To get a sense of whether your loft can be converted, see whether any similar properties on your street have had loft conversions. If you do spot examples, it’s more likely to be a possibility. If you can, it’s also worth going one step further and asking to take a look at the loft of anyone in your street that has had it done.

That way, you can get a sense of the size of the space and start to think about how you’ll fill it up. Measure the head height The minimum height you need for a loft conversion is 2.2 metres and you can easily measure this yourself. Run a tape measure from the floor to the ceiling at the tallest part of the room. If it’s 2.2 metres or more, your loft should be tall enough to convert.

Victorian houses tend to be lower than those built from 1930 onwards, so may not have sufficient head height. On the subject of older houses, consider other obstacles, such as water tanks and chimney stacks, when planning your conversion. Check what type of roof you have Depending on when it was built, your home will either have roof trusses or rafters. By looking through your loft hatch, you should be able to tell straight away what type of roof you have.

Rafters run along the edge of the roof and will leave most of the triangular space below hollow. Trusses are supports that run through the cross-section of the loft.

Converting a loft with trusses is possible, but extra structural support is needed to replace the trusses and it’s likely to be more costly. Consider the floor below Many people neglect to factor in changes to the floor below the loft when planning a conversion.

It’s worth having a think about where the staircase is likely to go and how much room it might take up. Even a well-designed, space-saving staircase could take up a sizeable chunk of a room, so make sure you have space you’re happy to lose.

Once you’ve assessed whether you’re able to have a loft conversion, check our page on loft conversion costs, which includes average prices, plus tips from experts and people who have had a loft conversion. How long does a loft conversion take? Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on the trader you’re using and the type of loft conversion they’re dealing with.

Roof light conversions are usually the quickest, taking around four weeks to complete. A dormer conversion can take closer to five weeks, while a hip-to-gable conversion can take around seven weeks. You can expect a mansard conversion to take closer to eight weeks to complete. The first week or two will be spent preparing your home and gathering the materials and tools required.

Work usually starts on the outside of your property. After that, the focus turns to the inside of your house and the flooring, insulation and stud walls. The final stage will deal with plastering, electrics and plumbing.

Dormer conversion Pros An option for most houses with a sloping roof. Cons More structural changes needed compared with a standard conversion, so can take a while to build. A dormer loft conversion is an extension that protrudes from the slope of the roof. Dormers, in particular flat-roof dormers, are the most popular type of conversion. They’re suitable for pretty much any home with a sloping roof. Dormer conversions are less expensive than mansard or hip-to-gable conversions, but will still add a good deal of extra headroom and floor space.

Yes, you should tell your insurer about any changes that will alter your home’s structure, habitability, security or value. For example, a loft conversion may increase its value and this will likely affect your buildings and contents insurance premiums. When staying elsewhere while your loft conversion is completed, then you should tell your insurer about this as well, and try to give several weeks’ notice. If you’re having serious building work done, consider specialist renovations insurance. This covers against things going wrong with the building work, materials and property owners’ liability.

In terms of ROI, return on investment, it’s hard to outdo a loft conversion. Because you’re working in an existing area, costs are brought down, yet you’re also generating a whole new storey of new functional space. This is the main difference between a loft conversion and a rear extension.

Rear extensions are often expanding existing rooms – kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas. Whereas with a loft conversion, you’re adding a brand new area and a valuable one at that. Many homeowners choose to use loft conversions to add in a new bedroom and in doing so can add anywhere between 5-7% extra value to their home.

And unlike their basement counterparts, loft conversions can be kept budget-friendly, so you needn’t break the bank to reap the rewards.

If you’re ready to get creative, you’ve got no better canvas. Loft conversions are incredibly versatile. With a good architect by your side, there’s no telling what you might create with your project. A bedroom? A playroom? A study? Perhaps even a new bathroom? Providing your roof allows it, you can let your imagination run wild.

It’s no secret that UK homes are facing a space shortage, especially in the high-demand city areas. But with not enough new homes being built, and the cost of stamp duty forcing many to stay put, finding room for a growing family can be challenging.

It’s no wonder then that loft conversions have seen a huge upswing in recent years. Improving not moving is now the name of the game, and transforming the dead space in your loft is the ideal solution for many homeowners.

If you are considering a loft conversion, you might have heard the phrase ‘dormer’ thrown about. But what is a dormer loft conversion? And, more importantly, is it right for your home?

One of the major benefits of adding a dormer is that they fall within your permitted development rights. These rights entitle you to extend your home without the need for planning permission, providing your perspective addition follows a strict set of guidelines.

For instance, you won’t qualify for permitted development if…

You live in a listed building or conservation area.

Your dormer exceeds 40 meters on a terrace house or 50 meters on a semi-detached/detached home.

The height of your dormer exceeds that of the original roof.

Your dormer features a balcony – though Juliet balconies are fine.

The materials used by your dormer are out of character with the rest of your home.

Your neighbours are affected by your dormer through overlooking or overshadowing.

Bats live inside your loft. As a protected species, you need a special license to disturb their home.

If your project does fall within permitted development, make sure you apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. This not only ensures you won’t face any legal issues in the future but also proves to future buyers that they’re purchasing the quality design.

Traditional frame type roof structures are often the most suitable type for loft conversions, allowing the space to be opened up relatively easily and inexpensively. Typically found in pre-1960s houses, rafters on traditional roofs run along its edges, leaving a good amount of free space. The rafters may need to be strengthened or additional supports added (your structural engineer will advise on what is required).

When you measure from the bottom of the ridge timber to the top of the ceiling joist, you need to have at least 2.2m of usable space for a conversion to be suitable.

If the initial roof space inspection reveals a head height of less than 2.2m, there are available – but costly – solutions that will require professional input.

a roof with a steep pitch provides ample room for a loft conversion

The higher the angle of the roof pitch, the higher the central head height is likely to be, and if dormers are used or the roof is redesigned, the floor area, and potential for comfortable headroom, can be increased.

If you’re browsing small loft conversion ideas – perhaps a small, child’s bedroom, a home office, maybe even a kids’ TV room, or teen crash pad, first work out whether your small loft is even big enough to convert. We love the simple design of this small loft room, and the light colour scheme brightens it up so that it feels roomier than it actually measures out to be!

This is more of a tip rather than an idea, however, it is an extremely valid point. If you’re designing a bathroom to suit a loft conversion and are looking to tackle an awkward space, consider building handy recesses into the eaves. They make the most of space that might otherwise have been wasted and make a sleek addition to a contemporary bathroom – especially when designed to complement the rest of a scheme. They’re also the best place for the toilet and bath to be sited.