Attic Conversions
Looking For A Show-Stopping Attic Conversion In Perth?
How often do you go up to your loft? Are you using it to its full potential?
Often, attic space can simply be sitting there, (literally) gathering dust. It’s very common for loft space to be underused, undervalued and underappreciated as most serve as a simple attic storage space that is never fully utilised.
At DG Ritchie Joinery Services, we transform your roof space into a functioning room of the house. You might have dreamed of an extra bedroom, additional living space or even a home office. With a loft conversion, you can make that dream a reality.
Why convert your attic?
Loft conversions are the perfect solution for people looking for more habitable space in their home but don’t want to move house.
You might have another family member on the way and want to convert your loft into a new bedroom or nursery. Or perhaps you need a space that’s just dedicated for yourself, to relax and wind down. Loft spaces can make for charming and quirky rooms, especially if there are vaulted ceilings and an attic ladder is installed.
But this isn’t all; attic conversions can be used to create:
A home office or relaxing environment for working for home
A new bedroom for growing families or guests
A new play area or games room for children
A comfortable and private new room to wind down in.
Generally speaking, it’s a quick and easy process and can add a significant amount of value to your property. It can often be a wise investment as the value-added to your house can pay back the cost of installing your conversion if you decide to sell.
How much value does an attic conversion add?
According to leading property sites and research completed by the Nationwide Building Society, a loft or attic conversion could add as much as 20% to the value of your home. This type of addition to a home is often included in many lists of the top ways to get the most for any property.
If you’re concerned about losing out on the storage space, don’t worry! We can install storage solutions such as built-in drawers and cupboards, meaning not only can you keep your storage room, but unlock so much more potential from previously wasted space.
Whatever you intend to use the room for, we’ll design and implement the conversion to suit you.
We work on a customer by customer basis, always ensuring that we’re delivering on your requirements. The new space can help you put the stamp of individuality on your home, and we’ll help you every step of the way.
We’re there for you from start to finish
One of our core values is our personable service. We never see our customers as a number and strive to make authentic connections in our business. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your specific vision.
We understand that navigating building regulations can seem intimidating. After many years of experience, we are now experts in what is required and possible for your building. Not all conversions require planning permission, for example.
A structural engineer will need to evaluate your roof space to ascertain what is possible for your loft. This will be dependent on a range of factors, including roof structure and ceiling height. Before starting the job, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of the extent of the building works needed to complete your project.
Please get in touch with us, and we can provide you with further information and advice.
Project managing all aspects
Let our team of multi-talented tradespeople deal with the hard work for you. From plumbing to heating to electrical works, painting and paperwork, we’ll do it all. This allows you to simply sit back and enjoy the process while we deliver high-quality results. With us, you’re in good hands.
Outstanding Customer Service
For us, it’s not all about the final product but the process itself. Our team members pride themselves on providing a friendly and approachable customer experience. If you need any advice, assistance or additional information, we will be there to lend a hand.
Contact us today
Attic Conversion Answers
A loft conversion is the process of converting the unused space in the attic of a house into a habitable room, such as a bedroom or office. Loft conversions will include the sloped eaves in its design, if the property has a pitched roof.
An attic conversion, on the other hand, is the process of converting the entire attic of a house into a living space. It generally has a fixed staircase and has the eaves area of the loft squared off to create a box room in the centre.
It's necessary to obtain a building warrant from your local council before you start any work on a loft or attic conversion. This is to ensure that the work meets the necessary building regulations and safety standards.
There are several issues that can arise with an attic conversion, most notably around space, heating and ventilation.
Some of the most common issues to be aware of are:
- Insufficient head height: Before starting an attic conversion, you should measure the height of the space to ensure it meets local building codes. If the head height is too low, you may need to modify the roof structure or lower the ceiling in the floor below, which can be expensive.
- Poor ventilation: Attics tend to be poorly ventilated, which can lead to issues such as condensation, mold growth, and poor air quality. Proper ventilation is essential to prevent these problems.
- Inadequate insulation: Attics can be drafty and poorly insulated, which can result in heat loss during the winter and excessive heat buildup during the summer. Proper insulation is essential to make the space comfortable and energy-efficient.
- Access: If the existing access to the attic is via a small hatch, it may need to be enlarged to accommodate stairs. This can be a challenging and expensive task.
- Planning permission: Depending on your location and the scope of the project, you may need planning permission or building permits. Failure to obtain the necessary permissions can result in fines or even demolition of the conversion.
- Cost: Attic conversions can be expensive, especially if major modifications are required to the existing structure. So, whilst they are a worthwhile investment you should be aware of the high expected cost of converting your attic.
When choosing a lighting option for your attic space, it's important to consider the size of the space, the type of activities it will be used for and your personal style preferences.
There are several lighting options to choose from, with some of the most popular options being:
- Ceiling-mounted fixtures
- Recessed lighting
- Track lighting
- Portable lighting
- Natural lighting from windows or skylights
There a few options when it comes to installing new window types for your attic conversion. These include:
- Dormer Windows: The most popular type of window for an attic. Dormer windows are set vertically into a small structure that projects from a sloping roof. Dormer windows are commonly used to create more space and natural light, making them ideal for attic conversions with sloping roofs.
