Will a Dormer Conversion Add Value to My Property?

If you are looking to add some extra space to your home, you may have found yourself looking into the benefits of a loft conversion. If you are unable to build out sideways to create that extra room in your property, why not build upwards? Today, more and more British homeowners are choosing to opt for a loft conversion; living in a crowded urban area often means that building outwards is unlikely to get planning permission or is simply impractical. Instead, people are choosing to revamp their once-neglected attics.

Today, we are here to tell you all about the benefits of a loft conversion – or, more specifically, a dormer loft conversion. Not only does a dormer conversion provide the desired extra space in your home, but it can also add value to your property and is far easier and cheaper than uprooting sticks and moving to a larger house.

What is a dormer conversion?

A dormer loft conversion is an extension to the existing roof of a property that projects vertically from a sloping roof, creating extra floor space and headroom. A dormer conversion is the most common type of loft conversion as, typically, dormers provide the maximum amount of extra space. Internally, a dormer has a horizontal ceiling and vertical walls, making it the ideal space for a study, a bedroom or playroom.

There are a few different types of dormer conversions, with the most popular type being the flat roof dormer. A flat roof dormer is the cheapest form of dormer to build, meaning that many homeowners can reap the benefits of additional internal space without having to fork out on an expensive extension.

Other types of dormer conversions include the shed dormer and the gable fronted dormer. A shed dormer features a flat roof that slopes down at an angle shallower than the main roof; a gable fronted dormer, or a ‘dog-house dormer’, is a dormer with a roof that has two pitched sides like a classic dog house.

Will a dormer loft room add value to my property?

When it comes to adding value to your property, a loft conversion is often cited in surveys as the best way to add value to your home. In fact, research carried out by Nationwide Building Society states that adding a bathroom or bedroom to your home through a loft conversion can add over 20% to a property’s value; that’s a lot of extra money to cash in on when you come to sell up in the future. Investing in a dormer loft room means that you are increasing the actual living space of your home by a quarter, sometimes more; the extra space will make your property far more appealing to potential homebuyers.

There is no other form of home improvement that costs so comparatively little yet adds so much value to your property; this includes a kitchen remodel, ground floor extension, interior fit-out and a conservatory. The majority of standard home extensions require planning permission. This is not the case, however, with loft conversions – many loft conversions do not need to seek granted planning permission.

The benefits of investing in a dormer loft conversion

If the added value to your property provided by a dormer loft conversion isn’t tempting enough, there are many other benefits to be enjoyed. Below we take a look at just a few of these.

Additional space

Let’s be honest; living in a small house can be difficult, particularly if you have a lot of things. Perhaps your family is growing or you need some extra storage space. Maybe you would like somewhere for guests to stay, or you simply want an additional area to relax in and enjoy. A dormer loft conversion is an ideal way to add extra living space to your home without breaking the bank.

As you are building upwards rather than outwards, a loft conversion does not use up your home’s precious outside space, as extensions can. You are essentially using ‘dead’ space to create a whole new room in your house.

Natural light

A dormer conversion will provide the top of your property with much needed ventilation and light. In fact, dormer windows let in much more light than other windows in your home as they are less likely to be blocked by trees or houses on the street. When you look out of the windows of your home, you may find yourself looking out onto other houses in the street which, let’s be honest, isn’t the best view possible. Converting your loft means that you can let the maximum amount of light and sunshine into the top room due to the positioning and angle of the windows.

Avoid the cost of moving

Every year, the cost of moving house increases. It’s not just the new property costs, solicitor fees and stamp duty that is constantly on the rise; it is also the actual cost of packing up your entire life and moving to a new location. If you are considering moving house because you need some extra space, a loft conversion can be an ideal way to avoid this.

One of the biggest benefits of a dormer loft conversion is that you can stay in the same property while reaping the benefits of additional living space. Moving house can be a very stressful experience – packing up everything, finding a new property and selling your old home is challenging enough, let alone finding a new job or adding to your commute, settling children into a new home and moving away from friends and family. A loft conversion is easier, cheaper and far more convenient than relocating; plus, you have the benefit of feeling like you’re in a new home while staying in your old one.

How much is the average cost of a loft conversion?

The cost of a loft conversion depends on what type of conversion you go for, how suitable the space is to convert and whether you need planning permission or not. For a standard dormer loft conversion you are typically looking at around £31,000-£58,000. For L-shaped dormers (this is where an extension is added to the rear of the dormer), the average cost if £40,000-£60,000. When you tally these costs up with the cost of an extension, a full house renovation or moving property, a loft conversion is the most cost-effective home improvement option to create additional space and add value to your property.

Abbey Partnership: the leading loft conversion company in North London

At Abbey Partnership, we have been servicing the loft conversion requirements of homes and businesses throughout London, Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire for over 16 years. During this time, we have completed over 600 loft conversions; our highly trained and experienced team are equipped with the expertise and skills to enhance your living space while adding value to your home.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and reputation; each project that we complete is always on time and within budget, and comes with a 10-year warranty for your extra peace of mind. To discuss your dormer loft conversion ideas or more details on our loft extension services, do not hesitate to get in touch with us today on 0330 108 8840. Our friendly team are more than happy to advise you and provide recommendations to ensure that you maximise every inch of available space in your loft within your budget.

For more information, simply visit our website today to browse our latest projects or get started right away with a no-obligation free quote.