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We know that circumstances change, and life can be unpredictable at the best of times. So it’s no surprise when we hear of clients who are looking for more space in their newly built home. But is it possible? Well, it’s not quite a yes or a no answer. There are several factors to take into account when looking to convert your new-build loft, and we’ll try to cover all of them for you here in this blog.
The most common issue facing loft conversions in modern-day homes is the roof structure itself. Traditionally, roofs were made of thick-cut joists, with fewer cross-sections that could support more weight. But, as building methods and materials have evolved, you’ll often find that new buildings contain thin joists, with a W-shaped cross-section, reinforced with lots of cross-bracing for rigidity. So, no matter how big the loft might seem, the main problem here is space.
Then there’s the supportive ability of the joists themselves. Due to their thinner structure, the joists that would typically become the base for your floorboards may not be strong enough to support the weight that your loft conversion would require.
If things are starting to sound complicated or impossible, don’t panic. There might still be options for you to expand your space yet. We offer free first-time consultations to all of our customers, so we can help you to decide if a loft conversion is right for you without spending a penny.
Just because the loft space is part of your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you own it. While this might come as a surprise, a large number of properties, including flats, come under a category known as leasehold. Leaseholds can get confusing, but to put them simply, while your property would be considered personally yours, the land, and thus your home, is technically owned by another party. This could also mean the same for long-term renters, and those in shared-ownership schemes.
To make sure you don’t lose out on your hard-earned money, it’s essential to make sure you have the rights to make alterations on your home, or, find a way to purchase and secure these rights.
If we had to choose one, this point probably matters the most. Ensuring you have the right amount of height for your loft conversion is essential. If you don’t have enough, your options could be limited, or the cost to construct could become a little too much for comfort.
If you’ve got access to your loft, you can measure your space with just a tape measure. Read the distance between the top of the floor joists to the underside of the ridge beam (the highest beam at the roof tip). Ideally, this will be 2.4 metres or more, leaving you with 2.2 metres after the conversion.
There are a couple of final things to think about before you go ahead and start planning your big home project. In some cases, you could need planning permission or a third-party wall agreement. If you’re unsure of what these are, we’ve broken them down into more detail for you here.
It’s also essential to make sure when choosing your conversion team that you make sure they’re covered by a comprehensive insurance plan that offers you an Insurance Backed Guarantee. We’ve partnered with HomePro to provide a full 10-year guarantee on all of our loft conversions.
There’s no denying that loft conversions on newer homes can come with their challenges. But, we make the complex simple, breaking everything down into an easy-to-understand plan, and pricing each step, so you know exactly where your money is going.
If you’re currently living in or moving into a newly built home, and you’re wondering if a loft conversion is the right fit for you, then give our friendly team a call and book your free, no-obligation valuation.
If you’re ready to sit back and enjoy a Simply Easy Refurb on your home, contact us today.
