HOME EXTENSION SPECIALISTS Sawbridgeworth
Property Extensions Sawbridgeworth, CM21
Offering affordable home extension solutions in Sawbridgeworth
All works covered by a 10-year guarantee.
About Loft Care
Providing Bespoke Conversion Solutions
HOUSE EXTENSIONS Sawbridgeworth
People choose to extend their property in Sawbridgeworth for a variety of reasons, including:
Increased Space:
As families grow or lifestyles change, the existing space may become insufficient. The additions can accommodate the needs of family members such as extra bedrooms or larger living spaces.
Improved Functionality:
By creating an open-plan layout, a better kitchen, or areas dedicated to specific activities such as playrooms and fitness rooms, extensions can improve the functionality of your home.
Increased Property Value:
Well-planned extensions can increase the value of your property. Extensions in Sawbridgeworth are a good investment because homebuyers look for extra space and modernized layouts.
Avoiding Relocation:
Many homeowners prefer to extend rather than move, as relocating can be stressful, costly, and inconvenient. They can stay in the desired location and improve their living conditions by extending.
Personalised Design:
Extension builds in Sawbridgeworth offer homeowners the opportunity to create spaces that reflect their personal style and meet their specific needs. This can result in customised environments tailored to individual preferences.
Enhanced Lifestyle:
A home extension in Sawbridgeworth can improve the quality of your life by providing more space for family events, entertainment and relaxation. The addition of an extension can change the way a home functions and improve overall enjoyment.
Utilising Unused Space:
The extension can make use of areas that are underutilized, like gardens or basements. This makes it possible for homeowners to maximize their property’s potential.
Extending a home in Sawbridgeworth is often seen as an easy and smart way to adapt to new needs, improve the quality of life, and increase the value of the property without having to move.
Loft Care Design is a specialist in home extension services in Sawbridgeworth that enhance your living area. Our offerings include both single storey and double storey extensions in Sawbridgeworth, as well as expert planning advice to help you explore the possibilities and potential for your home.
Single Storey Extensions Sawbridgeworth
A single-storey addition is an extension of a one-story structure (such as a bungalow or house) that has only one floor. A single-storey addition adds only one additional floor. This is different from multi-storey extensions that add more than one level. This type of extension is often used to expand living areas, such as adding a larger kitchen, a dining room, or a living room, and it is typically built at ground level.
Key characteristics of a single-storey extension in Sawbridgeworth include:
Expansion of floor space on the same level as the original building.
Often used for functional purposes like expanding kitchens, bathrooms, or creating new rooms (like a home office or playroom).
Can be attached to the side, rear, or front of the existing building.
May involve changes to the roof, windows, and access points.
They are more affordable and faster to build than multi-storey extensions in Sawbridgeworth.
Double Storey Extensions Sawbridgeworth
A double-storey extension in Sawbridgeworth is a type of building extension that adds two levels or floors to an existing structure. This type of extension can increase both the ground- floor and upper-floor living space, making it ideal for homeowners looking to expand their home significantly without occupying additional land. A double storey extension in Sawbridgeworth is often built at the side or rear of the house and typically matches the height and Style of the existing building
Key characteristics of a double-storey extension in Sawbridgeworth include:
Two levels of additional space: It adds space both on the ground floor and on the first or second floor, effectively doubling the footprint of the house vertically.
Expands the functionality of a home, creating more bedrooms, bathrooms, or living spaces on both floors.
Maximizes land use: Ideal for properties with limited space, as it builds upwards rather than spreading out horizontally.
Greater complexity and cost compared to a single-storey extension, due to the additional structural work and potential need for reinforced foundations, as well as building codes for multiple levels.
Double-storey extensions in Sawbridgeworth are a popular choice for growing families or those who want to add significant living space without having to move to a larger property.
General Planning Advice
It’s important to know the applicable planning regulations before you start your project. Our general planning advice will help you to navigate the complexity of permits, local laws, and design approvals. Our extension builders in Sawbridgeworth will explore with you what can be done to unlock the potential of your home. We’ll take into account your requirements and the options available to you based on the property.
Loft Care Design is a trusted provider of expert extension design and construction services. We will ensure that your project runs smoothly and professionally from conception to completion. Our tailored extension services in Sawbridgeworth will transform your home and increase your living space.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Local Home extension contractors Near You
RECENT HOME EXTENSION PROJECT NEAR Sawbridgeworth
WHAT IS A PARTY WALL AGREEMENT, AND WILL I NEED ONE?
A party wall is an existing wall or structure shared with an adjoining property, for example, the wall between two terrace houses. As most loft conversions may affect the structure of a party wall you will need to notify all adjoining neighbours. Typical works include:
- Changing the height of a party wall
- Breaking into a wall to insert a structural beam.
- Underpinning a party wall where needed.
The above is covered by the Party Wall Act 1996.
HOW DO I SERVE A PARTY WALL AGREEMENT?
Being neighbourly, it is best practice to inform your neighbours if you are planning to convert your loft space, pre-warning them of a pending planning application from the local authority can avoid unnecessary hick-ups. It would be a wise decision in our opinion to share your plans beforehand.
Next steps – give notice in writing to all owners of when you plan to do it, and how it will impact them. Served at least two months prior to party wall works being undertaken. Your neighbour may agree to work starting earlier but is not obliged to, they have 14 days to respond. Any agreement from other owners must be gained in writing.
