Choosing the Best London Loft Company for a Loft Conversion Project

At some point in their lives many families find themselves facing a dilemma. As their need for livable space increases should they sell up and move on or try to find a way to expand the home they are in? In an uncertain real estate market many people are opting for the latter, and making the most of the space they have both below their feet and above their heads.

For those looking to add more livable space to their home a loft conversion can be the perfect answer. The success of the project though depends upon the quality of the London loft company hired to complete the project. Here is some advice to help you find the right match for your remodeling job.

The Complications of London Loft Conversions

Loft conversions have been popular remodeling projects for homeowners for years, but nowadays people are becoming more creative than ever when it comes to choosing what to do with their underutilized real estate. Lofts are becoming home offices, fully equipped home gyms even family entertainment centers loaded with all kinds of high tech electronic gadgets. Loft conversions have also become a popular way to allow adult children who find themselves having to return home after an economic crisis to have their own space.

None of these ambitious projects are truly possible though without the help and guidance of a good London loft company. Lofts come with their own sets of problems to be overcome and building codes to be adhered to and trying to go it alone can be disastrous.

Finding the Right London Loft Company

Hiring the wrong London loft company for such a big remodeling project can be even worse. There are so many specifics that must be addressed perfectly for such a project to work. The contractor you choose for your project needs to be up to date in their knowledge of all the local building codes as they pertain to these projects and must be able to solve the inevitable problems that crop up along the way. Delays cost money, as do code violations that have to be fixed quickly before the homeowner is subject to heavy penalties.

Cost is of course a large factor to consider when choosing a London loft company for your project, and you should make sure that you understand upfront what those costs will be. But it is far from the only one. Loft conversions can take days, even weeks to complete so it is very important that you feel confident that you can get along with the strangers who will be in and out of your home for the duration of the remodel. Before you hire a loft conversion specialist set up a personal rather than a phone meeting and make sure you know exactly who will you will be working with.

Experience is important as well. Some general builders don’t really do loft conversions, they spend more time remodeling bathrooms or kitchens instead. Choosing a London loft company that focuses solely on the loft and how it is best converted usually means that you’ll be working with professionals who really know what they are doing from a technical point of view but can offer some of the best design ideas and inspirations as well.

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How To Create a Loft Home Office Space That Works as Hard As You Do

There are a steadily increasing number of people are finding that there are indeed more than a few a advantages to escaping the rat race and working out of their home instead. One of the biggest is away from a boring and stifling corporate office environment and being given the opportunity to create a home office that is all your own.

Making use of the unused space above your head by working with a company specialising in loft conversions London is an excellent way to create such a space. The loft is nicely separated from the rest of the home – and if you have ever tried working from the corner of your kitchen (as many do when they first make the transition from office to home) you’ll know how important that is! And there is usually a lot of room to work with, as most lofts run the length of the entire house.

The very best home offices are as functional as they are attractive though. Here are just a few tips for creating a great home office once the work of the company you chose for your loft conversion have completed their work.

You Need to Be Organized

Although you should have plenty of room once the work of the contractors specializing in loft conversions London is completed you still need to keep the clutter at bay. Even those who would say that they do most of their work on a computer would admit that they do tend to accumulate a lot of “stuff” in that space. Piles of papers, coffee mugs, plates, (most people who work at home eat at their desk) all of these serve to clutter the place up.

Invest in some good plastic storage shelves or boxes if you are running out of desk drawer space and make the effort to clean up your workstation before you call it a day. Replace those piles of paper with a nice vase of flowers or a great family photo and the space will feel more condescend to getting work done right away.

You Have to be Comfortable

There is just one thing you do need to replicate from your old corporate office into your new home office and that is a ergonomically designed, comfortable desk and chair.

The great majority of the people who work from home tend to work rather long hours (at least in the start) so the fact is that ensuring your comfort is a must for not only your overall but your sanity too. Even if you cut corners on some aspects of the décor and set up of your new home office you should invest in a good desk and chair. And buy it in person rather than online so that you can give it a good “test” before you buy.

