21-HAYNES Home Extension Manual News 220508

Subscribe to newsletter

Editor's Note: HAYNES provide:-

Home Extension Manual
Eco House Manual
Garden Building Manual
Victorian House Manual
1930s House Manual

Request Information

Home
Include Article
Advertise

Links
Request Information
Terms of use
Contact

Request Facilities / Interiors product information

Request Architectural product information A-J

Request Architectural product information K-Z

Request Mechanical HVAC product information

Request Electrical product information

MOVING UP IN THE WORLD WITH HAYNES

Forget the hassle and expense of moving house - Converting your loft is the best way to add space and value to your home

Consistently voted the number one home improvement project, loft conversions make a lot of sense. They use otherwise wasted space, create extra living accommodation and can boost your home's value by over 20% according to the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). Nevertheless, converting a loft into one or two new rooms can be complex. You could leave it to a builder - but can
they really be trusted to get it 100% right? Or you could do it yourself - but where do you start?

You need expert advice and it comes in the new Haynes Loft Conversion Manual costing just £19.99 (RRP). Written in plain English by Ian Rock, an experienced chartered surveyor, this new manual guides you through the whole loft conversion process step-by-step. The book is easy to read and features hundreds of colour photos showing real conversion projects in progress, backed up with useful colour illustrations.

The book starts with a series of essential questions that all aspiring loft converters need to ask. For example: 'is it practical?', 'will you get your money back?', and 'how much should you do yourself?'

Next, the author explores the key subject of how to design the best possible conversion for your property and steer your project through Planning, whilst ensuring it complies with the Building Regulations. Importantly, he offers advice to help you avoid 'cowboy' builders.

The manual takes you through each stage of the conversion through to retention, snagging and the defects liability period. It is packed with practical advice both for those readers doing it themselves and those employing professionals. The information is presented in the straightforward style familiar to Haynes manuals - for cars, motorbikes, washing machines, babies and many other subjects. This style has resulted in worldwide sales of manuals exceeding a remarkable 150 million.

Spending £19.99 on this new manual could save you thousands of pounds by ensuring your loft is professionally converted - and preventing the stress of building works unnecessarily intruding into your private life - Don't start work without it!

Other titles in the Haynes home improvement series include: the Home Extension Manual, the Eco House Manual, the Garden Building Manual, Victorian House and the 1930s House Manual

IAN ROCKS TIPS & TRAPS FOR LOFT CONVERTERS

DO's
1. Always check whether you actually need planning permission, as it may not be required. Many loft conversions are classed as 'permitted development'.

2. Unless you live in a detached house, by law you must comply with the Party Wall Act. This means having to formally notify your neighbours at least 2 months in advance of any works to the wall that separates you from them. Unless they agree, you may have to appoint a surveyor to draw up an agreement.

3. When comparing quotes from loft conversion firms, be sure that you're actually comparing like with like. Different firms may or may not include things like decoration, supply of sanitary fittings, VAT and the fees for structural engineers' calculations, planning and building regulations applications. Make
sure your contractor confirms that all their work will fully comply with planning and building regulations.

4. The works should be programmed to minimise intrusion into family life. Ideally, access to the loft for all the major jobs should be external, via scaffolding, leaving the fitting of the new loft stairs as late as possible to reduce disturbance.

5. Be aware that complying with new fire regulations usually means having to replace most of your existing internal doors throughout the house with new fire doors. If your main reception area is open-plan, you may be required to construct a partition wall to create a fire-resistant hallway.

6. Be sure to obtain your Building Regulations completion certificate before making the final payment to the contractor.

DON'Ts

1. Don't be shy of asking your Local Authority Building Control Officer for their technical opinion. They have good local knowledge of potentially complex matters such as complying with fire regulations and provision of loft stairs.

2. Don't underestimate the extent of the finishing works. Complying with Part L of the Building Regs - thermal insulation - is now a major part of the project.

3. Don't be overly optimistic when budgeting. Making unrealistic budget assumptions at the outset is the most common reason for projects coming in over budget.

4. Don't just pick any builder from Yellow Pages. Try to get a builder via recommendation, check their previous loft conversion projects and talk to former clients.

5. Once you've accepted a quote or tender, don't change your mind about the design!Some builders make nearly half their profits charging for expensive 'extras'.

The new Haynes Loft Conversion Manual by Ian Alistair Rock is priced at £19.99 from all good bookshops from 21 May 2008

Email: Rebecca@eventspr.co.uk