Loft conversions are a sizeable investment for any property owner.
You will likely end up spending several thousands of pounds on a project like this.
In the blog below, we have outlined what average loft conversions are and 5 ways you can reduce them.
How much do loft conversions cost?
Loft conversions typically cost between £20,000 and £60,000 in the UK.
The final figure varies depending on:
- The type of conversion: A basic Velux window conversion might start at around £20,000, while a more extensive dormer window conversion could cost upwards of £40,000
- The area of the country it’s done in: Different local builders will have different costs.
- The size of the conversion: Larger loft conversions obviously cost more money. However, they also have a cheaper cost per square metre
Why get a loft conversion?
A loft conversion involves transforming a loft into a functional room.
In many cases, this type of project will be turning a loft into a bedroom, but not always.
Loft conversions will almost always increase the value of your property.
In some cases, some cases they can be transformed into flats. Family members or even tenants can move into these.
(An alternative to this is building a granny annexe.)
1. Get lots of price quotations
When the time comes to search for experts who can carry out your loft conversion.
Many professionals in your area who are able to complete this sort of transformation. So, you should get many price quotations and read many reviews before making a decision.
2. Follow the correct procedures (to avoid fines)
It is not uncommon for loft conversions in the UK to require planning permission. You should therefore follow all the correct procedures before, during and after getting work completed.
If you violate building regulations, it can result in fines or lawsuits. These are typically very expensive and will destroy any cost savings you may have made elsewhere in the process of converting your loft.
3. Find parts of the conversion with you can do yourself
There may be aspects of loft conversions that you can do yourself to save costs. Examples include:
- Decoration
- Painting
- Tiling.
Obviously, you don’t want to compromise the quality of the final result, so only do these if you are confident in your abilities.
4. Consider how much space you need
Before any work begins, you should pay close attention to the amount of space that you will need in your converted room.
Although everyone wants an extensive conversion, as it often provides a more impressive end result and may add more value to your house, larger conversions cost more money.
You should consider how you can achieve your desired end result, without wasting any space.
If the loft conversion will be used a bedroom, for example, then have a conversation with the person who will be living there to discuss how space can be saved.
5. Choose the right materials
Your choice of materials also has a significant impact on the cost of your conversion.
If you choose materials which are too cheap for your loft conversion, the end result with be second-rate. You will then likely have to re-do much of the work sooner than you would like. This will almost always end up costing more in the long-term.
On the other hand, using overly expensive materials may incur unnecessary costs, when a slightly cheaper option would have also been sufficient.
You could therefore try to identify the ‘medium’ ranked materials that provide the best return on investment. Independent experts should be able to provide guidance on this topic.
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