You Need to Make Your Home Office Yours

No longer do you have a boss who tells you what you can and cannot have in your office and no longer are you limited to grey, boring décor that tends to sap your spirits a bit every time you see it. Paint your office a nice calming color (blue is great at imparting both a sense of calm and promoting concentration) and choose desk accessories that suit your personal style. Chances are that now you work from home you will be spending a lot of time in your new loft conversion and home office space so the nicer it looks the easier it will be for you to spend that time there without hating every minute.

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Great Ways to Make Use of Unused Loft Space

Converting your unused loft space into an area of your home that is both functional and attractive can be a great way to add to both its’ value and the enjoyment you and your family get from living in it. There are a number of ways to really make the most of an attic conversion project, and with the help of a trained local loft conversion specialist the results can be absolutely spectacular.

The Problem(s) With London Loft Conversions

One of the biggest problems that people contemplating an loft conversion encounter is what to do with the areas of the loft with lowered ceilings that seem at first look to offer little in the way of potential. But there are several ways you can make great use of these areas, all it takes is a little imagination and planning and the help of a local loft conversion specialist to help turn your project ideas into a finished reality.

For instance, low eaves offer the potential for great built in storage that is both functional and attractive. Shelving and cupboards can be fairly easily installed in these areas to make sure the open space remains clutter free, and it will also prevent any injuries suffered by people accidentally walking into a low ceilinged area.

Another option is to place the furniture you will use in your converted loft space to cover these areas altogether, taking them out of the picture altogether. For instance, a higher backed sofa can be placed in front of lower lying areas, as a physical barrier to prevent people from entering at all. You can make use of the space left showing behind by adding decorative touches such as a well placed wall light illuminating an attractive picture arrangement.

Let There Be Light …And Lots of It

Speaking of light, good lighting is essential to any loft remodeling project. This can be in the form of adding extra natural light, by way of adding dormer windows or skylights. Not only do such things improve the overall look of the space but they also provide wonderful views to be enjoyed by the new room’s occupants as well.

Electric lighting can also be used to add brightness and ambience to a loft, as can the clever use of paint. Something as simple as painting the ceilings a bright white in color and making best use of the angles in the space to bounce light all around can instantly transform a darker area into an inviting, warm retreat. A local loft conversion specialist will also have the expertise to help you discover the very best ways to add sufficient light into the space.

The Importance of Experience

Perhaps the most important thing to do when considering a loft conversion is to make sure that you enlist the advice, expertise and building skills of a highly experienced local loft conversion specialist. They can help you decide exactly what the true potential is for the space, and how best to go about achieving the spectacular results you want.

But there is a little more to it than that. Lofts conversions come along with their own set of building regulations that must be met and there are certain aspects of a loft conversion that are unique to that space alone, complications and considerations that would not apply to other rooms in the house. A local loft conversion specialist who had completed lots of other similar projects is going to be able to ensure that all of these challenges are met and that you get the great new living space you were hoping for.

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Average to Awesome – Amazing Basic Loft Conversion Ideas

Are you making the most of the loft space in your home? A basic loft conversion offers so many options and opportunities to add functional living space to your home that the whole family can enjoy. With the help of a loft conversion specialist your loft can be transformed from average to awesome in a matter of weeks.

The average loft is a repository for clutter and chances are you really do not even pay it a visit until it is time to get the holiday decorations down every winter. However, an loft can be so much more and with the guidance and assistance of a good loft conversion specialist the space above your head can provide a way to add extra living space to your home as well as perceived value should you ever decide to sell up and move on.

Loft conversion presents a unique set of challenges. Building codes specify that the roof should be a certain height and there may be insulation and flooring issues to be addressed before the real remodeling work can begin. A consultation with a company specializing in basic loft conversions will allow you to find out what realistically can or cannot be achieved with the loft space in your home.

