Pros and cons of a loft conversion

Deciding whether to convert the loft is harder than it looks. "Will it add value?" and "Will I actually gain enough space?" are the two questions we hear most. Here are the positives and negatives as we see them.

Positives

1. More living space. An extra bedroom, office or playroom without moving house and without losing any garden.
2. Value. A well-built loft bedroom, especially with an en-suite, is one of the better-returning projects on a family house.
3. Light. Rooflights and dormer windows make a loft room one of the brightest in the house.
4. Privacy. A room on its own floor is useful for teenagers, guests or anyone working from home.

Negatives

1. Cost. A dormer with a bathroom is a serious spend. Budget carefully and get a fixed written price.
2. Planning. Rear dormers and rooflights are usually permitted development, but front dormers, conservation areas and flats need an application, and approval is not guaranteed.
3. Disruption. There is noise and dust for six to twelve weeks, and a new staircase takes space from the floor below.
4. Head height. You need around 2.2m from joists to ridge. Below that the usable floor area shrinks quickly, and lowering ceilings below is expensive.

We measure the roof at the first visit and tell you which type of conversion, if any, suits the house. That visit is free.