In the last two blogs we looked at the planning permissions and building regulations stages of this process (please bear in mind that they are not the same thing – for further clarification read our previous blogs to help you or contact us).

Now we finally get to the selection process…

Choosing your workforce

Choosing your workforce is a very important part of this as we have expressed time and time again. We’re not saying it’s only worth using Modern Attics however! Do the research yourself. Ask for recommendations from friends, look for online testimonials, get free quotes and check the prices. Be prepared!

By placing emphasis on this extensive selection process you weed out the cowboy builders. Cowboy builders come in all forms and even when they appear to charge you less, you can be sure they will cut corners and end up costing you far more in the long-term. Remember, this is an investment not a quick job to give the appearance that your home is better put together than it really is. When it comes to buying property people do their research too.

Building an extension requires a lot of work, and it would be prudent, for those who can afford it, to invest in a professional project manager to oversee the entire process. If you can afford a project manager, they will take care of organising any labour and supplies that will be needed. This saves you the massive headache of being in charge of doing everything yourself. Find a good project manager or a reliable workforce and your job is pretty much done.

There are reputable tradesmen, architects and builders who can help you and impartially advise you. If you can, talk to several different contractors and ask for quotes on your proposed extension. Collate the quotes together and make an informed decision. Ensure that when you get your quotes that the building extensions firm has included all of the building supplies in the quote itself. Find out if any specialised materials are required and how much they add on. Detailed breakdowns of all of these costs should be made available to you. if you know anyone in the business take the quotes to them for more advice on making a decision.

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with asking to see the contractors or builders previous work. In fact, they should display it proudly on their website.

We’re not quite done talking you through the building extensions process yet as there is still some other major pieces of this particular puzzle missing. If you can’t wait for more information please contact us for a free quote or advice.

Addressing the issue of Building Regulations

After you have sent your plans to the council for review they will be put on the Planning Register for public viewing. Your local council will appoint a committee to make a decision regarding your plans. This process can take 4-8 weeks to be approved. If permission is granted the planned works must be completed within a five year period. This allows you plenty of time to put the plans into action. That’s where a company like Modern Attics come into play.

Of course, on the off-chance that planning permission is denied then alterations can be made to the plans to adjust accordingly to the problems raised by the council. A resubmission will then be required without any further charge. Remember, if denied you can always appeal within three months of the decision. If you fail to apply for planning permission but go ahead with a building extension you may face heavy fines and any completed work might have to be demolished. You can always obtain further information from your local authority.

Government building regulations are a separate issue to planning permissions. Complying with these relations, if applicable to your development, is essential. Reputable building services will be able to help you in ensuring that your extension meets all the required Building Regulations. It is extremely important to ensure that your extension is approved for both.

To achieve compliance with Building Regulations, you or your architect/builders must submit full and detailed plans of the proposed extension, together with the appropriate application form and fee, to your Local Planning Authority.

Surveyors will examine your plans and check to guarantee that the design and proceeding works accord with the Building Regulations. You or your builders will be required to notify the council before the work commences and at various stages throughout the project. Inspections can be made to ensure that the work being carried out from the laying of foundations to drain installations are being implemented according to the standards set forth. This is a good system to protect you and ensures that an independent party is monitoring the works being carried out on your home.

If everything is okay come the final inspection then a certificate of completion will be issued to the homeowner. Check with your local authority to find out more about Building Regulations or read our blog about it HERE.

We’ll be back with more on building extensions in coming weeks. If you would like to know more before then please contact us at Modern Attics for a free building extensions quote and information.

There is some relevance to these discussions beyond all the fear mongering; at least as far as our specialist business is concerned. Spiralling house prices are forcing more people to stick with their current properties even if it may not be an entirely convenient option. Instead of selling up, people are choosing to extend their existing properties to add value for the future.

We’re not trying to say that the cost of building an extension to your home is cheap as chips but it WILL add significant value. Factoring in considerations before extension work is actually undertaken is an important first step of course. What do you want out of this building extension? Take into account things like initial designs, planning applications, labour costs and material costs.

In the first part of this blog series on building extensions (not exclusive to loft conversions) and the many, many elements involved with the process from planning to finished product. Let’s start with the design and planning stage:

Planning your building extension

You have to maintain (to some extent) the look and feel of your property as it stands unless there is going to be significant overhaul on everything anyway. Match the prominent features of the building such as the existing materials & fixtures to ensure a sense of continuity. It all starts with thinking about the combination of practicality and suitability versus aesthetics and style.