The majority of lofts run the entire length of the home, meaning that there is an awful lot of square footage for you to work with. Here are some ideas for basic loft conversion projects that you might want to consider:

The Loft Bedroom

This is one of the most popular uses for converted loft space. The need for an extra bedroom is one of the biggest reasons homeowners consider remodeling their home and the loft can be the perfect location. To avoid the cramped and dark feeling that some loft bedrooms have consider adding a dormer window or two to add light to the room and provide wonderful bedtime sky views.

The Playroom

Does your child’s bedroom look like a nuclear bomb hit it? Do you trip over a doll or toy car every time you enter the room? An loft playroom gives the kids all the room they need to play and keeps the clutter in the rest of the house to a minimum.

A loft remodeling contractor will be able to help you ensure that the area is safe for them to play in by advising you about ways to ensure that little ones cannot access any potentially dangerous nooks and crannies.

The Library

Many people have box after box of books stored in their loft because they simply have nowhere to put them on display. Why not let your literature breathe by adding a loft library? The architecture of the average loft lends itself beautifully to built in shelving and the quiet of the loft makes it the perfect place to add a studious retreat.

Guest Suite

The loft offers you the opportunity to create a guest suite that will have long lost friends and relatives lining up for an invitation to spend the night. Loft bathrooms are not too difficult to create and can actually be more attractive than the ones downstairs if there is a lot of natural light in the space.

Whatever you decide will be the best use for your loft space this is the one home remodeling project that you cannot afford to go it alone on, as there are so many structural and access concerns to be addressed. Hiring a good loft conversion specialist will ensure that your loft conversion project will be attractive addition that can be enjoyed for years to come.

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Are You Ready to Move Up – To the Loft That Is?

Converting unused loft space into an extra bedroom – or even a whole new master suite – is a popular way to add extra livable space to a home that is otherwise one you want to stay in. Done right, thanks to the fact that loft conversions are so versatile and potential-filled – in the right professional hands of course – such rooms can become the most spectacular in the house.

A loft conversion project like this is not for everyone though and it’s not right for every home. Here are some points to consider if this is a project that interests you:

Is Loft Living for You?

Whether the new space will be used by you or another member of the household or even converted into a guest room, you do have to consider if the loft is really a place you would want to sleep. Some people love the idea of the serenity of being separated from the rest of home but do not relish the climb up the stairs.

In addition parents with younger children may be uncomfortable with the level of separation from the rest of the house that a loft bedroom would bring. On the other hand, a teen may thank you forever – or at least for a day or so – for providing them with a sanctuary away from everyone else (and you may even enjoy it yourself) Consider your unique family situation when deciding whether or not loft living is for you.

It’s worth remembering too that loft conversions can be used to create more than just an extra bedroom. They can be the perfect spot for a home office as they add the extra ‘level’ of separation from the rest of the home that everyone who works from home craves. They can also be utilized to create a study, a ‘man cave’, a home theatre or even a home gym (although that will remove any excuses you have about not being able to find the time to go to the gym!)

Is a Loft Bedroom a Good Idea Financially?

Your next step should be to begin to determine just how much work and money it will actually take to convert your loft into a livable bedroom. In older houses, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning may all have to be run up to the loft and if you want to add an en-suite bathroom plumbing pipes as well. The best way to determine this is to call in a loft conversion specialist who will be able to access your loft, listen to your project ideas and then give you a cost estimate for the project.

Many homeowners do find though that the initial expense of all this to them is minimal in comparison to the benefits offered by the new functional space they will be gaining. Some people even manage to make extra money by renting out the extra bedroom to lodgers!

Once You Decide to Go Ahead

If you do determine that a loft bedroom is right for you the real fun begins. Most lofts and attics are visually very beautiful after loft conversions. Usually, the roof lines that are already in place make for stunning ceilings and as you are literally right at the top of the house the lighting options are great too. Many lofts already have good windows that let in a lot of natural light but even if yours does not adding a skylight or sun tube or two is not a big deal for a good professional.