- Skylights or Roof Windows: Skylights or roof windows are windows that are installed in the roof of a building to allow natural light to enter the interior space, making them perfect for attic conversions. They can be fixed or operable and come in various shapes and sizes.
- Casement Windows: This type of window is hinged on one side and opens outward, usually operated by a crank or lever. Casement windows are popular in homes across the UK but might not be the best choice for an attic. However, they do provide excellent ventilation and a modern and contemporary look.
- Gable End Windows: A gable end window is a window that is located at the gable end of a building, typically in the triangular section of a pitched roof. If it is possible to install one in your attic, it will provide a dramatic architectural feature whilst helping to maximize natural light.
Yes, you need to ensure there is enough headroom in your loft or attic to make it a liveable space. Building regulations require a minimum of 2.3m headroom in a loft conversion and 2.1m in an attic conversion. Typically your architect or insulation engineer would calculate the u value for your property. This is normally part of what your architect would provide as part of their service.
Insulating your loft or attic is important to keep the temperature of the space comfortable and to reduce heat loss. We can carry out full insulation work for you as part of our attic conversion service whilst making sure it meets building regulations.
A properly ventilated attic or loft is important to prevent damp and mold. Building regulations require a certain amount of ventilation to be provided in the space. We will always take measures to ensure your attic conversion has the proper ventilation installed when carrying out a conversion project.
A staircase will be required to access your new attic conversion. You will have to plan for this and decide which type of access you prefer, a staircase or Ramsay ladder.
A staircase is a set of steps that connect two levels of a building, typically with a handrail for safety. Typically made of wood, concrete, or metal, staircases are generally wider than Ramsay ladders, allowing for easier and more comfortable movement up and down the steps. They also provide a permanent access solution to the upper level and are a popular choice for full attic conversions especially if the attic is being converted into a living space.
A Ramsay ladder is a foldable ladder that can be easily stored away when not in use, taking up minimal space. It is specifically designed to be used in loft or attic conversions and will usually be made of wood or aluminum.
Whilst Ramsay ladders are less expensive than staircases, they are often criticised for not being as safe or as comfortable as staircases. Ramsay ladders are typically not used as a permanent solution for access in a full attic conversion but could work well if you are converting your attic into a storage space.
Depending on your property, the structure of your attic or loft may not be able to support the additional weight of a new living space. If this is the case you may require additional support beams or other structural changes to ensure your attic conversion is built properly and safely, in line with building regulations.
The amount of work needed on an attic conversion will depend on what you intend to use the space for. For example, if you are adding a bathroom or kitchen area you will need a plumber but if you are converting to a bedroom, a heating engineer would still be necessary.
The different trades or professionals needed could include all or some of the below:
- Builder or General contractor
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Carpenter
- Insulation Specialist
- Roofing contractor
- Painters and decorator
- Home Entertainment
- Interior Designer
Fortunately, DG Ritchie has the team, experience, tools and know-how to offer an all-in-one solution to attic conversions.
For any additional support we may need, we have a variety of trustworthy partners that we can recommend and use to ensure your attic conversion is fully completed without the need for multiple companies and contractors getting involved.
Whether or not you need an architect for an attic conversion depends on the scope and complexity of the project. In some circumstances, you may need to hire both an architect and a contractor if you wish to convert your attic into a new room or livable space.
However, the experienced joinery and manufacturing team at DG Ritchie are sufficiently qualified to plan, design and build your new attic. We can confidently handle every aspect of your attic conversion, saving you costs on hiring multiple tradespeople and professionals.
Yes, an attic conversion will almost certainly raise the value of your home.
Converting your attic into a functional living space can increase the square footage of your home, and therefore increase its overall value. In fact, recent data from the Nationwide Building Society indicates that an attic conversion could raise the value of a home by up to 20%!
Generally speaking, an attic conversion is often less expensive than a house extension but it will all depend on the type of work that is being carried out and how sophisticated your attic design is.
As an attic is an existing structure, there is normally less need for lengthy construction work. In addition, your attic will likely already benefit from existing heating and cooling systems in the property, which can reduce the need for new installations and added expenses.
Finally, an attic conversion provides better value for money in terms of the increased living space it provides relative to the cost of the project. You could create a whole new bedroom, living room or recreational space without building a new area from scratch or changing the structural integrity of your property.
The cost of an attic conversion will depend on the size and complexity of the project, the materials used, and the specific design requirements. However, here are some rough estimates of the cost of an attic conversion:
- Basic attic conversion: A basic attic conversion involves installing insulation, flooring, lighting, and stairs to access the space. This type of conversion can cost between £20,000 to £50,000, depending on the size of the attic and the level of finishes used.
- Dormer attic conversion: A dormer attic conversion involves adding a dormer to the roof to create more headroom and additional floor space. This type of conversion typically costs between £30,000 to £80,000.
- Full-scale attic conversion: A full-scale attic conversion involves a complete renovation of the attic space, including adding plumbing, heating, and electrical systems to create a fully functioning living space. This type of conversion can cost upwards of £80,000 - £100,000+.
It's important to note that these are rough estimates, and the cost of your attic conversion will vary depending on your specific requirements.
At DG Ritchie, we’ll always give you an accurate estimate before any work begins so you have a clear idea of what you can expect to pay for your attic conversion.