During this planning application process you should check with your neighbours to make sure they will be aware of the works being carried out and if they will be okay with it. Hopefully you will be able to assure them that the extension will blend in with the other properties. If they have objections and concerns it’s better to address them before rather than during or after the building extension.

The best thing to do when developing an devising a building extension plan is to hire an architect for direct advice on feasibility. Make sure the architect your bring in is suitably qualified to do this for you of course. If unsure of a person’s qualifications or credentials you can always go through a professional building extensions or loft conversions specialist instead. Always read the testimonials or ask around your friends who they may have used that come highly recommended.

Through an architect or professional building extension specialists you can get comprehensive extension advice, planning permissions, local factors, drawing up detailed specifications etc. Architects and independents often offer to stay on as Project Managers in some cases.

The next stage of the planning is the most essential; planning permissions. We have covered this extensively in previous blogs but just to go over it again, planning permissions are necessary to obtain under certain conditions incorporating aspects like the land your home is on, the local council’s stipulations about your street (if any), appearance of the building, road access, landscaping and the environment plus various other considerations. For more information on planning permissions please CLICK HERE.

In the next part of this series we will get deeper into the planning process. Please keep reading an if you need a free building extensions quote please Contact Us.

We are often asked at Modern Attics about whether or not a person needs permission to build an extension to their own house. In terms of building regulation approval, the answer is yes, unless the extension is a garage or conservatory within certain restrictions.

Planning permissions can be required under the following circumstances:

For single storey rear extensions

• On a detached house, the extension extends beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 4 metres.
• For any other house, the extension extends beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3 metres.
• The extension exceeds 4 metres in height.

For Rear Extensions Of More Than One-Storey

• The extension extends beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 3 metres.
• The extension would be located within 7 metres of any boundary of the property opposite the rear wall of the house.

For Side Extensions

• The extension exceeds 4 metres in height.
• The extension has more than one-storey.
• The extension has a width that is greater than half that of the original house.

In A Conservation Area Development Is Not Permitted If:

• It would consist or include the cladding of any part of the exterior of the house with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles.
• The enlarged part of the house would extend beyond a wall forming a side elevation of the original house.
• The enlarged part of the house would have more than one-storey high AND extend beyond the rear wall of the original house.

These developments are permitted subject to the following conditions:

• The building materials for the external construction should be of similar appearance to those of the existing dwelling materials
• The edge of the enlargement closest to the eaves of the original roof should not be less than 20cm from the eaves of the original roof.
• Any windows inserted in the wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the dwelling shall be obscured-glazed and non-opening

For more information on loft conversions and building extensions please contact Modern Attics for some free advice and a free quote.

This concludes are FAQ on planning permissions and building regulations. There is of course always more to be considered and discussed regarding this subject but there is simply too much to put into one blog. Perhaps in our next outing we can explore other areas related to this particular one.

In the meantime see our pages on planning permissions, building regulations, statutory consents and party walls.

In terms of Building Regulation Approval the answer is yes. This is mainly due to the complex nature of fire regulations today. The best course of action is to consult a building control surveyor on the specifics of your conversion. You are able to submit your plans to them as well if you already have had something drawn up.

In terms of Planning Permission, when it comes to roof additions and alterations and you are located in a conservation area then you will again require planning permission.

If you are only planning internal works then you wouldn’t need planning consent unless you live in a Listed Building. If you live in a ListedBuilding, you will need listed building consent for any significant works whether internal or external.

Planning permissions will need to be acquired under the following circumstances if you are having alterations or additions made to the roof:

• If any part of the house would exceed the highest part of the existing house roof
• If any part of the house would extend beyond the plane of any existing roof slope
• If the roof space would exceed that of the original roof space by more than: (40 cubic metres on a terraced house or 50 cubic metres on any other house)
• If the works include the construction of a balcony or raised platforms
• If the works include the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney or vent pipe.
• If more than 50% of the land surrounding the original house was covered with buildings.
• If the enlarged/extended part of the house would be located within 2 metres of the property boundary and the height of the eaves of the enlarged/extended part exceeds 3 metres.
• If the extension includes the installation, alteration or replacement of microwave antenna.

