subject: How You Should Tackle a Loft renovation NYC Project [print this page] Loft renovation NYC can be both rewarding and profitable. On average loft conversions in South Manchester and Cheshire costs around 23,000 yet according to Alliance and Leicester it could add up to 100,000 to the value of your house.
A loft conversion can add more livable space to your home and can also make your property more attractive to perspective buyers when you come to sell it. Converting your loft is all about the planning, here's a quick guide to some of the things you should consider before throwing yourself in to the deep end.
Measure your loft
Before you decide on anything, the sensible thing is to see if your loft is even suitable for conversion into living space. A loft with at least 2.3 metres head room is required to make the project worth it. You wouldn't want a room where you had to constantly crouch down all the time.
Financing the project
Although it's exciting to hear that a Loft renovation NYC can add to the value of your house, one of the first major hurdles is to find the financing to fund the conversion in the first place. If you are fortunate enough to fund it from savings then good for you but for most people funding the project might take a little more shopping around.
Most homeowners should be able to find a loan whether it be a secured or unsecured loan. Although it doesn't seem sensible to borrow money to build, in the long run it can be a profitable investment since in theory the value of your property should increase with the extra room.
Planning permission
For most, planning permission for a loft conversion isn't needed but it's best to check as everyone's situation will be different. If you do not apply for it and you find out after the loft has been converted that planning permission is required then you may need to undo all the work and put back to its original state.
Requirements for you property type
Certain property types require a little extra paperwork, this is mostly the case when any changes to you property has the potential to affect your neighbour's property.
For detached houses it is most likely that you will not need any kind of extra paper work since you are not likely to affect any surrounding neighbours.
For terraced or semi-detached houses you may need to write to your adjoining neighbours with the plans of your conversion and usually a surveyor can take care of this for you.
Heating and plumbing
Adding an extra room to your house means extra heating, you should get a professional to check whether your current plumbing and heating system will be able to heat the extra room as this could put more strain on your current system.
Draw up a plan
An architect is probably useful for any kind of loft renovation NYC as they will be experienced enough to get the most out of your loft and foresee any potential problems beforehand. They can advise and draw up plans to take into account doors, windows, lighting and electrics etc.
Shop around for quotes
Once you have your plans from your architect you can then take these and go shopping with them. Get recommendations from friends and family, look in your local paper or search on local review sites to get a list of builders and specialists that can give you a quote based on your plans.
Insurance
It's best to advise your current insurance company of the new development within your house but in any case they probably won't cover the actual build while it's in progress so it's best to take out some additional cover either with your current insurance provider or get a quote from another.
How You Should Tackle a Loft renovation NYC Project