Loft Conversions in Daventry, Planned and Finished Properly

Often not. Many loft conversions are permitted development: up to 40 cubic metres of extra roof space on a terraced house and up to 50 on a detached or semi-detached one, as long as nothing projects beyond the roof slope facing the road, the materials look like the existing house and any side windows are obscure-glazed and fixed shut below 1.7 metres. Flats, listed buildings and houses in a conservation area, such as the centre of Daventry, need planning permission. West Northamptonshire Council is the planning authority, and its lawful development certificate confirms a design is permitted development before work starts.

Yes, every one does, even when planning permission is not needed. Building regulations cover the strength of the new floor and roof, a safe way out in a fire, the staircase, insulation and ventilation. A building control inspector checks the work in stages and issues a completion certificate at the end, which buyers’ solicitors ask for when the house is sold.

Measure from the top of a ceiling joist to the underside of the ridge at the highest point. About 2.2 metres is the usual starting point for a conversion inside the existing roof. Less than that does not rule a loft out, because a dormer, hip-to-gable or mansard adds height. The pitch and whether the roof is built with traditional rafters or trusses also matter, so it is worth having the roof looked at before drawings are made.

It depends on the shape of the roof and how much room you want. A rooflight conversion keeps the roof as it is and suits lofts that are already tall. A rear dormer adds full-height floor space and is the most common type. Hip-to-gable suits houses with a sloping side roof, usually with a dormer at the back as well. A mansard gives the most space but usually needs planning permission.

If the house is semi-detached or terraced and the work involves the shared wall, for example setting steel beams into it or building it up for a hip-to-gable, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies. Notice has to be served on the neighbours at least two months before that work starts. If they agree in writing, nothing more is needed; if they dissent or do not reply within 14 days, a party wall surveyor draws up an award.

Usually, yes. Adding a floor to a two-storey house means building regulations ask for a protected way down through the house, which normally means fire-resisting doors on the rooms that open onto the stairs, from the ground floor up, and mains-powered smoke alarms linked together on every level.

Usually not, provided the work is internal and the building is not made bigger. The exception is where permitted development rights were removed by a condition when the house was built, which is common on newer estates, so check the property’s planning history with West Northamptonshire Council first. Building regulations approval is needed for the new wall, window, floor, insulation and fire safety.