Are loft conversions a good idea

Are you finding that your home, which once had all the space you needed, is now getting smaller and smaller? As your family grows, so too do the contents – as a result it can very quickly start to feel like the walls are closing in on you.

You could move to a bigger house, of course. But perhaps you’re perfectly happy in your current home and want to stay or maybe you can’t afford to move right now. Your next option is to build an extension, but again this is costly, could take some time to get approved let alone built and then even when you are at the building stage, your home will be turned upside down leaving you feeling like you live on a building site for months on end.

So how do you get that space you need? Well, there is actually a large space in your home you may not have even considered making use of – your loft.

Since the day you moved in it has probably been a space for storage – a place to put all the items you don’t want to get rid of but don’t have anywhere else for them. Or maybe it is just full of junk that you should have really got rid of a long time ago.

Whether you are after another bedroom, bathroom, office or playroom – a loft conversion is a great way to get it.

If sorting through the clutter and finding somewhere else for these items is putting you off – it shouldn’t. This is a perfect time to have a clear out – throw out the rubbish and donate what you can to charity. Then sell the rest because you know what they say – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure – and you might just find you make more than expected to put towards the upcoming costs.

Finally, anything that is left – which you don’t have space for but don’t want to get rid of – can be put in storage. You can get a space much bigger or smaller than your loft – depending on what you need and will have peace of mind that your items are safe and accessible when you need them.

Unlike an extension, most loft conversions do not need planning permission as they fall within the category: Permitted Development Rights. It is also a relatively quick and hassle-free process – especially when compared to an extension or a move.

Last, but most certainly not least – a loft conversion can add 20% to the value of your home. This will be beneficial to you in the long run when you are ready to move on and can offer a more appealing property with extra space.

So, in short, yes, a loft conversion is a good idea. It is a quick, relatively easy way to get the space you need and it adds value to your home, for when you are ready to sell. The only downside is the loss of storage space – which is quickly and easily rectified with a storage unit.