Are You Making The Most Of Your Roof Space ?

Is your home bulging at the seams? Do you yearn for an extra room? Doing a loft conversion is a great way of adding living space as well as putting your personal stamp on your home. It can also add value to your house, if done well.

Converting your roof creates a versatile space which could be almost any room you might wish for – be it bedroom, bathroom, living room, hobby room, home office, playroom or teenagers’ den.

By using dormer windows, French windows or even a Juliet balcony, you can widen the space beyond recognition and also add height to the existing pokey, cobweb-covered storage zone under the eaves. Converting your roof provides a good chance to add much-needed insulation to keep the house warmer and save on fuel bills too.

There are two golden rules with loft conversions. Firstly use a professional builder  and secondly make sure you do the work by the book in terms of getting building regulations approval, planning permission and party wall agreements, if required.

It’s worth taking the plunge – you won’t be disappointed.

Make sure it’s legal

There are an increasing number of illegal loft conversions around and these homeowners may be asked to destroy the work if it doesn’t comply with regulations. So don’t start work without contacting your local planning office for advice, check out the government’s planning portal and make sure you have completed Party Wall agreements too.

Know a great builder?

The FMB is on the search for the best builder in Britain, as the Master Builder of the Year Awards celebrates its 10th year. So, if you have been delighted with your building work, completed since 1st August 2008, then please enter your builder for these awards and give them the recognition they deserve.

Remember it’s not just the builder who wins. The customer from each winning category can enjoy a luxury weekend break and the overall winning customer scoops a wonderful £3,000 holiday!

For an application form, please register at www.fmb.org.uk or call 0207 092 3870.

Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Whether you’re building your home from scratch, undertaking a major extension, or remodelling your home, a visit to The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park in Esher on 26-27 June 2010 should provide you with ideas, advice and inspiration. The Federation of Master Builders will also be on hand at Stand 409 to answer any building queries you may have.
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Sandown Park, Esher on 26-27 June 2010

Looking for loft ideas?

The Essential Guide to Home Improvement is packed with ideas.

Simply download a copy of The Essential Guide to Home Improvement for practical advice as well as inspiring examples of how converting your roof, as well as all sorts of other building work, can help transform your home.

Download the Guide from www.fmb.org.uk/guide.