Loft conversions in Raynes Park, London, have become a popular way to add space to your existing home. Already properties are expensive in this lovely, quiet neighbourhood near Wimbledon, so that when you need more space, it becomes quite difficult to sell your property in the hopes of replacing it with a bigger home, at the same or similar price. It will not happen. The best, most practical and financially sensible option is to look at how you will benefit from a loft conversion.
A LOFT CONVERSION – THE POSITIVES
So, what are the positives, the advantages, the benefits to be enjoyed when you convert the loft space in your roof to offer you more room? There are many good reasons why a homeowner in Raynes Park or other part of London and further out would want to consider a loft conversion, and not selling their home.
Just think of how versatile the existing “dead” space is. You can turn it into an additional bedroom with en suite bathroom, you can use it as an area where you can switch off from the rest of the household with your book, you may offer the space to your teenagers that need more independence, you may want to move your office there. The benefits are amazing. You do not have to leave your beloved home and suburb; simply call in the services of a loft conversion/extensions company in the region.
IS IT NECESSARY TO GET PLANNING PERMISSION?
Even though some projects such as a basic loft conversion may not require the owner to get permission from the authorities first, it is always a good idea and advisable to find out where you stand with regard to the loft conversion you are considering. Better be safe than sorry later.
Normally builders, architects and loft conversion specialists who work with these issues all the time, know what the limitations are and which permissions are easy to acquire. Because you are most likely going to employ the services of a good loft conversion/extension specialist in your suburb, let them help you enquire and make sure the project is completed with all permissions in place.
As a rule of thumb: small conversions, especially of the dormer loft conversion and the hip-to-gable conversion, seldom require permission as they fall under permitted development; however, the mansard conversion, because it raises the pitch of the roof on one side, and will change the shape of the original structure of the roof, will always need permission. But, as mentioned before, always make sure you have the permission you may need for the conversion/extension.
TIME SCHEDULE
Since you need to plan ahead, it is good to know how long it takes for permission to be granted. As a general rule: your local authority cannot waste time and is obliged to provide answers within 4 to 8 weeks for a straightforward application and up to 13 weeks for a more complicated application.
BUILDING REGULATIONS
It is important to know what you will use your loft space for in order to establish what the requirements are in terms of permission. If, for example, your converted loft is going to be used for storage, make sure you get permission since not all loft floors are designed to carry heavy items in storage all the time. The same is true for a space that is developed into bedroom with bathroom; it is important to know that your existing ceiling joists will indeed be able to carry the load. In this case it is very likely that you will have to install new floor joists to help the existing joists carry the new burden.
For this purpose you may need the input of a structural engineer. Also make sure load-bearing walls can carry the new weight. Once again: ask a professional to make sure you meet the requirements.
Even though the above may sound as if it is burdensome to get all the permission you may need, it actually is not – not when weighed up against the benefits of having your loft converted into a usable space.
About Us
At LMB Group we offer clients across London and Surrey our years’ experience as leading loft conversion and extension experts. Our company is a CIOB (Charted Institute of Building) accredited service and therefore belongs to a select group of services known for meeting the highest standards in the building industry. We offer clients that need to add space and value to their homes a great many choices and different loft conversion and extension options, all backed by many years in the industry and professionally executed by our experienced teams. We are a professional, trusted company with many successful projects under the belt, and with the passion to ensure that every task we take on, is completed to clients’ satisfaction.
