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MAXIMISE YOUR HOME'S FOOTPRINT WITHOUT IMPACTING THE GARDEN BY CONVERTING UNUSED ROOF SPACE INTO A PRACTICAL ROOM

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Extending your home can be a costly affair both monetarily and in terms of space. The average 30 square metre home extension will cost around £66,000 and can eat up a significant portion of your garden. A loft extension can add space at a fraction of the cost and with significantly less disturbance.

SUITABILITY

The first step in planning a loft conversion is to assess whether your space is viable. 'Most properties will be suitable for a loft conversion as long as the loft measures 2.3m at the highest point. Other features that will help you decide whether your loft space is suitable are the pitch of the roof, the type of structure, and obstacles, such as water tanks or chimney stacks,' explains John Allen, managing director at Econoloft.

COSTING UP

In order to determine whether a new addition is good value, you must think of both the outlay and the return on your investment. 'A well designed loft conversion can add more value for money per square metre than any other extension project, adding around from 20-30% to the value of a home,' reveals John Allen. According to the experts at Checkatrade, a basic Velux loft conversion has an average cost of £27,500, while the popular dormer design is close to £45,000.

ADDING A BATHROOM