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Everything you Need to Know about Bungalow Loft Conversions

Once upon a time bungalows were considered to be the preserve of the elderly. Those cozy little places you retired to after a long life of hard work, maybe by the sea, with roses round the door. However bungalows these days are some of the most sought-after property types you can buy. Why? One of the biggest is reasons is that they present the potential to easily expand upwards, via an expert bungalow loft conversion, into a very chic and practical chalet bungalow.

But before you start making plans to convert your bungalow – or buy a bungalow with a view to carrying out a bungalow loft conversion there are a few important things that you should know.

Why Bungalows are So Ripe for Conversion

Because of the larger floor plan that most bungalows are built with, and their traditional pitched roofs in many cases more than 40% of the available space – space that could be converted into great usable living space – goes unused. Usually, this means that the average loft in a bungalow is a large expanse of untapped potential just waiting to be utilized in lots of different ways.

Generally, the older a bungalow is the better. Those that were built in the UK before 1960 were constructed with big, very open loft spaces that were designed for storage. Most also have load bearing walls (which is very good news, as any loft conversion specialist will tell you) that can stand up to the construction of new loft rooms, and the steep pitch of their roofs means that it is unlikely that you’ll need a dormer window either.

Having said that, even those with a shallower pitch can be easily converted into a chalet bungalow with the help of a bungalow loft conversion specialist, as they understand what all of the different options are for gaining head height and which would be best suited to your unique property.

The Importance of Load Bearing Walls

The biggest problem usually encountered when a bungalow loft conversion is being considered is a lack of load-bearing walls. This does not necessarily end the dream though, it means that it’s likely that your loft conversion specialist will need to do some structural support and/or underpinning work first. These things are not hard for an experienced pro to execute but they will add to the cost of the conversion as a whole.

Where Will the Stairs Go?

A bungalow loft conversion does mean that you will be adding stairs to a property that was never designed to have them. No matter where you choose to do this it will mean losing some of the floor space on what will now become the ground floor level. However, a good design plan will be able to tackle the issue and ensure that the space lost is minimal.

Building By the Book

In general, the good news is that building regulations are a little more relaxed for bungalow conversion staircases. In multi-story properties, new staircases should be ‘fire protected stairways’. This isn’t always possible in a bungalow, so escape windows should be added to the new loft rooms to satisfy building regulations instead. However, if you are working with a loft specialist they will take care of making sure that everything is up to code.

Getting to the Fun Part

All the basics have been covered and your loft conversion specialist is in agreement: your bungalow is a great candidate for a loft conversion. So now the real fun starts, what are you going to do with all of that extra space?

Many people choose to use the space to create a wonderful master bedroom suite (complete with bathroom) that frees up a room downstairs to be converted into something else. But that’s not your only option of course. A home office, a library, a playroom, a spare room for your teen kid to be ‘promoted’ up to there are lots of possibilities when it comes to bungalow loft conversion. All you have to do is figure out which one is right for you.

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How To Use Difficult Spaces In Loft Conversions

It is the very rare loft space that is perfectly square or rectangular. In most UK homes the loft has at least one or two awkward corners, or low hanging beams that may make it seem like a successful loft conversion would be hard to pull off without wasted space or odd, empty bits. And loft eaves certainly almost always present something of a design challenge. However, a good loft conversion specialist can almost always find a way to work with these difficult spaces.

There are, in fact, some rather ingenious – and certainly very practical ways – that difficult loft spaces can be utilized for some very practical – and attractive – purposes. Here’s a look at just some of them:

Replace Walls With Windows

Most lofts are rather dark, at least compared to the rest of the home they belong to. That means that the addition of windows and/or skylights to add light is very common in loft conversions. And often the best place to add these windows is in those odd nooks and crannies. A low triangular space, for example, can be a great spot to add what would be a very striking window. And while having an ‘odd shaped window’ may mean it’s hard to find blinds or curtains that issue can be solved using light-sensitive tinting or even textured glass.

