With a loft conversion you’ll be creating extra space for your home and adding a wealth of value to your property. But you don’t want to be waiting endless months for the job to be completed.
Of course there are a number of factors that will play an important role in how quickly your loft will be converted and ready for daily use. Don’t forget though, this is a big job. Beforehand it’s likely the loft is completely uninhabitable with no electricity, water or lighting.
Large parts will need to be stripped out and fully replaced. No matter if you’re doing a loft conversion DIY or bringing in a reputable company, give plenty of time to the project. A rushed job is a bad job.
Any delays could be beyond either yours or the builder’s control, with factors such as materials and even the weather being issues. Many homeowners make the mistake of expecting the conversion to be quicker than it is in reality.
As with anything, planning is essential. By fully planning and understanding the whole project before you start, you’ll be better positioned to tackle unforeseen problems. Always have a little contingency money to hand just in case of extra expenses too.
A lot of people feel they can take on the monumental job themselves. If you’re thinking this, you need to be completely sure you’re up to the task. It’s a long, hard project and your skills will be pushed to the limit. Make any mistakes and you’ll end up paying for them. That’s why we always recommend homeowners bring in a professional to take care of the conversion.
How long will the loft conversion take?
OK, so now let’s have a look at the duration of your loft conversion project. On average, a loft conversion can take anywhere between five and eight weeks. This would be from the very beginning to the very end.
As you would expect, the time differs from property to property on a number of factors such as structure, layout and plumbing. If for instance, you have a huge water tank in the loft, there will be more complications than if it’s completely empty.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to get natural light into your loft. If you choose standard Velux windows then this won’t have much effect on the duration, but with something like a dormer window you can expect a little more time to be needed.
Fortunately, most loft conversions won’t need planning permission which certainly quickens the process up. This is largely down to the roof’s structure not being altered. If you’re ever unsure though it’s always best to speak with a local planning officer to ensure you’re in the right.