Will it boost the value of my property?
This kind of project, says Parrott, could add around £150,000 to the value of a property in Oxford, making it a sensible investment. “Unlike ground-up extensions, loft conversions often offer a more cost-effective option, repurposing existing space rather than involving new structural elements,” he says.
Parrott’s only words of caution to owners of smaller homes looking at extending into the loft is not to forget about storage space – few buyers will want a four-bedroom house with not enough space for their family possessions so think about built-in cabinetry wherever you can.
How long will it take?
Around five months.
Stress levels
Medium. Work will be contained to just the upper floor, leaving your living space reasonably unaffected, although there will be noise to contend with.
Should I go for it?
If your house is small – think two bedrooms and a box room – then Peett thinks the answer is yes. Not only will it give you extra space, but will widen your pool of potential buyers when you can to sell.
“If there is potential to do a decent attic conversion consisting of a bedroom and bathroom in a two bedroom house, it is fairly safe to say that this will increase the value of a house far more than the cost of the work as it then converts a first time buyers’ home into a potential family home,” she says.
“Having a second bathroom really helps the desirability of a property as a family home as well as the value.”
At the seaside a loft conversion can pay particular dividends, said Charlie Hambly, of John Bray Estates in Cornwall. “A property near the coast may not have views of the estuary or sea on the ground floor,” he says.
“Pushing higher into the roof space could unlock a totally new aspect which could achieve a premium when it comes to selling.”
When would it be a bad idea?
An unbalanced home – one with loads of bedrooms but a small garden and not much living space – might work fine for you but will not appeal to many future buyers. And with house prices looking flat, if you plan to move on within the next couple of years anyway you might not recoup your money.
Should you build a garden room?
With living space at a premium many homeowners are looking beyond the back door for space to create a home office, kids’ playroom, or gym.
How much will it cost?
Around £50,000 says Parrott.
Will it boost the value of my property?
“It would be very difficult to see a tangible short-term gain,” says Parrott. “Certainly, no-one builds garden offices to add value.”
How long will it take?
Much depends on whether you pick an off-the-peg pod, which can be put up in days (excluding foundation work). Building from scratch would take around two months, says Ridley.
Stress levels
Low. If you have direct access to the back garden then you should barely notice your builders, and you can close the doors and forget about the chaos.
Should I go for it?
If you really need the extra space, for example as a place to work from home, to the extent that your other option is moving house, then there’s a definite financial argument in favour of a home office when compared to the cost and inconvenience of renting a desk outside the home or even moving.
If you yearn for a yoga room then you’ve got to see it more as a lovely little luxury than a practical investment.
When would it be a bad idea?
If you have a modest-sized city garden then losing precious space could turn off future buyers, particularly if it is a family home. If you possess a great big country garden or a long, skinny, badly proportioned city garden then it would fit in well as an extra amenity.
“Garden rooms work particularly well for long and narrow properties that aren’t especially well oriented in terms of light, and they can add interest to the shape of a garden,” says Fuller.