Make Use of Height

If you have plenty of height in your loft but not much floor space, building upwards can be the answer. These spaces are perfect for loft type bedroom spaces, a look that is as beautiful as it is practical. Loft beds almost always feature plenty of room for under bed storage as well, another way to ensure that you make the most of a limited amount of floor space while making a very practical addition to any home.

Add Storage

Whatever you decide you want to do do with your loft space after conversion you are certainly going to need storage of some kind. Odd corners are great for creating ‘storage nooks’, with built-in shelving and more. There have even been some loft conversion specialists who have found a way to turn odd under eaves spaces into that most desired of storage spaces; the walk-in closet and others have used them as mini librries to showcase all those beautiful books that are all too often hidden away in boxes when they really deserve to be displayed.

Add a Bathroom

In the average busy family household, it can often seem like there would never be able to be such a thing as too many bathrooms, and it is for this reason that a bathroom addition is a very common feature of loft conversions. Often the area below the eaves, which can be awkward to fit into an open plan loft, does make the perfect location for an attic bathroom.

These are just a few of the uses those difficult loft spaces can be put to doing a loft conversion. A good loft conversion specialist will be able to help you come up with many more.

And while we are on the subject, that really is the key to a successful loft conversion of any kind. Working with a loft conversion specialist. While a general contractor may be able to handle the basics just fine they lack the specialist knowledge of loft spaces to really make the most of them. A loft conversion specialist, on the other hand, has the experience and expertise to take that blank canvas, even if it is rather oddly shaped, and help you turn it into something very special.

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5 Things No One Tells You About a Loft Conversion

You’ve been considering commissioning a loft conversion. After all, there’s a lot of space up there and all you are doing with it at the moment is storing the Christmas decorations and a ton of random boxes that you can’t quite remember why they re there (or what they contain)

There are tons of articles, videos, blog posts and idea type lookbooks out there that can be very useful in helping you make a decision about a loft conversion for your home. But as much great information as many of them contain there are some things they do tend to leave out. Here are 5 of the most important.

Your Home – and Your Life – Will Change

The one thing that lots of people who have already converted their loft can tell you is that it makes a BIG difference to your home and the way it functions. Which means it makes a big difference to your life. Whatever you choose to do with your new loft space – an extra bedroom, a study, maybe even a granny flat – having all this new extra functionality takes some time to get used to. But once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

You Have to Check the Legal Stuff

There is a lot of information out there that suggests you can give DIY loft conversion a go if the space is already partially livable. The one thing that these advice pieces tend to fail to mention however is that there are legal ramifications involved with converting a loft and if you don’t know what the rules are, and you break them, you could be in quite a bit of hot water.

You’ll Probably Save Money In Unexpected Ways

Did you know that the addition of livable new space in the loft is also the perfect opportunity to make your home more energy efficient? This is because the installation of specific insulation is a requirement of building regulations and the insulation required is of a higher standard than it is for a loft space that is not intended to be occupied.

What this means in practical terms is that a lot less heat will be lost through the roof (heat rises remember) and that will help keep your home warmer in the winter. Conversely, because the warm summer sun will be trapped by the new insulation when it shines down on your roof your home will stay cooler in the summer too.

It Might Not Cost As Much As You Think

There’s no denying it. As far as home improvement projects go a loft conversion is a biggie. But the costs may not be quite as high as you imagine. In fact a good loft conversion can be just as affordable as a big kitchen refit, and add just as much to the perceived market value of your home.

You Have to Get the Right Help

Ask around and you will hear plenty of nightmare stories about loft conversions gone wrong. Lofts that even when converted did not become the great usable space that their owners had envisioned by a badly constructed disaster area instead. But, in most cases, that happened because the homeowners didn’t take the time to find the right loft conversion specialists, they just went with the lowest bid instead.

The right loft conversion specialist is one that has plenty of experience, is transparent and upfront about a loft conversion project’s costs and is committed to doing a great job from start to finish. They will be able to provide you with good references and answer any and all of your questions, before, during and even after the project is completed.

