Why have loft conversions become so popular

A.� It is a popular option among people who find themselves pushed for space but for whatever reason don't want to go through the process of moving to a bigger house. You might simply like the house or area too much, get on well with the neighbours or not want to move the kids to a different school.

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A.� That seems to be open to dispute. Some insist it will, especially if it can give your property the edge of others in a sought after area. Most believe, however, that you should get your money back and not much more.

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Bear in mind of course that by avoiding the need to move you are saving all those costs inherent in moving house, stamp duty, search fees, estate agent's commission etc.

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This is presuming you get the job done properly of course. A badly finished or inappropriate extension of any kind can actually devalue your home, especially if it requires work to put it right.

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A.� This will depend to a certain extent on whereabouts in the country you are. London is likely to be more expensive than Liverpool. A basic one-room loft extension, from plans to finishing should cost around �13-21,000.

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There are variables of course, such as the state of the joists and the roof or whether or not is necessary to take part of another room to accommodate it. If your plans are more elaborate you will probably need to employ an architect who will give you an idea of the various options and costs.

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A.� You need to submit plans or building notice applications to your local authority and the finished product will have to be checked by building control officers to make sure it complies with regulations. If your new loft increases the volume of the house by less than 50 cubic metres (or 40 cubic metres for terraced houses), does not face a highway or increase the height of the roof, then you wont need planning permission.

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You will need it, however, if you living in a conservation area, a national park or an area of outstanding natural beauty. Those living in listed buildings will need to get permission from English Heritage.

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A.�� You have three options. You can hire an architect and get him to handle the whole thing from drawing up the plans to picking the builder. This is usually the best option if you have an unusual or unique space or have particular plans but is obviously more expensive.

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For something more simple you can get a structural engineer to draw up the plans and then get a builder to put them in to place, which brings us to the third option, the growing band of specialist loft conversion companies, who handle the whole thing in-house.

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For more local information on architects contact www.architecture.com, for structural engineers www.instructe.org.uk and for builders www.fmb.org.uk.

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