The popularity of loft conversions is - pardon the pun - going through the roof! The additional room, literally transforms your home and probability more crucially, adds significant value to the property. Whilst it is usually a little easier to do a standard extension on a house, a loft conversion will almost certainly put more value on the house. One of the most important rules to follow when undertaking a loft conversion is to remember that you can't just go ahead with the work, as you do need to check whether or not you're going to break any laws first! If the loft is to become habitable accommodation, (like in the case of a home office) you certainly need to comply with the Building Regulations, and you may even need Planning Permission.

The Building Regulations are there to ensure that a reasonable level of health and safety is maintained. Where an existing roof construction is to be altered, the roof must continue to be adequately supported usually via load-bearing studwork onto load-bearing elements such as internal walls or new steel beams. To ensure that the existing structure is suitable for carrying additional loads of the loft conversions, it may be necessary to dig trial holes to check the existing foundations to internal and external walls, and it may be that existing lintels will need to be replaced. It is unlikely that the existing ceiling joists will be adequate for the new floor loading and new joists will need to be inserted. Loft stairs must offer a safe means of access; a typical loft staircase construction fits between an existing wall and a purpose built partition stud wall with wiring installed for lighting. The minimum headroom on staircases and corridors is 2 metres. In circumstances where there is insufficient space to achieve this height, a minimum headroom at the centre of the stair of 1.9 metres may be acceptable.

A loft conversion specification dictates that a handrail must be fitted 900 to 1000mm above the pitch line of the stairs or the floor of any landing, fitted with vertical rails. The specifications and plans can get a little scary, but provided the conversion is carried out by skilled and preferably professional people, it can be completed in next to no time. Just remember to comply with regulations; youÂ’d hate to be paid an un-wanted visit by your local council officials, theyÂ’re always ready to pounce!