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Home extension vs loft conversion: The battle of the spaces

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Mika, Staff Writer

Friday, 28 May 2021

If you are craving extra space in your home, you may be thinking about a home extension or loft conversion. However, it isn’t always easy to know which type of extension is best for your individual circumstances.

The choice between a home extension and loft conversion will be down to the type of space that you require, how practical each option is in your home, the value that it’ll add to your property and the cost of the development. You’ll need to weigh up each factor carefully before making your decision.

Here are a few things that you should consider before you choose between a home extension and a loft conversion.

Purpose and requirements

First of all, you’ll need to think about what you’re hoping to achieve with your home improvements. If you’re looking to add an extra bedroom to your property, a loft conversion could be ideal. However, if you’re looking for extra living space, a loft conversion is probably not the right choice for your home.

A side extension can add valuable extra living space to your home, such as a kitchen extension, a playroom or an office. You can also opt for a double-storey side extension if extra bedrooms are also on your radar.

Understanding exactly what you’re trying to achieve will help you to establish the right type of home improvement for your circumstances.

Practicality

You’ll also need to think about the practical aspects of your development. If you’re thinking about a loft conversion, you’ll need to consider whether your roof is high enough and where the stairs will be located.

For a home extension, you’ll need to think about where the extension will be located and whether your garden is large enough. It’s important to remember that the size of your garden will be reduced for an extension, so you’ll need to carefully consider whether this is a sacrifice you’re willing to make.

Value

Next, consider which option will add more long-term value to your property. This is particularly important if you plan to move out of your home in the future.

As a general rule, a two-storey extension will typically add more value to your home than a loft conversion as you will gain both extra living space and bedrooms. However, if you would be losing a large proportion of your garden for the extension, you may find that it actually reduces the value of your home and could make it more difficult to sell in the future.

Cost

Finally, you’ll need to weigh up the costs of both a loft conversion and an extension. A side extension will usually be more expensive than a loft conversion as it involves more building work, such as foundations and a roof.

However, if your loft conversion will mean altering the height of your roof and changing the structure of your home to make way for stairs, you may find that a loft conversion actually becomes more costly than a straightforward side extension, so it’s worth carefully considering both options before making your decision.

Hire an Extension Specialist on Bark

If you’re thinking about extending your home, it’s best to get expert advice about your options. An Extension Specialist can talk you through the various options available and help you to make an informed decision on the best way forward.

If you’re ready to get started with planning your home extension, you can hire an Extension Specialist on Bark.

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