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source https://www.abclofts.co.uk/5-things-no-one-tells-you-about-a-loft-conversion/

What You Should Know About Bungalow Loft Conversion

From Average to Awesome and Amazing Attic Remodeling Ideas Are you making the most of the loft space in your home? Bungalow Loft Conversions projects offer so many options and opportunities to add functional living space to your home that the whole family can enjoy. With the help of a loft conversion specialist, your loft can be transformed from average to awesome in a matter of weeks. Still, need some inspiration? Look no further. Loft Conversions Basics The average loft is a repository for clutter and chances are you really do not even pay it a visit until it is time to get the Christmas decorations down every winter. However, a loft can be so much more and with the guidance and assistance of a good loft conversion specialist space above your head can provide a way to add extra living space to your home as well as upping the perceived value should you ever decide to sell up and move on. London loft conversion does present a unique set of challenges. Building codes specify that the roof should be a certain height and there may be insulation and flooring issues to be addressed before the real remodeling work can begin. A consultation with loft conversion company will allow you to find out what realistically can or cannot be achieved with the loft space in your home. The majority of lofts run the entire length of the home, meaning that there is an awful lot of square footage for you to work with. Here are some ideas for attic remodeling projects that you might want to consider: The Loft Bedroom This is one of the most popular uses for converted loft space. The need for an extra bedroom is one of the biggest reasons homeowners consider remodeling their home and the loft can be the perfect location. To avoid the cramped and dark feeling that some small bedrooms have, consider adding a dormer window or two to add light to the room and provide wonderful bedtime sky views. The Loft Playroom Does your child’s bedroom look like a nuclear bomb hit it? Do you trip over a doll or toy car – or painfully step on a Lego – every time you enter the room? A loft playroom gives the kids all the room they need to play and keeps the clutter in the rest of the house to a minimum. A London loft conversion specialist will be able to help you ensure that the area is safe for them to play in by advising you about ways to ensure that little ones cannot access any potentially dangerous nooks and crannies. The Loft Library Many people have box after box of books stored in their loft because they simply have nowhere to put them on display. Why not let your literature breathe by adding a loft library? The architecture of the average loft lends itself beautifully to built-in shelving and the quiet of the space makes it the perfect place to add a studious retreat. The Loft Guest Suite The loft offers you the opportunity to create a guest suite that will have long lost friends and relatives lining up for an invitation to spend the night. Loft bathrooms are not too difficult to create and can actually be more attractive than the ones downstairs if there is a lot of natural light in the space. Whatever you decide will be the best use for your loft space this is the one home remodeling project that you cannot afford to go it alone on, as there are so many structural and access concerns to be addressed. Hiring a good London loft conversion company will, however, ensure that your attic remodeling project will be an attractive addition to your home that can be enjoyed for years to come. Re-shared Content. Original Source: https://www.abclofts.co.uk/what-you-should-know-about-bungalow-loft-conversion/

Is Your Loft Too Small to Convert?

Did you know that loft conversions are one of the most popular renovations undertaken by UK homeowners? If you didn’t it still shouldn’t surprise you as a loft conversion is an excellent way to add livable space to your existing home without the hassle of ‘building out’ And it’s certainly far less bothersome than trying to move to a larger home in the same area if your family seems to be ‘running out of space’.

There are those people however who, although they certainly fancy the idea of a loft conversion for their home, never do get around to calling a loft conversion specialist because they believe that their loft is simply too small to convert. However, often they are quite wrong.

Think your loft space is just too small for conversion. Let’s take a look at the basics. By the time we are finished here, you may have changed your mind

Small Loft Conversion and Building Regulations

The building regulations for small loft conversion state that lofts need to be at least 2.4m at the highest point before they are converted. Not sure if your loft meets that requirement? Head up to your loft and measure f(carefully) from the top of the ceiling boards all the way up to the peak of the roof.