Development will be permitted under the following conditions:

• The building materials for the external construction should be of similar appearance to those of the existing dwelling materials
• The edge of the enlargement closest to the eaves of the original roof should not be less than 20cm from the eaves of the original roof.
• Any windows inserted in the wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the dwelling shall be obscured-glazed and non-opening

Planning permission can be required if the permitted development rights for your property have been removed.

These are just some of the essential reasons for planning permissions involving loft conversions. Many times it is not required. It all depends on your property type, it’s location and your plans for it. For more information on planning permissions and loft conversions please Contact Us at Modern Attics.

There’s more to come so make sure to return soon for more in our definitive FAQ on planning permissions and building regulations.

Loft conversions are only a small part of redesigning your home as it only covers one room. We have talked you through the loft conversions process in detail, but what of the rest of the house? Surely, there is some advice we can give you to help you make the rest of the home live up to your newly converted loft?

The first thing you need to think about and understand is that your home is an extension of who you are and represents you. The main place to start with each room is a focal point. It could be anything. For example;

• Lounge/den – a fireplace/television
• Kitchen – a breakfast bar/table
• Bedroom – the bed/a painting above it
• Bathroom – the sink/mirror

The best way to judge what should be a focal point for your room is to decide what you like to see in the room as the focus – it can be anything really.

Once you have this figured out start thinking about how you feel about each room and what their function is.

• Lounge/den – relaxation?
• Kitchen – work/food/preparations?
• Bedroom – rest/sleep/play?
• Bathroom – relief/cleanliness?

Once you understand how it is you want to feel in each space then picking a colour scheme and arranging your furniture is a lot easier. We will discuss colour schemes and furniture orientations in more detail in another blog.

Consider your area. Do you live in a particularly cold part of the country? Are you more likely to experience moodier, bleaker weather than warm, sunny weather? Colour schemes should try to reflect warmth through warmer colours rather than neutral ones.

Once you have decided upon your colour pallet(s) and you have arranged your focal point for each of the key rooms you will start to find that placing the furniture is an easier task. Remember that all pieces will participate in creating the environment. You don’t have to purchase new items, just use what you already have and form a new layout based around the focal point.

This can help to improve the space and size of individual rooms, create better aesthetics and ultimately make it feel and look like a better representation of you and the people you live with. Contact us for more information.

Well, you be wrong! Clearly you haven’t been reading our blog series on loft conversions! There is always more to say about the process; always more ideas to give; always more aspects and elements to address. So for first timers reading up on loft conversion in London or anywhere else in the UK here is our beginners guide to the whole shebang…

These are simple, effective points to help you get to grips with making your loft into a habitable space.

1.       Making Sense of your loft

Get up there regardless of how damp and dark it might be, and begin thinking about how to make the space work for you. Taking measurements is recommended (just be careful – see our LOFT SAFETY TIPS) and you’ll find that there may be only so much usable space.

2.       Maximise your usage of space

Use the headroom, eaves spaces, corners – anything that accommodates for more space or room for storage.

3.       Daylight

Natural light is important. Are you going to use rooflights or dormer windows?

4.       Decide on what you want the loft to become

Shower room? Guest bedroom? Bathroom en suite? Storage?

Think about what you want. Think practically. There’s no point in putting a bathroom there if you’re not going to use it. Make it a room you want or need.

5.       Stairway to heaven

Staircases are imperative to a loft conversion – they provide easy access, fire safety and aesthetics. Sometimes, there’s only one place it can go, but you’ve got to think quite creatively about that. Make it efficient, practical and safe, and compliant to building regulations.

6.       Insulation

Loft conversions provide a perfect opportunity to insulate the area. Doubling up on the insulation is always a good idea.

Ultimately, the loft conversions process is designed to give your loft a room with a view and add value to your home. It’s as simple as that.

For more information on loft conversions and to find out whether your loft is viable please contact us at Modern Attics for more details.

Continuing on from where we left off with our ideas and tips (read PART 1 HERE and PART 2 HERE) we thought we should mention the specifics behind a conversion and what aspects of an attic you need to look at: 

• Headroom space – in an ideal world the more headroom the better but in general cases between 7 and 8 feet is the standard minimum measurement needed.

• Size & complexity – taking into account design choice there may come a point when a designer or an architect needs to be consulted. The complexity of the attic space and the design itself all become major factors in the planning stages.

• Safety – your roof space will need to be assessed for suitability taking into account the need for fire escape points and fire safety. Speaking of safety concerns that leads us nicely onto… 

• Staircase – these are an essential part of successful attic conversions and installations. Access is everything for both practicality and safety purposes.

