you dont need planning to do a loft conversion unless you are putting in dormer windows, velux windows do not require planning approval.

You will need Building Warrant approval though. This would be far less stringent if the room is just a "store" however when you sell it will just be classed as a store so not worth as much.

Best bet is to get an architect to have a look at it

will also need an engineer to check joists are capable of carrying extra loading

if its done properly its essentially adding another bedroom to the house so i would think it would increase the value.

That said i did mine as cheap as possible, just plasterboards ect, looks really nice up here use it as a bedroom now.

A loft room will only add value to a house if it is legal, has planning permission and passes health and saftey. No point in adding a staircase if you are not going to get planning permission, do it as cheaply as possible. In the end it will add no value and may put of future buyers, but if you want it go for it.

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Originally posted by sparkywrex
city, i heard that if it had proper staircase leading up to it then it would have added value to the house but its just a pulldown ladder stairs, u might be right though

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got mine done! had to getting planning permission, had to make proper stair case etc which is going from master bed room to loft room biggest bedroom of the house! i'll try 2 get a few pics........:thumbs:

i thought you only needed planning permission if you wanted to convert it to a bedroom and be able to sell it as a bedroom. Im sure you dont need it and it just gets classed as a floored loft.. may be wrong though. May need a letter of comfort afterwards.

If you had a staircase and a proper conversion from a company it would cost you at least 10k in the 1st place.

city, i heard that if it had proper staircase leading up to it then it would have added value to the house but its just a pulldown ladder stairs, u might be right though

depends, could just be a fancy store room :lol:

I thought it would only require planning consent if you put a window in which sticks out from the house. In which case you would be subject to planning permission.

However you will have to have some form of escape so you NEED some sort of window, Velux being the preferred choice. You will also have to wire in a seperate smoke alarm.

Apart from that....bash on :cool:

do it put 10k on your house at least

You will, or you can not get it and have trouble when it comes to selling the house...

You will still need planning consent will you not?

You only need to meet building regulations if you ever want to sell it.

My loft has been made into something like above, mainly by moving the tank out the road and a bit of flooring.

However you could argue that its not going be to lived in, only used for storage...

But a 'retreat' sounds to me like a room that will be used quite regulary

Has to meet building regulations

Meeting building regulations

A loft conversion for habitation will require Building Regulations approval from the local authority.
If the size of the building is being increased (by more than 15%), the exterior of the building is changing, or you are in a conservation area or listed building, then you may also need planning permission.
Architectural drawings MUST be submitted and approved by the council before any work can go ahead, a process that takes around 3 months, depending on the council.
Building and fire regulation plans must then also be submitted to the Local Authority Building Control department – another 4 to 6 weeks for approval.
You will need a Party Wall Agreement with any neighbours affected.
Skips and scaffolding need the relevant paperwork.
A loft conversion company will do this job for you, relieving much of the headache

However we know of people who have done it without permission, which is fair enough however i wouldnt do it.

Call your local council for advice - im sure they will know there

[Edited on 09-11-2006 by Ally]

just laminate flooring, spot lights, just a retreat realy somewhere for bit of peace

What do you mean by conversion?

Some flooring and a light?

can only be a store room what im doing wont add value to the house

Aren't there legal requirements for lofe conversions? i.e proper ventilation, proper staircase etc

anyone here had one done? getting my dads mate whose good at doing this sort of work to do it for me after xmas, i am expecting to pay about a grand, not having a proper staircase just pull down steps as there is no space 4 another staircase
post ya pics up if youve had it done