Cash in the Attic - Confused.com’s Guide to Loft Conversions

A guide to loft conversions. Here are some tips of what to do if thinking about converting your loft.


Add space and value to your property with a loft conversion

It might be an understatement to proclaim the property market’s in a bit of a pickle at the moment, but there is a positive behind the doom and gloom – it has never been easier, or cheaper, to renovate your home.

Now might well be the time to convert that forgotten space, which is currently being held hostage by bags and boxes of family keepsakes - the loft....you’ll add space and value to your property in no time.

Why you should improve - not move

With the current economic climate as tumultuous as it is, a loft conversion makes sense. If you’re going to have to stay put, you might as well look for ways to improve your property and create more space for you and the family.

It’s relatively cost-effective too. The VAT rate is down, there are builders desperate for work and new planning laws introduced in 2008 mean that certain loft conversions no longer need to be approved by the council, which saves you further red tape, time and expense.

So what are the new rules?

When it comes to the new planning laws, there are still some complex rules. But in general, as far as loft conversions go, there’s no need to apply for planning permission if alterations don’t affect the appearance of a house from the street.

3 key points to consider are:

1. Loft conversions don’t need planning permission as long as the volume added to the house is less than 50 cubic metres for a detached house, or 40 cubic metres for a terrace house.
   
   
2. On the side of the house facing the street, only skylights lying flat on the roof are allowed.
   
   
3. At the back, a dormer (an extension with a window at the front) will be allowed, as long as it’s no higher than the existing roof and is set back at least 20cm from the eaves.

Any works beyond these three points will probably need planning permission, so play it safe and make sure you’re not infringing any laws before you book the builders.

More information on loft conversions can be found at www.planningportal.gov.uk. And again, before booking the builders, make sure you read Got the Builders In? Make Sure you Don’t Invalidate your Home Insurance.

Be practical

Unlike the heady days before the property slump, when gold-plated finishes and designer-laden rooms were the name of the game, these penny-pinching times mean you’ve got to think practically.

An extra bedroom or office space are popular options. Get it right and you’ll add a lot of value to your home at the same time. Furnishing the new room-cum-loft shouldn’t take too much out of your savings either.

Ask lots of questions

Before you do anything, arm yourself with a torch and tape measure and get up into the loft to see what kind of space you’re dealing with.

Ask yourself lots of questions such as how sound-proof is the room, is there enough light, how do the proportions of the loft work, where will electrical points go, do you have a party wall agreement with your neighbours? This will save time and money in the long run.

Cover yourself

Even in its simplest form, a loft conversion can prove an immense under-taking, so check first to see if your home insurance will cover all eventualities.

And although it works out cheaper to carry out conversions these days, don’t get carried away. It’s possible to have too much space and the end result could mean a house that’s top heavy with too many bedrooms for the amount of living rooms beneath.

Finally, it’s important to know that once you’ve added size and value to the property, you’ll probably need to upgrade your home insurance to cover the new rebuild cost and any contents contained within the extension. For an idea of what this figure is for the newly extended property, read How to Find the Rebuild Cost of your home.

Original Source [Confused.com Guide to Loft Conversions]

Upgrade Your Home - Grants Available

With the housing market slowing and remortgages becoming more difficult to arrange, a lot of homeowners are rethinking their plans to move. So for those people who won’t be upgrading to a new home, here’s some info on obtaining grants to upgrade the home you’re already in.

Council funding for home repairs

Grant amounts and eligibility criteria vary according to the area that you live in, but in general up to £5,000 is available for improvements such as:

• Replacing kitchens or bathrooms
• Providing new windows, or repairing existing glass or frames
• Solving damp problems
• Fixing roofs

Lending criteria can be tough, and homeowners will usually have to be receiving certain benefits to qualify, but it’s worth chasing up your local council for further details just to be sure.

Here’s a tip: it’s best to apply for council grants as near as possible to the beginning of the financial year as that’s when their pot of money is fullest. Apply towards the end of the fiscal year and the pot may already be empty.

The home improvement agency for your area can also offer advice on help available and assistance with grant applications.

Disabled facilities grant

All local councils are required to provide assistance for disabled people to live independently in their own home. Grants of up to £30,000 (subject to means testing) cover areas such as:

• Allowing access to the bathroom or kitchen
• Ensuring that cooking facilities are at the right height
• Moving light-switches or thermostats to the appropriate level

If you do not qualify for a grant, bear in mind that some adaption work, such as widening doorways or creating ramps, is VAT-free.

