being almost horizontal. Other factors allowing, this is the loft design to go for if you want to maximise the space within your new loft conversion.

4 Hip To Gable Loft Conversion. This does need some major changes to the roof of your property. The gable wall will be built up to the existing ridge line. Then a new section of roof is added to complete the new space.

These are the four basic types of loft conversion designs.

Roof Light Window - This window sits in line with the roof

Loft Conversions Manchester will be pleased to chat over any questions you may have about your loft conversions project.

If you are considering a loft conversion in Manchester then you need to know the ‘10 Facts’ in our guide to starting your Manchester loft conversion project.

It’s invaluable information in very easy, short, digestible format.

It tells you what you need to look out for and how to ensure your loft conversion project avoids a number of potential pitfalls. Even some experienced loft conversion companies are not aware of all the facts in this short guide!

We have put the guide together so you don’t start a project, then find it runs into trouble. In the end it will only cost you time and money! Avoid that by reading this custom guide.

John

Loft Conversions Manchester.