If agreement on the work is not reached, an “agreed surveyor” can be appointed to draw up an “award”. This award will typically set out the work to be done, how and when it will be carried out and will include a report on the existing condition of the adjoining property. These costs are typically covered by the owner of the property converting their loft.
WHAT IS BUILDING CONTROL?
The building control office located within a local authority is in place to ensure any building work undertaken conforms to building regulations, this includes, design, construction methods, and approved materials.
Internal loft alterations (even non-structural ones) may affect fire safety, so prudent to contact the local authority.
Planning Services
A full scope of services that are fully transparent is fixed and detailed below. Please note the only fees to consider outside of these are the council’s submission costs.
Drawings to include Certificate of Lawfulness – Prices to be discussed
A certificate of Lawfulness is essentially a means of obtaining a decision from the planning authority that a proposed use or works does not require planning permission and is lawful to be built under permitted development. Our surveyors are qualified to produce Architectural drawings that comply with permitted development. This certificate will be useful when the day comes to potentially sell your property.
Drawings to include a Full Planning Application – Prices to be discussed
You will need to apply for full planning permission if your property does not have permitted development rights or is situated within a conservation area where permitted development doesn’t apply. Loft Care, having obtained a full understanding of local authorities’ guidelines are able to guide you accordingly on your planning journey, ensuring all documentation is evidential on request.
LOFT CONVERSION
Loft Care can provide a complete design and planning service package, ensuring you maximize your loft space at your property, whilst working to a budget and taking into consideration the latest building regulations and strict planning guidelines from your local authority.
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PROCESS
If you are considering getting a loft conversion constructed at your property, and are interested in finding out the process, let us take you through step-by-step as to what the typical loft conversion schedule looks like, so you can get an insight as to what to expect.
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DESIGN & PLANNING
Depending on which tailored service you decide to use our architects and structural surveyors will attend your property to complete a full site survey for building regulation drawings that you will require to fully understand the layout and potential your property has.
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CONSIDERATIONS
Your existing roof is designed to keep out the elements and is used for internal storage. Following a loft conversion, your roof will have to cope with significant loadings, for example, new RSJ supports, a new floor structure, and some form of Dormer or Hip to Gable conversion style. Roofs can generally be divided into two types.
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FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How high does my loft area need to be for a conversion?
A loft conversion requires there to be approximately at least 2.2 meters in height from the top of the floor joists to the bottom of the ridge board. If not, your property might be eligible for several different types of loft conversion. Depending on the property’s structure, we could lower your existing ceiling joists to enable sufficient height required to construct a loft conversion.
2. Do I need planning permission for my loft conversion?
Planning laws changed in 2008, meaning most loft conversions could be possible without the need for planning permission thus making the process a lot simpler for many homeowners.
This law change means that homeowners can extend their roof space by adding a dormer or hip-to-gable conversion by 50 cubic meters for a detached or semi-detached property and by 40 meters for a terraced house. This is called the permitted development allowance. However, there are several exceptions to the permitted development allowance rule, namely, flats and maisonettes will always need planning permission. If the property is located or listed within a conservation area, or if the roof height is being increased then these will require full planning permission and meet the policy design guidelines of your local council.
3. What is building control?
The building control office located within a local authority is in place to ensure any building work undertaken conforms to building regulations, this includes, design, construction methods, and approved materials.
Internal loft alterations (even non-structural ones) may affect fire safety, so prudent to contact the local authority.
4. If we are required to submit a full planning application, how long will it take for a decision?
Normally the council will advise of their decision within eight weeks.
5. What if my neighbours object?
6. What is a party wall agreement, and will I need one?
A party wall is an existing wall or structure shared with an adjoining property, for example, the wall between two terrace houses. As most loft conversions may affect the structure of a party wall you will need to notify all adjoining neighbours. Typical works:
- Changing the height of a party wall.
- Breaking into a wall to insert a structural beam.
- Underpinning a party wall where needed.
The above is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
7. What is a party wall agreement, and will I need one?
A party wall is an existing wall or structure shared with an adjoining property, for example, the wall between two terrace houses. As most loft conversions may affect the structure of a party wall you will need to notify all adjoining neighbours. Typical works:
- Changing the height of a party wall.
- Breaking into a wall to insert a structural beam.
- Underpinning a party wall where needed.
The above is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
8. How do I serve a party wall agreement?
Next steps - give notice in writing to all owners of when you plan to do it, and how it will impact them. Served at least two months before the work on the party wall is due to start. Your neighbour may agree to work starting earlier but is not obliged to, they have 14 days to respond. Any agreement from other owners must be gained in writing.
If agreement on the work is not reached, an "agreed surveyor" can be appointed to draw up an "award". This award will typically set out the work to be done, how and when it will be carried out, and will include a report on the existing condition of the adjoining property. These costs are typically covered by the owner of the property converting their loft.
9. Is there disruption when constructing a loft conversion?
Throughout any building works there will always be some sort of disruption. With the process of converting a loft, most of these works (85/90%) are carried out in the loft area, therefore minimizing the risk of disorder. The only time you will potentially experience any disruption will be when the team breakthrough your existing ceiling for the new staircase to service the new loft area, this will be no longer than 2 days.
10. Health and Safety & Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
At Loft Care, we are continuously committed to ensuring the health & safety along with the welfare of our employees, contractors, clients, and the public. We are fully aware of our legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Separately, we ensure the implementation of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) in the domestic construction sector, guaranteeing these duties are passed on to the contractor.
CONTACT US
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Loughton
Essex
IG10 1PF
Phone
0800 002 9411
info@loftcare.co.uk
