Experts offer many loft conversion planning and design tips for first-timers, but you need to pick those that suit your needs. This article has important insights to help you make the right decisions even without the help of a professional consultant. However, you will need an architect to help you plan and design your loft conversion no matter how small it is.
That said, let’s dive into the crucial points.
Understand What Loft Conversion Is
Before anything else, it is paramount to understand what loft conversion is. First, the loft is the space just below the roof and above the ceiling of the uppermost room of the house. It is also called the article. Loft conversion involves converting this space into a living area. Some are simple conversions while others are complicated.
To do this successfully, loft conversion planning and design are necessary. They not only help the owner to seek permission for the conversion but guide the constructor on the design to achieve and standards to maintain. If you understand what loft conversion is, moving to the next step is vital.
Think of the Design You Want
Before you engage a professional architect to do loft conversion planning and design, you should have an idea in mind. The work of the professional is to guide and help finetune your idea before embarking on the planning and design process. More often, loft conversion ideas are shared to help people make the right decisions. Here are some popular ideas you should consider:
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Roof light conversion – If you are looking for an affordable conversion where you don’t have to change the roof, all you need is to think of adding a window on the roof and utilizing the entire loft for a bedroom, workspace, or gym area.
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Dormer – If you want to change your roof a bit with a protrusion, a dormer is an option. An expert will do perfect loft conversion planning and design for you to incorporate the protrusion on your sloping roof.
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Hip to gable – Again, this is a detailed loft conversion that requires planning before attempting. It involves raising the hip on one side of the house to create a vertical gable, hence more room on the inside.
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Mansard – This is the most complicated loft conversion but creates a lot of room for any space you want. Hence, you need detailed loft conversion planning and design from a professional architect.
Choosing the Loft Conversion Planning and Design Architect
No one can do loft conversion planning and design better than a professional architect. Before applying for permission and approval in case they are needed, the authorities will need detailed plans and designs. As mentioned, they are also useful blueprints throughout the project.
So, how do you choose a qualified architect to help you? The first consideration is experience and expertise. A qualified company should have worked on such projects for a number of years, and it will be better if they have worked on a project similar to yours before.
Another consideration to make is the license to practice as an architect. The main reason they should be licensed is to guarantee professional and qualified services and have an easy time making permission and approval applications. As such, make sure they show proof of license before doing your loft conversion planning and design.
You should check their customer service relationship with previous clients. Were the clients happy with the services provided? Are there many complaints linked to the architecture company? Answering these questions will help you understand the professional you are dealing with.
Lastly, check their charges as they say a lot about the company. Professional companies provide value for money with competitive charges. If they charge very low prices for loft conversion planning and design, then you should be worried about low-quality services. However, this process should not consume a lot of money to save for the actual construction.
Plan and Design the Loft Conversion Together
Although professional architects will do the actual loft conversion planning and design, the client should be involved from the onset. After all, it is your idea they will be actualizing. The ideal process is to have several meetings and review the progress until they come up with what you want.
Nonetheless, there could be several changes to meet the construction standards in your area before permission and approval application. The good thing is that a professional architect will guide you.
Make sure that none of your ideas have been missed or dropped unless there is a good reason that you consent and agree on.
Making Loft Conversion Permission Application
As soon as the architect advise that you should make permission and approval application for your loft conversion project. The sooner the application is done, the better to avoid delays in the project.
On top of filling out online or physical forms, copies of relevant documents will be needed. These include the drawings and plans you have just prepared with the architect, the copy of the title deed, and others. All you need to qualify is to comply and provide the needed supportive documents.
The good thing is that architects know what is needed since they do this every other day and will ensure that it is a success. Once the authorities have received your application, they will give you the answer within the stipulated time.
Summing It Up
If you have not done loft conversion planning and design and permission application processes before, this could sound like a long process. But it is easy when you have insightful tips like these. It is even simpler when you work with professional architects who come in handy in many ways as mentioned. You should also be ready and understand the building regulations in your country to make the right decisions.
