If you’re looking to add space to your home, then you should definitely consider an attic conversion. It’s a straightforward way to get more space without making compromises to other areas of the house. All households could benefit with this home improvement project, but thorough planning is crucial. There are plenty of considerations that will affect the final output and the overall design of your home. This article contains useful information to help you determine whether an attic conversion is the right way to add space to your property.

The first important question to answer is whether your attic is suitable for conversion or not. The type of structure, head height and pitch angle will decide your attic space’s suitability for conversion. Keep in mind that this extension can add a significant amount of weight to your home. You need to make sure that the structure of your home can support this additional weight. A building control officer should be able to help you inspect the foundations and whether underpinning is necessary to carry the added weight.

Your designer or builder must also be able to illustrate exactly how much space you’re going to have in your attic. Simply looking at the floor plan wouldn’t give you a clear picture of the finished project. Also consider where the new staircase would rise. Ideally, it should extend from the old one as installing a staircase within an existing bedroom can eat up a lot of space.

Attic conversions require building regulations and in some cases, planning permissions. Before finding a builder, it’s advisable to submit a detailed scheme for approval. By having an approved design, the builder would be able to provide you a fixed quotation instead of just an estimate. Semi-detached or terraced households need to notify their neighbors prior to construction.