You should, however, be aware that the conversion process will probably reduce head height even further and that the regulations do state that there needs to be a minimum of two metres headroom remaining after the project is completed in order for the conversion to be compliant.

Two metres can be hard to envisage, but here’s a comparison. Retired NBA basketball legend Shaquille O Neal – aka Shaq – is 2.1 metres tall. So your loft height will have to equal one Shaq. Not as high as you thought right?

Trusses are Not the Big Problem You Think They Are

Trusses are those large beams that often criss-cross the attic space in order to support the weight of the roof. Many homeowners whose attics contain large W-shaped trusses believe that these mean that their lofts are unsuitable for conversion but this really isn’t the case. Trusses can be removed relatively easily, with steel or wooden beam replacements running the length of your roof to bear the load. This not only meets building regulations but will add even more space to your potential small loft conversion than before.

Work with a Loft Conversion Specialist to Get Creative with Your Plans

A small loft conversion does not have to look cramped or weird, especially as there are lots of ‘tricks’ employed in the design trade to help such spaces look and feel bigger than you might have ever imagined possible.

For example, in small spaces, maximising the amount of natural light becomes very important, as making the environment feel bright and airy is an important part of good loft conversion design. Because of their upward facing angle, sloping loft ceilings are a perfect place to add skylights. These let in far more light than a regular window at all times of day and can look rather stunning from a design point of view as well.

Not sure that you’ll have enough room to add any more up in your loft conversion than maybe a bed and a chair? Think again. There are all kinds of clever storage solutions that can be picked up inexpensively that can be used to add functionality to a small loft space without making it feel cluttered.

And speaking of furniture, don’t be afraid of big furniture Just because the room is small doesn’t mean that you have to pick out equally tiny pieces of furniture. Sometimes, it can be a much better use of space to go for one or two large pieces of furniture instead. So feel free to be bold and stick that giant sofa or king-sized bed up there (as long as they’ll fit up your loft’s stairs that is).

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source https://www.abclofts.co.uk/is-your-loft-too-small-to-convert/

Tips for Selecting the Perfect Loft Conversion Company

If you are considering a loft conversion to add value and function while keeping a potential future sale in mind you are really going to need to seek out and hire a good loft conversion company. But exactly how do you go about doing that?

You do a Google search for a loft conversion company in London d lo and behold dozens of results pop up, all in reasonably close proximity to your home. Now what? How do you even begin to start to make the right choice? Let’s take it step by step:

The Website

Most people’s first point of contact these days with almost any company is their website. Do not be fooled though. While a nice looking website can be a good sign you should not be blinded by a very fancy one. Being able to build a nice website (or to pay to have one built) does not mean that you can build a great loft!

There are some things that you should be looking for though. Clear contact information should be prominently displayed and not just a contact form either, a real telephone number and a real address should be easy to find. If a loft conversion company does not list such things that should be a red flag.

The Human Touch

Letting strangers spend days, weeks, or even months come and go in your home is a big leap of faith. If a loft conversion company is not willing to arrange a face to face meeting then even more alarm bells should start going off in your head. You are also entitled to ask questions about why the company is in business. It may sound a little silly at first, but if a contractor is not passionate about what they do – and about great customer service – then they are simply not going to do the best job possible.

Any good craftsman is proud of their work and that is especially true of any loft conversion specialist. Most great ones will want to flood you with examples of their great work, sometimes until you beg them to stop. That is not a bad thing though, it means they are proud of what they do and will carry that passion onto your project.

The Legal Stuff

Another huge headache for a homeowner is an improperly insured contractor. Hiring a contractor who is not properly insured can be more of a problem than you might think. Contractors of any kind – but especially loft conversion companies, as these are very specialized – need to carry the insurance that not only covers them but you and your home as well. Ask to see proofs of a loft conversion company’s licenses and insurance coverage before any work begins.

A Listening Ear

You may not have the technical know-how to pull of your desired loft conversion project but you do know what you want and that usually is not exactly the same thing as your neighbor, and the people down the street have.

