When you think about your loft, words such as dark, damp and cluttered will probably spring to mind.
You’re not alone because there are millions of lofts up and down the country which aren’t lighted and only used for storing junk and Christmas decorations.
So what can you do about this? The answer is simple – consider a loft conversion. With a loft conversion you can provide your home with much needed extra space for whatever your needs. You’ll also be able to add thousands of pounds to the value.
But converting the loft is quite a big job. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you remember everything:
Decide on a plan
Ok, so you want to convert your loft? Great news. What are you going to use this wonderful extra space for? That’s exactly what you need to be thinking about. There are plenty of options too, so really give it a think and decide what your home actually needs. Popular options include a bedroom ensuite, extra bathroom and even a playroom for the kids.
Get rid of the junk
Before you get up into the loft and start surveying the scene you’ll need to clear out the mess. This means all the old junk that has been stacked up over the years needs to be thrown away so you can get into the loft easily. Give the floor a good sweep and you may even need to deal with pests. Try and get some lighting in there too if you don’t have currently. Just make sure not to put your foot through the ceiling – keep to the beams!
Secure the area
For most homeowners it’s now that a professional loft conversion company will step in. It’s some job converting the loft and you should only take it on if you really know what you’re doing. Health and safety is a priority and common problems that need to be tackled include woodworm, damp and unsecure beams.
Choose your utilities
This will all be dictated by what you plan to use the room for and should be discussed with the company prior to work commencing. For instance, you could require electricity, gas, water or even all three. As always, with things like gas and electricity it’s important only qualified experts handle it.
Kit out the conversion
Once the loft conversion company have done their job and you have a fully functional area, it’s time to kit it out. Make sure to give this room its own identity so it really becomes a part of the house and not just the loft. This includes colourful paints and fully furnishing the area ready for use.