Don’t make these 5 mistakes when converting your loft

When you are crying out for more space at home, but can’t face or afford to move, a loft conversion could be just what your home needs to allow your family room to breathe again. Almost all lofts are suitable for conversion and a loft conversion is one of the least expensive options when it comes to expanding your property.

A loft conversion also gives you a great return on investment. While the average cost to convert a loft comes in at between £30,000 and £40,000, adding an extra room to your home can increase your property’s value by as much as £60,000. In certain areas, such as London, an extra bedroom will increase the value of your home by much more.

Loft conversions can be a fabulous addition to the home when done correctly. But, when things go wrong they can cause untold problems. To avert disasters, don’t make these mistakes when converting your loft.

If done right, a loft conversion can have a positive impact on the overall value of your home. You can find out how much it’s worth and get a cash offer at The Property Buying Company.

  1. Don’t attempt a DIY loft conversion yourself (unless you are an expert)

Did you know that loft conversions are one of the most likely home improvement projects to go wrong? Loft conversions are specialist projects and are not the domain of everyday builders. You should always seek the advice of an expert loft conversion specialist. DIY crusaders should NOT attempt such a project unless they have the specialist knowledge or help to do so.

  1. Don’t assume planning permission isn’t required

A major advantage with loft conversions is the fact that (in most cases) you don’t need planning permission. Usually a loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, subject to specified limits and conditions. The England and Wales planning portal offers guidance on the limits and conditions applicable to loft conversions.

However, don’t make the mistake of assuming you don’t need planning permission. Some properties don’t have permitted development rights, so you would still be required to submit a full planning application.

Always seek guidance from your local council about whether or not you need to apply for planning permission. This is especially important if you live in a flat, maisonette, a conservation area or in a period property. You can read more about the technical guidance on permitted development for householders on the government website.

Also, be sure to adhere to permitted development rules as flouting them will only cause you grief later on, especially if a neighbour complains to the council about the work, or you later decide to sell your home.

  1. Don’t forget you have to get building regulations approval

It’s a common occurrence that people haven’t sought building regulations approval for a loft conversion but come unstuck when they try to sell their home. Building regulations approval is a requirement for any loft conversion. A loft conversion is a material change of use, so for safety reasons building regulations need to be met. This involves an inspection to ensure the work is of a safe standard. An inspector will check the floor is of appropriate strength, that there is sufficient headroom above the staircase, ensure fire safety is adhered to, and also check thermal efficiency, electrics, plumbing and glazing.

If you share a wall with a neighbour, it is also likely you will need to have a Party Wall Agreement in place before you start any work.

  1. Don’t assume the most expensive quote is the best

When choosing a loft conversion specialist, don’t necessarily assume the most expensive quote is from the best contractor. People often make the mistake of choosing a loft conversion specialist purely from a financial perspective. Do your homework. Check out reviews and even ask potential contractors if they can put you in touch with previous clients. You may be able to speak with a past client to find out how highly they recommend the company.

Nothing beats a recommendation from a family member or friend when it comes to using a loft conversion company. It also means you will be able to inspect the quality of work first hand before you commit.

  1. Don’t leave design to chance

Many people assume a loft conversion is a fairly straightforward home improvement project, but not only are there compliance issues within permitted development rights, there are also practical considerations according to what type of roof you have.

The type of roof you have will dictate much of the design. Certain roof types have more flexibility when it comes to design than others. You can find more information about the main types of loft conversions here, including roof loft extensions, hip to gable loft conversions and dormer conversions.

Consider the layout of your loft and prioritise furniture pieces, storage and any bathroom facilities that need maximum head room. Check out this list of online furniture stores to help in finding designs that will accommodate your new loft design. Also consider the positioning of the stairs at an early stage. It can be a worthwhile investment to consult an architect to produce drawings to present to loft builders for quotes. Some loft conversion specialists also have designers within their team.

Don’t let these common mistakes put you off. Having a loft conversion will transform your home. Just be aware of the pitfalls. Good Luck!

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

UK monthly property transactions for May 2025

Headline statistics from the latest transactions data include: the provisional seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK residential transactions in May 2025 is 81,470, 12% lower than May 2024 and 25% higher than April 2025 the provisional non-seasonally adjusted estimate of the number of UK residential transactions in May 2025 is 80,530, 13% lower than May 2024 and…
Read More
Breaking News

Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB) shows the Government has a plan

The Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB) held its first board meeting today (26 June 2025), where it set out a roadmap for recruiting 100,000 more construction workers a year by the end of Parliament. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB) is a recognition…
Read More
Paint Stripper Tools
Estate Agent Talk

5 Strategies to Optimise Your Warehouse for Real Estate

The term fixer-upper can mean many things, from ‘slap some paint on the walls and it looks brand new’ to ‘will this building collapse if we open the front door?’ Indeed, in the dicey world of commercial property acquisition, each warehouse you buy will probably fall into both camps. Thinking about the viability of warehouses…
Read More
Breaking News

HMOs sell for up to 50% above market average

New research from Excellion Capital, the boutique debt advisory and investment firm, reveals that HMOs sell for as much as 50% above the average house price, further increasing their investment potential after it was revealed that HMOs also create rental yields of up to 12.5%. After previous research from Excellion Capital recently showed that the…
Read More
Breaking News

UK buyers struggle while 50,000 homes sit empty

As the UK housing crisis deepens, new analysis by Open Property Group exposes a worrying surge in so-called “zombie homes”- properties that sit unoccupied and deteriorating while millions struggle to access affordable housing. Key insights: 50,000+ long-term vacant homes in England alone 23,000+ of these have been empty for more than two years Estimated £13.6…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 26/06/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The UK is Europe’s second most distressed market despite headline GDP growth Retail and Consumers Goods has emerged as the most distressed sector in Europe, with distress levels now the highest since the global financial crisis, according to the latest Weil European Distress Index (WEDI). The…
Read More