Loftshop helps householders generate extra value from their lofts

Top Building Societies have found that Loft Conversions can add more than 20% to the value of a home if it combines an extra bedroom and a bathroom and The Loft Shop, specialist in products for lofts and loft conversions, is helping homeowners along the way with its recent fully updated 32 page guide to using the loft, which also incorporates changes to the Building Regulations.

According to a recent report by the Halifax valuers and Nationwide Building Society a loft conversion can be the most lucrative alteration that homeowners can make. Converting 300 square feet of loft space into an en suite bedroom can add more than 20% to the value of a property. In terms of value for money, Halifax say, this can add as much as ten out of ten (a new kitchen was next at eight out of ten) as long as the conversion has been correctly managed and the property is situated in the right area such as London, that is, where land and property prices are at a premium. A house in the best neighbourhood can command a price more than a third higher than a similar house in an average area.

Bearing in mind that the report also states that a loft conversion done badly can detract from the value of a property The Loft Shop’s new guide to Loft Conversions entitled Lofts Explained has got to be a winner. Peter Stedman, The Loft Shop’s Managing Director said: “Potential space of up to a third is locked away in peoples lofts. Moving house can be a difficult and expensive exercise but these new reports have shown that moving up and not out can be a cost effective exercise increasing the value of a property whilst at the same time avoiding a costly move. The Loft Shop’s Lofts Explained provides essential information on planning, designing costing and building whether you want a full conversion or just want to make the best use of space in the loft for storage purposes.”

The new Lofts Explained which covers all aspects of making use of the space in the loft with topics covering Finance, Construction and “Some Do’s and Don’ts” amongst others now includes a revised guide to the general issues surrounding preparing for a loft conversion. It also contains detailed information about Planning Applications and Building Control issues as well as an easy to understand flow chart for an application for planning permission, if necessary. Details of relevant organisations that can provide advice and information are included at the back along with the very useful glossary of building terms which has also been revised and updated and is designed to ease any confusion over technical terms.

So, if you want to improve the value of your home by increasing the space available look no further than The Loft Shop’s updated version of Loft’s Explained and start at the top - convert the loft. All the products necessary can be found in any one of the company’s 24 Loft Shops or on the Internet at www.loftshop.co.uk. The Loft Shop also has a new scheme called Loft Shop Partners, which can be found on the Internet and details lists of builders able to carry out work in the loft.

One complimentary copy of “Loft’s Explained”, is available free from any Loft Shop, from the company’s Head Office on the number below or can be downloaded from the website.

Click here for more information on lofts.