Space is at a premium in most London homes, and Twickenham is no different. But if you have an attic or unused roof space in your home, a straightforward loft conversion could enable you to convert it into a beautiful playroom, your dream home office, guest room or master bedroom. Not only will you benefit from the extra space, it could increase the resale value of your property.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about loft conversions in Twickenham, from the beginnings of the project to the actual works and the formalities.
Why choose to convert an unused space into a loft?
Increasing the size of your home
Do you need an extra room to accommodate a new family member? Do you wish you had a spare room for guests such as friends and family? Do you need a quiet office space because you've been working from home since the pandemic?
Lofts offer untapped potential to add extra space to your home. There is no simpler or more affordable way to add on to your house.
Boost the worth of your house by up to 20%
In addition to increasing your living space, loft conversions can increase the value of your property by up to 20%, according to a recent analysis by Express. Therefore you should recoup the cost of the building works when you come to sell your property.
Why are loft conversions particularly interesting in Twickenham?
It is not surprising that Twickenham is a well-liked area, most of all by families and young professionals seeking an urban lifestyle. The area has a strong feeling of community, which makes life there really pleasant.
Twickenham is rich in its social and cultural aspects with a variety of independent stores, taverns, weekly markets, and cafés. It’s also host to the world’s largest rugby union stadium with an 82000 person seating capacity, the venue for England Rugby’s home matches as well as concerts from the likes of Rihanna to REM.
These specifics might seem trivial, but in reality it is crucial to look at the face of the city you live in before embarking on any kind of large or medium scale renovation project.
The dynamism of Twickenham means that more and more people will want to live here and you will have no trouble renting your loft with this rising demand for housing.
On the other hand, if Twickenham is becoming a nice city to live in for a long time, an extra room will be welcome if your family grows.
Finally, the more dynamic and youthful the city, the greater the value of the financial returns from the real estate investments made.
If you look up, you will see that loft conversions can be found in family homes all over Twickenham. This is because the structure of the houses in the area allow for it.
What type of loft conversion would best suit your house in Twickenham?
Renovating your attic is a delicate operation and you should ask yourself the following questions:
Some projects are better suited to specific types of homes. Your choice will also depend on your willingness to submit a full planning application (we’ll discuss later in the article) or go with a simpler option.
Below are various types of loft conversion you can choose depending on the structure of your house - and your taste.
A dormer loft extension
This is a very well-liked and economical choice. The idea is to build a structural addition that protrudes from an existing roof and frequently resembles a chic box that is fastened to the top of your property.
This option is popular with homeowners because it significantly increases headroom, enables the installation of conventional windows, and is typically less expensive than alternative loft expansions.
Hip-to-gable conversion
This type of conversion, which is preferred by homeowners in end terraces, semi-detached, and detached homes, will change an existing “hipped” roof into a gable roof. By straightening an inwardly inclined end roof, a vertical wall is created.
You can choose to combine this project with a dormer for the most room, but doing so will probably cost you more than £100,000.
Mansards
A mansard can be the solution if you want to keep your home's appearance in a more classic style. A level roof and an outside wall that slopes inward at around 72 degrees are often made by increasing the party wall, which is the wall shared with a neighbour.
Mansard extensions are frequently preferred by councils because they can help preserve a building's identity.
A skylight conversion with balcony
There are times when keeping things simple is best, and this option is certainly simple. A skylight conversion, often referred to as a "room in loft" or "Velux" conversion, entails maintaining the existing room's structural integrity while upgrading its walls, windows, flooring, and insulation.
This conversion is the most cost-effective, but it does require that you have at least 2.1 metres of headroom available.
What is the price of a loft conversion in Twickenham?
Now that you know the type of loft conversion you want, it's time to talk about costs. There are no official figures available, but loft conversions in Twickenham typically cost between £30,000 and £50,000.
This is determined by the size and complexity of the job; larger and more complicated jobs take longer and cost more. The costs are not fixed and must be discussed with your conversion specialist. Please see our dedicated article on this subject here.
How can you obtain planning approval in Twickenham for your loft conversion?
The majority of the time, a loft conversion requires "Planning Permission", also known as "Developmental Approval". Every building on land or alteration to the use of land requires consent from the local planning authority as of the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act.
The "Planning Portal" website contains more details regarding the regulations governing loft conversions. Additionally, you can learn more in this post about the subject.
Finding your local planning authority in Twickenham is not too difficult. Each Borough in Twickenham has its own Local Planning Authority with a dedicated website containing information, contact details, and the necessary paperwork. To access the unique gateway for your neighbourhood, visit the Mayor of Twickenham’s website.
What kind of planning permit do I require?
Conveniently, velux and dormer loft conversions can normally be undertaken via your permitted development rights. Mansard loft conversions and hip-to-gable loft conversions, on the other hand, need a complete planning application due to the scope of the work and the whole reconstruction of the roof. This is something to think about when deciding on the sort of loft conversion you want to embark on.
How do you find a professional for a loft conversion in Twickenham?
Once you've decided what you want, the first step is to find a loft conversion specialist to help you plan and carry out the work.
Online directories and marketplaces like Bark or Houzz can help you find local loft conversion specialists. In the search bar, type 'loft conversion,' enter your postcode, and let the list of suitable businesses guide you to your preferred provider.
At Resi, we have completed 1,027 loft conversions in the UK since we started back in 2016. If you’d like to talk to one of our team about your project, book a free consultation call here.
