Loft conversion or extension: What’s best for you?
Have you been thinking about undergoing home improvements to give you more living space? Whether you have an expanding family or you’re just craving the room to spread out, extra space could be transformative for your home. You might be weighing up your options, and have encountered the possibility of a loft conversion and a home extension. You may be asking, which is the best option for you? Let’s find out…
Both an extension and a loft conversion add valuable space to your home, and a lot of the time these different extension types have different purposes. For example, if you’re needing an extra bedroom, a loft conversion may be ideal for you, but if you want more spacious mealtimes you might want to think about a ground floor kitchen extension. Your first priority, then, is to decide what you would need out of your extra space.
The cost of expansion
When debating how to expand your home, you should take into account your budget. A lot of the time, a loft conversion will be able to save you some money, being the cost-effective option. This is because, depending on the type of loft conversion you decide on, there is less need to build new spaces if you are making the most of the space the home already has. In an extension, you are creating an entirely new room, so there are inevitable costs that come along with that.
The added value
The added value of a loft conversion or an extension will depend on your property and how much space the expansion adds. If your house extension on a lower level encroaches into your outdoor space, this could mean that the value of your home doesn’t go up as much as you would like it to. Garden space is valuable in a home, but if outside space is plentiful for you then a large garden as well as a rear extension with more living space can add up to 5-50% more value to your home.
Adding an extra double bedroom into your home, though, can boost the value of your property by as much as 30%! This can be increased even further if your expansion includes an ensuite, as an extra bedroom and a bathroom will mean your property has more amenities to offer. It can also help you conserve garden space due to the conversion moving upwards, still allowing you to add space to your home.
When you’re considering extending your property, it’s also important to take into account the ceiling price of the properties around you. This is the maximum price that a house in the area will sell for. If adding on space to your home will cost you more than the amount of value you will gain by adding on space, you may have to question whether it is worth it.
The disruptive element
In general, a loft conversion will result in less disruption for your day to day life. The work will be concentrated to an area of your home that you weren’t using anyway, allowing you to be reasonably undisturbed. In a home extension, the lower level of your property will have to be worked on, which means that your kitchen will likely be a bit of a construction site for a while! This must be taken into account when you’re thinking about the process – you may have to move out while your expansion is taking place. For most loft conversions and some extensions, you can stay in your home.
The storage in your home
The one element of a loft conversion to think about is the storage space that you will be losing. Where a home extension will be able to give you more storage, a loft conversion takes it away. However, most people are pleasantly surprised by just how much storage space is possible in the eaves of the loft if it is well designed and though out. If you can find a way to store all of your belongings, a loft conversion is beyond worth it! Maybe it’s the opportunity for an overdue clear out too…
The planning permission process
When expanding your home, it’s very likely that you will need planning permission. When consulting with a company, they’ll be able to tell you if your loft is able to be converted and whether you’ll need planning permission for it. This will be the same for a home extension, and here at Touchstone Lofts, we’ll be able to take care of the planning permission process for you.
Most conversions are done under permitted development so planning permission not required. Touchstone lofts are experts at planning and will obtain a “letter of lawful development” for you.
If your mind still isn’t made up, why not speak to one of our experts to get their knowledgeable advice? We can carry out your loft conversion or home extension to the highest quality. Give us a call on 0800 881 8194.