Energy efficiency assistance

Some councils will provide money to insulate lofts or cavity walls, and all utilities companies offer similar assistance to help make your home more energy efficient.

The Home Heat Helpline can offer advice for those struggling to pay utility bills. If you don’t qualify for help with your gas and electricity bills but are still keen to save money on utilities, try switching gas and electricity provider to see if you can make savings.

There are also several government bodies set up to offer assistance with installing a new heating system, or improving your existing system, for people who are on certain benefits. Up to £2,700 (or £5,000 for oil-fired central heating) is available from the following bodies:

• Warmfront (England)
• Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Wales)
• Warm Deal (Scotland)
• Warm Homes Scheme (Northern Ireland)

Other home improvement tips

• Live in a listed building? Funds for Historic Buildings can help you find money for improvements to your home. Don’t forget that many approved alterations will be exempt from VAT.
  
  
• Don’t start work until you’ve investigated the grants available: money is rarely available retrospectively.
  
  
• Saving money on your home insurance will also free up money that could be used to improve your home.
  
  
• Don’t forget to inform your home insurance provider when you’ve got the builders in to ensure you have adequate buildings and contents insurance whilst onsite work is being carried out.
  
  

Original Source - Confused.com - Upgrade your home - Grants Available

Kitchen Improvements With New Worktops

If your kitchen is looking tired and dated, you do not necessarily need to rip it all out and start again. Replacing the kitchen worktops will instantly give your kitchen a major face lift whilst saving you lots of money and hassle.

There are many different types of worktop to choose from including granite, Corian (a composite of minerals and acrylic polymer, from about £400 a square metre), Raustone (similar to Corian, but less pricey), rubberwood (cubes of wood bonded together), stainless steel, Formica, real wood such as oak, beech, walnut, cheery, iroko and basic laminate. Granite, Corian, Raustone and stainless steel should be fitted by professionals.

Wooden kitchen worktops including oak, beech and walnut are the simplest option for those looking for the 'do-it-yourself' option because they are easy to cut compared to laminate, granite and stainless steel.

Oak worktops are the first choice for those looking for strength, durability and classic traditional elegance. Oak's rich colour and fine markings lend grace to any kitchen, maturing over the years to add character and warmth.

Walnut is a dark wood of immense warmth, with a rich grain and strong character. Walnut wood contains natural exotic patterns that set it apart from its contemporaries.

Cherry is an elegant and colourful wood, fast becoming one of the most popular choices for kitchens. Cherry worktops have a subtle autumnal red appearance that darkens gracefully over time to a rich maturity.

Beech is the most popular and versatile of all the hardwoods. The light tone and soft grain produce a bright feel that complements any style of kitchen.

Iroko - The dark hues of this rich African hardwood produce a stunning effect when used in the right kitchen environment. Often called 'African Teak', it is a most durable worktop due to its high resistance to staining.

Plan Ahead

Before you begin on your kitchen worktop project you will need to work out exactly how much new worktop you require to get the job done. If the existing worktop is a good fit then this job is done for you as you can simply use this as the template. If the worktop not to replace an exiting worktop or you require extra then you will need a measuring tape and cardboard to create the template. Even in new build houses, unfortunately corners are rarely at right angles so you will need to check carefully. Remember to order all trims, brackets and fittings when you order your worktop.

Kitchen Worktop Saw Points

If you are cutting laminate, kitchen fitters recommend using a circular saw with the laminate facing down. A jigsaw is fine for cutting out big holes for example, the sink but be aware of it fraying. Many people choose to hire a circular saw from a local hire shop. However, you will require very steady hands to do a professional job. The other crucial thing with laminate worktops is getting the mitered joins just right. These can be cut by a joiner with precision equipment, for a small fee.

Kitchen Worktop Fitting

A spirit level is essential when fixing the worktops with their supporting brackets, timber battens, or KD blocks, used especially in kitchen fitting. Leave a fall of about 2 degrees away from the wall at the back to prevent spills and dirt accumulating. Do any wall tiling work after fitting the worktops, so there is a permanent level edge to work upwards from. Seal any cut laminate surface to stop damp and between joints with a compound. Use silicone sealant between tiles and worktop and put reflective aluminium tape around cooker/hob to protect from radiant heat; use waterproof seal - unless a rubber gasket is supplied - around the sink.

If all this seems a little labour intensive, you might consider getting a professional company to provide the kitchen worktop, cutting and fitting as a package. You can then take advantage of their experience and workmanship to make sure the job in done to the highest standard. The worktop will be cut and finished to your own personal needs which will save you time and inconvenience.