• Structural Stability – we have covered this extensively in a previous blog but checks must carried out on ceiling joists, load bearing walls and foundations to make sure that the environment is stable.

• Fire Resistance – materials of a fire resistant nature plus fire doors will be needed to adhere to fire safety standards. 

• Planning permissions – in most cases attic conversions don’t always need planning permission, only if your roof space is restricted. Other permissions to consider are building regulations and the Party Wall Act. You can consult your building team about these things. 

• Plumbing – most homes operate a boiler from the attic space. This needs to be factored in to the design proposal and whether or not it has the capacity to heat an extra room and still function correctly.

• Energy Conservation – this is an optional factor but it might be of importance to certain homeowners regarding energy efficiency and making the attic conversion green.

• Ventilation – the need for clean air to be pumped into the living environment and the venting out of moist or stale air is a further consideration that should be built into the design plans.

This criteria is the essential elements that need to be met or addressed. These are the immediate concerns before any attic conversion is even properly considered. It is always recommended to have your design plans professionally drawn up so nothing is left unaddressed. Remember to keep thinking about how a professional conversion will add to the overall value of your property. You want to get it right!

Contact us for a free quote for attic conversions.

In this follow-up we thought we would explore this further and give you some more advice on what can be achieved through attic conversions.  It all depends on what is achievable with the space you have and what exactly it is you are looking to convert it into.

For example, a basic storage solution can often be done literally within a few days. If it is a simple conversion like this that you want to have implemented it can still boost the value of your property with no more than an investment of £1000 to install joists, a new hatch, new lighting and a loft ladder.

So what of specific conversion ideas?

Generally speaking, for a full-scale and professionally designed & built attic conversion, the cost can fall anywhere between £15,000 and £40,000.

1.   Small attic conversion projects that include the use and application of joists, roof lights and staircases plus insulation, plaster-board and electrical fixing are very common attic conversions in London. This is primarily due to the fact that some properties do not have that much significant space up there to create something more substantial.

2.   Medium attic conversions often incorporate the same elements that a small conversion does. However, they are larger in scale and therefore in price too. These are often priced at above £18,000.

3.   Large attic conversions are where we see the more substantial rooms created including potential new rooms such as bedroom, den, playroom, bathroom, bedroom with en suite, lounge/living area, etc.  Expect large attic conversions to cost upwards of £25,000.

Consider the following as important options available for any or all conversion types, some are even mandatory necessities.

• Loft stairs (essential for fire safety)
• Roof lights (achieve natural light and open up the space
• Dormers (again another aspect of fire safety)

It is crucial to discuss your particular attic conversion with the company you hired. There are always variables for each conversion that need to be taken into account including budget, headroom, plumbing, structural stability and many other factors.

These aspects of the loft conversion process can have major effects on the planning and development stage. We shall take you through these aspects in the next blog to help you get better clarity of the problems.

But you don’t have to wait to get a free quote for loft conversions from us. Just click HERE.

So here’s a list of tips to keep you safe…

1. Take a torch with you (ideally a headlamp so your hands are free and there is less chance of dropping the light source).

2. Wear a hardhat. It may sound like an extreme overreaction but it provides protection from any exposed nails or head bumps on the rafters.

3. Get a mask to cover your mouth as there will be plenty of longstanding dust floating in the air.

4. We also recommend you wear gloves as the dirt factor in lofts in usually severe.

5. Don’t count out wearing safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes against fibreglass insulation, dust particles and other assorted debris that become eye irritants. Make sure the goggles give you clear visibility as well.

6. Ensure that you only walk on the rafters. It’s all too easy to take a misstep and literally fall through your loft floor into the room below.

7. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly watching out for exposed electrical live wires and pipes which can be tripped over.  If you find any wires be sure to cap them (wearing rubber gloves!)

8. Ideally, you should not spend too much time in the attic dues to the heat and dusty conditions. Give yourself a time limit and know what your objective is in being up there before you actually go up.

9. Always have someone with you or waiting below as a safety precaution. If something goes wrong you have a safety net so to speak.

10. When it comes to preparing the loft for a conversion be sure to consult the professionals first! If not for hire, then at least for good safety and planning advice.

Modern Attics is extremely well versed in loft conversion and attic safety. For further information on the process of working or exploring your loft space, or for details on loft conversions in general, please Contact Us.