Here is a list of the questions which are answered below:

• • • Is my loft space suitable for conversion?
    • Headroom in the loft
    • Where will the stairs go?
    • How much will it cost?
    • How long will it take for the works to be done?
    • How long is it before the works can start?
    • Do I need Planning Permission?
    • I won’t need Planning Permission but can the Council confirm this?
    • What are the Building Regulations?
    • I’ve heard about the Party Wall Act but don’t know if it applies?
    • What about rooflights – can I have these on the front elevation?
    • Do I need Planning Permission to change my hipped roof to a gable roof?
    • What can Ely Design Group do for me?

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    Is my loft space suitable for conversion?
    Is my loft space suitable for conversion?

    There are a number of parts to the answer to this question and some will be covered in subsequent questions/answers. The things to be considered, and I will elaborate on each of them below, are:-

    • Headroom in the loft – is there already sufficient headroom or will the ridge need to be raised (subject to Planning) or can the ceiling below be lowered?
    • Where will the stairs go – is there space above the existing stairs or will space need to be taken from one of the existing rooms.
    • Headroom above the stairs – can the requirements of the Building Regulations for headroom above the stairs be met within the shape of the roof or will a dormer window be required?
    • Is a dormer necessary to create the required amount of floor space up in the new loft?
    • A friend has told me that you can’t convert a loft where there are modern trusses.

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    Headroom in the loft

    Ideally the more headroom (the vertical distance between the top of the ceiling joists to the room below and the top of the ridge board / trusses) that is already available the easier the solution for the conversion. In terms of a guide we would suggest that the distance needs to be at least 2.4m. Once the new structure is in place then the available finished height internally will be in the order of 2.1m. Clearly if the starting height is more than 2.4m then the finished available height will exceed 2.1m.

    If the available height is less than 2.4m then it will probably be necessary to either raise the ridge level or lower the ceiling level in the rooms beneath. Raising the ridge will require Planning Permission and the chances of obtaining Permission will depend on the Planning Policies and whether nearby properties have had the ridge level raised. This is particularly important in terraced properties in Conservation Areas – if a row of say 10 properties in a Conservation Area all have the same ridge height then this will be far more difficult to justify (and therefore obtain Permission) than where say four of the ten properties have raised the ridge level and each are of a slightly different height. The other consideration with Planning permission is the three month delay to a project and the associated uncertainty of whether Permission will be granted.

    The alternative is to lower the ceilings to the rooms beneath. Clearly this will cause far more disruption to your home and may not be acceptable if you have already decorated/finished these rooms. If the loft is part of a refurbishment project that involves new ceilings, plastering walls etc. then this solution may be the best way forward. Providing there would still be about 150mm above the windows for curtain rails, architraves etc. then lowering the ceiling is a good option.Ideally we would always try to position the new stairs above the existing stairs. This is not always possible due to the configuration of the first floor landing and doors into the various first floor rooms. Sometimes it will be necessary to move walls and doors slightly so that the stairs can be accommodated above the existing stairs.

    Where stairs need to be put into one of the first floor rooms it is key to consider whether or not the benefit of gaining the loft space is outweighed by losing an existing room together with the cost and disruption associated with the building works.

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    Where will the stairs go?

    Ideally we would always try to position the new stairs above the existing stairs. This is not always possible due to the configuration of the first floor landing and doors into the various first floor rooms. Sometimes it will be necessary to move walls and doors slightly so that the stairs can be accommodated above the existing stairs.

    Where stairs need to be put into one of the first floor rooms it is key to consider whether or not the benefit of gaining the loft space is outweighed by losing an existing room together with the cost and disruption associated with the building works.

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    Here is a list of the questions which are answered below:

    • Is my loft space suitable for conversion?
    • Where will the stairs go?
    • How much will it cost?
    • How long will it take for the works to be done?
    • How long is it before the works can start?
    • Do I need Planning Permission?
    • I won’t need Planning Permission but can the Council confirm this?
    • What are the Building Regulations?
    • I’ve heard about the Party Wall Act but don’t know if it applies?
    • What about rooflights – can I have these on the front elevation?
    • Do I need Planning Permission to change my hipped roof to a gable roof?
    • What can Ely Design Group do for me?
    Is my loft space suitable for conversion?

    There are several factors to consider…

    • Headroom in the loft
    • Where will the stairs go?
    • Headroom above the stairs
    • Is a dormer necessary?
    • Are modern trusses a problem?

    Email: mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk

    Where will the stairs go?

    Ideally, we try to position new stairs above existing stairs. However…

    Email: mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk

    How much will it cost?

    Loft conversions can range from £40,000 to £130,000+. Cost varies based on complexity…

    How long will it take for the works to be done?

    Most loft conversions take around 3-4 months…

    How long is it before the works can start?

    The timeline depends on factors such as planning permission, design approvals, and builder availability…

    Do I need Planning Permission?

    It depends. Some loft conversions fall under permitted development…

    Can the Council confirm I don’t need Planning Permission?

    You can apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development…

    What are the Building Regulations?

    Building Regulations ensure safety and compliance with the law…

    Does the Party Wall Act apply?

    The Party Wall Act may apply if you share a wall with a neighbor…

    Can I have rooflights on the front elevation?

    Rooflights are often permitted but must comply with regulations…

    Do I need Planning Permission for a hipped-to-gable roof conversion?

    Hipped-to-gable conversions are often permitted under certain conditions…

    What can Ely Design Group do for me?

    We provide design, planning, and project management services…

    For more information, please email mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk or call 01353 649 649.

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