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Manchester New Builds Guide and Ideas For Homeowners


It is becoming more popular for proud homeowners to get their family home built from scratch or getting a house converted and refurbished into a completely new, modern home. Many more people are choosing to expand their current home with a Manchester building contractor instead of buying a new one or even ditching the buying and moving on to renting.

Not many people think greatly about the actual planning and general building process but instead think about the design and decoration and more often than not bypass the essentials to imagine the end result. While it is all fine and dandy knowing what it is you want from a Manchester building company, there are still some things you need to consider before the actual construction begins.

First of all, a new build home construction or home extension is an investment. This means you will want to make sure that you get the best construction company in Manchester instead of settling for one that offers dirt cheap prices. Trust me; it will save you money in the long run knowing that the qualified Manchester builders you chose got it right the first time.

Secondly, you should keep in mind that not every property in every location is going to be allowed to get an extension. There are certain building regulations and planning permissions that need to be looked over to confirm that your property can facilitate an extra room. It is best that you get in touch with a general construction company to consult them about any building regulation concerns.

A house builder can be ideal for many different types of properties and a range of different families or individuals. Below are some benefits associated with a general contractor in Manchester.

Benefits of A New Build or House Extension in Manchester

A growing family can make great use out of a new build or house extension. The new room can be transformed into a new bedroom for a guest or just as a spare.

It can also be made into a bathroom to avoid any arguments in the mornings.

Even business owners can make use of an extension as a home office space.

Fitness fanatics can even use the space as a small home gym.

New builds or services such as loft construction in Manchester are also an ideal ‘quiet space’ for reading, child playrooms, and entertainment rooms.

On top of the uses, a loft is also economical and an environmentally responsible option over home extensions. House extensions take up more land because it is using space next to your home, however, with loft conversions, they are ideal for reducing carbon footprint as they build on top of what you already have.

Manchester Planning Permissions For House Construction

Planning permission just for a conversion isn’t usually needed when converting a room such as a loft; however it is needed when the roof of your home has to be altered to create more head height. There are rules and regulations that require certain roof height specifications in order to have a safe and habitable loft room. If the roof of your home doesn’t allow for enough space between the attic floor and the attic ceiling, you will need additional construction to expand the head height, which does need planning permission.

These specific permissions can be found at "the enlargement of a dwelling house consisting of an addition or alteration to its roof" as detailed in Schedule 2, Part 1, Class B of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

If the roof and house are all within the compulsory measurements and requirements, then the loft conversion for your home is considered to be permitted development which doesn’t require a planning permission application.

Cost of Manchester Building Contractors Services

The cost of your conversion or extension will vary depending on how simple or extravagant you go. Having a basic conversion service may involve:

  • Adding insulation

  • Reinforcing the floor

  • Adding a staircase

  • Installation of windows and doors

  • Adding flooring, walls and ceiling coverings

  • Installing electrics, lighting, heating (and plumbing if required)

  • Fire doors and smoke alarms, in compliance with Building regulation fire safety measures

The estimated cost for this can start at around £15,000.

More complicated conversion projects such as a dormer loft conversion will cost a bit more starting from £20,000 up to as much as £45,000. A dormer loft involves creating more space by having extra walls built protruding from the home’s roof. The changes aren’t that dramatic but involve more alterations than a standard loft conversion that just requires a simple ceiling extension.

Easy and Simple Loft Conversion Ideas

  1. Soundproof the floors – Nothing is worse than hearing banging from the storey above. To avoid any unnecessary annoyance get the floors soundproofed. This is especially helpful if the loft is being converted into a playroom or home gym.

  2. Make use of lighting – A loft room is often smaller than the other rooms in your home. Make better use of the space by using good lighting, whether it is natural light or artificial, good lighting opens up a space to make it appear bigger.

  3. Include smart storage – Lofts are small so it needs clever storage. Using furniture than also doubles as storage such as built in wardrobes or a seat that doubles as a chest can make more out of the space.

  4. Spiral staircase for tight spaces – homes with less room for an additional staircase to go to a loft can also choose the option of a spiral staircase to save room.

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