A loft or garage conversion is a very cost effective way of adding extra living space and value to your home. Smiley Building Services specialise in loft and garage conversions and has found that clients who invest in their property in this way have increased the value of their homes significantly.
It is not normally necessary to gain planning permission to convert your existing garage into extra living accommodation. The additional living space a garage can provide should not be underestimated. Smiley Building Services are specialist in this field and can advise you on layout and style.
There are several ways to convert your roof space, some styles may need planning permission but this is not always the case. Some conversions require the installation of dormer windows, ‘a window that projects vertically from a sloping roof’ or some can be achieved by the installation of ‘Velux’ roof lights. Smiley Building Services will be able to advise you the most appropriate style for your property.
A rear dormer as its name suggests is on the rear of your property. It is a way to provide a lot of extra space and headroom. Most properties can be converted in this way. This type of conversion will provide greater flexibility for the use of the space provided. Rear Dormers do not always require planning permission.
Similar to the Rear Dormer, they are generally smaller and will be designed to blend with your property.
This style of loft conversion changes the hipped side ‘the sloping side’ of your property to a flat gable end. This will provide a larger loft room and can create room for the stairs. Planning permission is required for this type of conversion.
A mansard conversion is This is another construction to the rear of your property which has a flat roof, however, the back wall slopes inwards at an angle of 72 degrees and windows are housed in small dormers. Normally constructed where planning permission is required or your property falls into a conservation area.
This is the most straightforward type of conversion where there is no alteration to the existing roof line and your new room is achieved by converting the available space in the loft.
It’s not always necessary to obtain planning permission for your loft conversion, Smiley Building Services can guide and support you through the whole process. Some rules regarding planning permissions have been relaxed by Government so now some conversions will come under ‘Permitted Development’. The latest information regarding planning permission is available here:
If you share a wall with your neighbour, it is more than likely that it is a party wall and as such you must inform them of any work that you will be undertaking that will affect the party wall. It is always a good idea to speak to your neighbours about your The latest information regarding party walls is available here
The size of your loft and the complexity of the conversion will obviously affect the cost of the project. As a very rough guide these costs are normally between £17,000 and £50,000
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Smiley Building Services are endorsed by “Trustmark”, who are the only UK Government
Endorsed Quality building Scheme for work carried out around your home.
Several motivations fuel TrustMark's mission, chiefly to assist homeowners with
implementing energy-saving upgrades in their dwellings and to bolster the level of
confidence they possess while engaging in such undertakings. It is imperative to possess a
well-defined vision of your intended home improvements, acquaint yourself with the
potential expenses and expected duration of projects. Bear in mind that proficient
professionals are typically sought after, hence there could be a necessity to be patient in
order to secure the services of the ideal tradesperson for your task.
Smiley Building Services are a full member of Federation of Master Builders, who vet all
members as reputable, and certify them as dependable local tradesmen.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) stands as the most prominent trade association for
the UK's construction sector, dedicated to representing the interests of small to midsize
construction businesses. Its mission is to serve as the definitive directory of reputable,
certified, and dependable local craftspeople.
To be part of the FMB, individual contractors and construction enterprises of small to
medium scale in the UK must have a business history of at least one year. The FMB isn't
exclusive to SME builders alone; if your activities intersect with the SME builder industry
and you uphold the FMB's commitment to excellence and industry standards, you may be
eligible for FMB associateship. For further information, consider reviewing the criteria for
becoming an Associate member.
The FMB separates itself from similar entities by requiring a membership that's not just
handed out; it's awarded based on merit. Applicants are subject to a rigorous screening and an
unbiased review of their work to ensure standards are met. This meticulous vetting is integral
to providing clients with the assurance that they are engaging with a business that upholds
quality and excellence in its services.