Some companies, usually the larger ones actually, will offer you set options for standard remodels. You can have A,B,C (or maybe even D) floorplan with X,Y,Z additional options. Any deviations are considered ‘custom’ and will cost you double the price.

That is not the way a loft conversion should work. Look for a loft conversion company who will listen to your vision and then tell you how they can execute it, explaining any challenges they foresee in getting you exactly what you want.

An All Seeing Eye

Most people are remodeling their loft for form and function and so how a loft space looks when all is said and done is very important as well. Ask the loft conversion company you are considering what their interior design experience consists of as well. Good contractors will either have a qualified individual on staff or they will have a solid working relationship with a reliable and trusted associate who can help ensure that all of the design bases are covered as well as the technical ones.

Image Source: piclitegt.pw

The post Tips for Selecting the Perfect Loft Conversion Company appeared first on ABC Lofts : The Loft Conversion Specialist | ABC Lofts | West London.

source https://www.abclofts.co.uk/tips-for-selecting-the-perfect-loft-conversion-company/

From Average to Awesome and Amazing Attic Remodeling Ideas

Are you making the most of the loft space in your home? Loft conversions London projects offer so many options and opportunities to add functional living space to your home that the whole family can enjoy. With the help of a London loft conversion specialist, your loft can be transformed from average to awesome in a matter of weeks. Still need some inspiration? Look no further.

Loft Conversions London Basics

The average loft is a repository for clutter and chances are you really do not even pay it a visit until it is time to get the Christmas decorations down every winter. However, a loft can be so much more and with the guidance and assistance of a good loft conversion specialist the space above your head can provide a way to add extra living space to your home as well as upping the perceived value should you ever decide to sell up and move on.

London loft conversion does present a unique set of challenges. Building codes specify that the roof should be a certain height and there may be insulation and flooring issues to be addressed before the real remodeling work can begin. A consultation with loft conversion company will allow you to find out what realistically can or cannot be achieved with the loft space in your home.

The majority of lofts run the entire length of the home, meaning that there is an awful lot of square footage for you to work with. Here are some ideas for attic remodeling projects that you might want to consider:

The Loft Bedroom

This is one of the most popular uses for converted loft space. The need for an extra bedroom is one of the biggest reasons homeowners consider remodeling their home and the loft can be the perfect location. To avoid the cramped and dark feeling that some small bedrooms have, consider adding a dormer window or two to add light to the room and provide wonderful bedtime sky views.

The Loft Playroom

Does your child’s bedroom look like a nuclear bomb hit it? Do you trip over a doll or toy car – or painfully step on a Lego – every time you enter the room? A loft playroom gives the kids all the room they need to play and keeps the clutter in the rest of the house to a minimum. A London loft conversion specialist will be able to help you ensure that the area is safe for them to play in by advising you about ways to ensure that little ones cannot access any potentially dangerous nooks and crannies.

The Loft Library

Many people have box after box of books stored in their loft because they simply have nowhere to put them on display. Why not let your literature breathe by adding a loft library? The architecture of the average loft lends itself beautifully to built-in shelving and the quiet of the space makes it the perfect place to add a studious retreat.

The Loft Guest Suite

The loft offers you the opportunity to create a guest suite that will have long lost friends and relatives lining up for an invitation to spend the night. Loft bathrooms are not too difficult to create and can actually be more attractive than the ones downstairs if there is a lot of natural light in the space.

Whatever you decide will be the best use for your loft space this is the one home remodeling project that you cannot afford to go it alone on, as there are so many structural and access concerns to be addressed. Hiring a good London loft conversion company will, however, ensure that your attic remodeling project will be an attractive addition to your home that can be enjoyed for years to come.

The post From Average to Awesome and Amazing Attic Remodeling Ideas appeared first on ABC Lofts : The Loft Conversion Specialist | ABC Lofts | West London.

source https://www.abclofts.co.uk/from-average-to-awesome-and-amazing-attic-remodeling-ideas/