Is a loft conversion impossible?

Doozergirl

southoftheriver wrote: »

Really good point, we spoke to the surveyor we used who suggested it is possible. We've asked for a structural engineer contact to have a look for us as we thought the same.

Google for the 45 degree angle rule. The ability to extend has a lot to do with proximity of neighbours and the potential blocking of light.

The local authority will also have a Supplementary Planning Guidance document that details what is required from an extension.

zoothornrollo_2

curiosity101 wrote: »

Extending a house is hugely expensive and so much hassle. Unless it's literally the 'perfect' house in every other respect I just wouldn't bother. Also living in it while the work is being done is really not fun.

Unless you live in London when it is often the only practical way of affording an extra room and will often add more to the value of the home than it costs = an attractive option.

The 'hassle' can also be weighed against the excitement and interest most people have in designing and creating new spaces?

Southoftheriver: getting good tradesman at a decent price aside, I think these sorts of projects can be exciting and financially sensible.

We spent £50,000 turning our 1 bed, 1 bath flat into a 2-bed, 2-bath and added £85,000 to the value in the process. We didn't do it for that reason, but it's good to know the project is going to pay for itself or more, which loft conversions typically do.

And if it isn't then are you going to live there long enough / get enough benefit from it to justify the cost? Just be very realistic about how much it will cost.

PS. Amusingly I think I know this property, having looked at it ourselves! And if it where I think it is, other properties have extended upwards and backwards.

southoftheriver

Doozergirl wrote: »

Google for the 45 degree angle rule. The ability to extend has a lot to do with proximity of neighbours and the potential blocking of light.

The local authority will also have a Supplementary Planning Guidance document that details what is required from an extension.

Thank you very much, I had no idea about that. Hopefully the fact that the house down the street had the same thing will help but you never know.

zoothornrollo wrote: »

Unless you live in London when it is often the only practical way of affording an extra room and will often add more to the value of the home than it costs = an attractive option.

The 'hassle' can also be weighed against the excitement and interest most people have in designing and creating new spaces?

Southoftheriver: getting good tradesman at a decent price aside, I think these sorts of projects can be exciting and financially sensible.

We spent £50,000 turning our 1 bed, 1 bath flat into a 2-bed, 2-bath and added £85,000 to the value in the process. We didn't do it for that reason, but it's good to know the project is going to pay for itself or more, which loft conversions typically do.

And if it isn't then are you going to live there long enough / get enough benefit from it to justify the cost? Just be very realistic about how much it will cost.

PS. Amusingly I think I know this property, having looked at it ourselves! And if it where I think it is, other properties have extended upwards and backwards.

Haha small world! I've around a lot and if we can make this house work for us we don't plan to move anytime soon. We've just had a child and the schools in catchment are great, and we have friends and work nearby so lot so reasons to stay. We probably wouldn't do the loft conversion for a few years, but would like to consider doing the rest sooner. We are able to stay where we are now for a while if it looks like something we could start fairly soonish.

Obviously we don't want to lose money, but we're not doing it with the sole intention of making money, we're not interested in property development.

Finding decent tradespeople feels me with dread but I'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I've popped a polite note through the house with the floorplan above to ask whether they would mind answering a few questions for us.

zoothornrollo_2

southoftheriver wrote: »

Thank you very much, I had no idea about that. Hopefully the fact that the house down the street had the same thing will help but you never know.




Haha small world! I've around a lot and if we can make this house work for us we don't plan to move anytime soon. We've just had a child and the schools in catchment are great, and we have friends and work nearby so lot so reasons to stay. We probably wouldn't do the loft conversion for a few years, but would like to consider doing the rest sooner. We are able to stay where we are now for a while if it looks like something we could start fairly soonish.

Obviously we don't want to lose money, but we're not doing it with the sole intention of making money, we're not interested in property development.

Finding decent tradespeople feels me with dread but I'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I've popped a polite note through the house with the floorplan above to ask whether they would mind answering a few questions for us.

OK good luck - turns out it's not the one near us at all!!