Loft Conversion Information For UK HomeownersAnyone looking for loft conversion information has come to the right place. On this site there is advice and info on all aspects of building a loft conversion but there is also another resource that the homeowner should make full use of. Their local council. Making a building regulations application not only keeps the householder on the right side of the law it brings him into contact with the council’s Building Control Service (BSC). The council’s BSC have to approve your plans before any work is done on your loft conversion. Don’t look at this as interference – they do this to ensure that your plans comply with the law and are safe. If they make any recommendations for change you can be assured they will benefit your project. A fee is payable when a building regulations application is made but that fee is returned many times with the loft conversion information and help you receive from the council’s building inspectors. Once your plans are approved and work begins the council’s building inspectors will make regular visits to ensure the work being carried out by your builders is of a high standard and according to your submitted plans. Again, don’t see this as interference but a valuable source of loft conversion information. Visits by your council’s building inspector is a tremendous safeguard and an added insurance for the homeowner that their builder is doing a good job. The value of this is immeasurable and will bring the homeowner great peace of mind. Every now and again a horror story appears in the media or on TV about a loft conversion which has gone horribly wrong and cost the householder thousands of pounds. Any sympathy for the householders in these situations should be tempered because, almost every time, they did not get the correct, or indeed any, building regulations approval. If they had – their building inspector would have ensured the work was completed properly. Trying to short-cut the system by using a builder who is not bothered about getting approval from the council’s BCS is a massive risk. Don’t be tempted. Use you council. Ring them and make use of them. They are a great and usually untapped source of loft conversion information. And, if you really don’t want to work with the council then you can appoint an approved inspector who will fulfill the same functions as the building inspector from the local authority. You can find more details on using an approved inspector by clicking here. Click here to go to our exclusive loft conversions guide Click here for our guide to loft conversion prices Click here for more information on the building regulations
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