TIM’S BUDGET-SAVING TIPS

HOW TO REDUCE LOFT CONVERSION COSTS

If your budget is tight, you should start by considering whether your space requirements can be achieved with a simple rooflight conversion, this being the most cost-effective type.

Raising a roof can also significantly increase costs. So if you have enough standing area in your loft to create habitable space, you may be able to save money by limiting any extension ambitions and allowing your loft conversion contractor to work within your loft’s current dimensions.

If you are more confident with DIY and/or project management, then you may wish to consider a ‘shell loft conversion’. This is where structural works, ie, dormer, roof timbers and floor joists, are completed by a builder, leaving an empty shell for other individual trades to be employed directly, or allowing for DIY works to commence.

Adding windows can seem like a necessity, but you may want to consider using more cost-effective solutions to bring in more natural light, such as sun tubes, which are significantly less expensive than dormer windows.

Keeping a tight rein on your budget for finishes can dramatically cut the cost of your loft conversion as well. Bathroom appliances and finishes, for example, often vary hugely in price and can add several thousands of pounds to your project.

It’s essential to shop around, as the same look and quality can usually be achieved at a fraction of the price. Take advantage of seasonal sales, and remember that it’s much easier to upgrade your décor in the future when budget allows, than it is to change any fixed aspects of the conversion.