Struggling to decide whether to add an extension to your house or to convert your loft into a new room? Tired of weighing up the positives and negatives of each and getting no closer to a decision? Take a look at this short article, where we outline the most important points that you need to consider when deciding how to improve your home. 

Value – Which option will add the most long-term value?

Generally speaking, a loft conversion is going to be a lot cheaper and quicker to complete then an extension project, but that doesn’t always mean that it’s going to add the most value to your property in the long term. 

According to Nationwide Building Society, adding a double bedroom and a bathroom in the loft can add more than 20 per cent to the value of a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house. It creates a brand new space without having to secure planning permission to build an extension, which often means it is a lot less hassle (and money) to complete!

An extension, on the other hand, can cost considerably more to carry out and certain planning permissions need to be granted before work can start. What’s more, there is a need for extra space around your house so that there is somewhere to build on. 

If completed to a high standard however, it has the potential to vastly increase the value of your home, as well as provide a chance to reconfigure how you use your living space. Roof lights and bi-fold doors can bring in more natural light to your downstairs dwellings, and create a lovely living or dining area. 

Purpose – Extra Bedrooms or Living Space?

A loft conversation is a great way to add another bedroom area to your property. It can provide a large, private area with options for an en-suite or balcony. Furthermore, the right loft boarding can ensure that heat is retained in your property much more effectively than with insulation alone. Instaloft provides a great loft boarding service and provides expert information on loft boarding your home. As for any other types of room, a loft may be a bit out of the way for any communal areas to be located there. 

An extension has the flexibility to be made into whatever type of room you desire – living space, a dining room, play area, even a downstairs bathroom. It really gives you the freedom to decide what it is your house is lacking and make space for it. The location of the extension may have an impact on what type of use is suitable, however it’s much less limited than a loft conversion. 

Both options are a great way for homeowners to extract more space from their property, and let their family grow without having to completely uproot and move house. If done right, both can increase your properties value by a good amount and can have a positive impact on quality of life. Whichever you choose we wish you the very best of luck with your builds and hope you love the finished product!