How Much Value Does a Loft Conversion Add?

Is Your Loft Suitable for a Conversion?

First of all, it’s important to ensure that you have a suitable loft for conversion. While planning permission is not needed for most loft conversion types as they come under permitted development, there are some guidelines that you will need to follow including minimum height and width requirements in the loft. Bear in mind that once flooring, walls, and other building work have been done, your loft space will reduce in size. Along with this, you will need to make sure that your home meets fire regulations as there needs to be a suitable fire exit from the loft to an outdoor exit on the ground floor. 

Budget for a Loft Conversion

Before deciding if a loft conversion is the best option for your home, it’s important to weigh up the costs to see if the value it can add to your property is going to be worth it. Several factors will determine how much you can expect to pay for a loft conversion including the type of conversion that you are going for and what kind of room you are going to turn it into. For example, the average cost of a dormer loft conversion that is going to be used as a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom is around £35k-£45k. 

Different Loft Conversion Types

Before deciding if a loft conversion is the right option for increasing the value of your home, it’s a good idea to learn more about the different types. These are:

Roof Light: A simple conversion involving adding Velux windows to the existing loft. 

Dormer: An extension protruding from the sloped side of the roof. They can be fitted on any type of property and extend the loft space, adding enough room for a master bedroom and ensuite bathroom to be created. 

Mansard: This loft conversion runs along the length of the roof, altering the slope angle to make it almost vertical. It is the costliest type of loft conversion but it adds a huge amount of space to the property. Like a dormer conversion, it can be used on any type of house. 

Hip-to-Gable: This extends the length of the slope on the side of the property, known as the hip. It creates a vertical wall on one side of the roof, increasing the loft space inside. It requires a free sloping roof on one side of the house so can only be done on semi- and detached houses. 

How Much Will Your Home Value Increase?

How much value you can add to your home by having a loft conversion done will once again depend on several factors including the type of loft conversion and the type of room it adds to the property. A study by Nationwide on homes with loft conversions found that a dormer loft conversion that is used as a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom can add around twenty percent to the previous value of a three-bedroom home. In London, a loft conversion can increase the value of your home even more, adding around twenty-five percent of the previous value to a two-bedroom property. 

If you want to add value to your home along with making the property larger without extending, a loft conversion could be the ideal choice. 

If adding value to your home is an option you are after and are looking at loft conversions, contact our friendly team at Simply Easy Refurbs for all the advice you need.