Loft conversions are a popular choice for London’s homes. In a city which is space-poor, extending upwards rather than outwards into any outdoor space you may have is a preferable option. But many people are worried that loft conversions are an expensive choice. So what exactly is the average price of a loft conversion? As experts in loft conversions London wide, we answer the question, how much is a loft conversion?
How much is a typical loft conversion?
The first thing to bear in mind is that every quote will be different. There are many things that influence the cost of an attic conversion. It’s therefore difficult to give the average price of a loft conversion, because no two lofts will be the same, and this is the case from the design through to the structural work required, the number of windows included through to the finishing fixtures and fittings.
When it comes to loft conversions, London homeowners should be aware that the cost will depend on the nature of the design, the type of loft the property currently has and the sort of conversion they are looking to achieve, as well as the level of project management required.
Dormer conversions, including L-shaped builds, mansard lofts and hip to gable extensions will all vary in price. Regular dormers are generally at the lower end of the scale, mansards and L-shaped dormers further up and hip to gable usually coming in highest due to the greater amount of work involved. This is why it’s so important to gather more than one quote and compare them thoroughly so that you know exactly what you’re getting.
Why do I need more than one quote to determine the average price of a loft conversion?
Because no two loft conversions are the same, we would always advise getting two or three quotes to compare them. And it is important to compare them, as some will include everything – from the actual building work through to the plastering, tiling and fixtures and fittings – whilst others will be for the shell and nothing further. You need to ensure you’re getting what you think you’re getting, so be sure to check all the finer detail.
It’s also important to talk to the various loft conversion companies you are receiving quotes from to ask them about any issues or problems they foresee with converting the loft.
If there are any problems that they foresee, how do they propose to overcome them and what materials they will use? You will want to know whether they are using the best materials for your type of property, for example, or are they simply going with the cheapest on the market? Once you know these aspects, you can start to compare the different quotes you’ve gathered more easily.
How much is a dormer loft conversion?
Most homeowners opt for a dormer loft conversion when undertaking a loft build. The reason for this is that it gives a large amount of usable space with more head height than a simple skylight conversion. A skylight conversion is normally the cheaper option, but it won’t give you as much space or head height.
The cost of a dormer loft conversion will once again very much depend on the type of work required and the design of the room. For example, a straightforward dormer conversion is one of the most popular types of conversion, but perhaps you want something like an L-shaped dormer, extending over the double-storey extension below? If so, this will cost more to complete, perhaps because of the addition of aspects such as French or bi-fold doors to access a roof terrace, as an example.
Similarly, any aspects, such as additional structural work to create the additional head height under the dormer window, or if planning permission is required, will increase the cost of the dormer loft conversion. However, it’s important to think carefully about your requirements for your new attic room and we wouldn’t advise scrimping if a dormer is what’s really required of your new room; it may be worth spending a little more to achieve precisely what you want.
How much is a loft conversion in a bungalow?
As you’ve probably already realised, the cost of a bungalow conversion will really depend on what’s required from your build. As a general rule, bungalow loft conversions tend to cost a little more than standard loft conversions, simply because it’s a bigger space that needs converting (it’s the whole footprint of the ground floor of your home, after all).
You will need to consider aspects such as where you’ll site your stairs and the additional structural work required in order to support your new floor, as bungalow lofts were not originally designed to support additional rooms.
But don’t let this put you off; a loft built on a bungalow can give a large amount of habitable space for you to play with. Many bungalow owners are keen to convert their lofts in order to completely change the way their home works for them.
How much is a loft conversion? Request your Personalised Quote from Bespoke Lofts Today.
Ready to find out how much it will cost to convert the loft of your London property? Get in touch with Bespoke Lofts for a free, no-obligation quote to give you a good idea of how much it will cost to convert your loft, and how we can change the look and feel of your home.