A guide of the process of hiring a tradesman to board a loft, including the costs of labour and materials.
Want a safe, clean storage space in your home? Or, are you simply looking for a room-addition to add space to your home? Regardless of the reason you are boarding out a loft space, the project has to be done properly and undertaken by the right professionals.
A jigsaw, work-bench, hammers, and nails, are just a few of the tools you will need to undertake this project. In choosing a tradesperson to carry out this job, there are a few ways which the project can be completed. Depending on the desired use of the space, these are some of the aspects to consider when boarding out a loft space.
Initially, the space has to be measured out, prior to boarding the space. It is important to make sure the space is appropriately measured so as to avoid problems with noise, insulation, seeping, or wind-flow, once the loft conversion is complete.
Once the loft is boarded, depending on the intended use, there are different elements which you might want to incorporate in the space. From surround-sound wiring to adding lighting, it is important to consider all of these aspects when hiring a tradesperson for the job.
Detail the intended use for the loft space. This will allow the tradespeople to include insulation, lighting, windows, and other relevant aspects, in the design and installation process. Once all design elements are completed, they can get to work on implementing, cutting, sawing, and overall design work in the loft space.
As a homeowner, if you plan on renting out the loft space to a tenant, you will need to add certain fixtures. Possibly a bathroom, lighting, windows, and other features, to make the space “livable.” These are some projects you can undertake, or hire a tradesperson to complete.
Conversely, you might use the space for storage. If this is the case, you want to incorporate shelving, drawers, and other storage solutions into the space. When choosing the design for the loft-conversion, make sure you detail these plans.
For some homes, the loft space will simply be implemented to increase the home’s value, if the owners plan on selling it. In such cases, plumbing, wiring, cutting/sawing, and removal of certain portions of the home will also be conducted, when designing/building out the loft space.
When deciding upon how the space will be used, these are some of the additional tasks which might go into boarding the loft space. Costs will, of course, vary based upon which additions are implemented, and how the space will ultimately be used. Make sure to account for this when setting out a budget to board the loft space.
If you plan on boarding the loft to use as a spare bedroom, guest room, or even a game-room, you can do some design work yourself. Not only will this allow you to add your personal touches to the space, but also save on the overall cost of the project.
In doing a DIY design job, owners can incorporate custom design aspects. You can paint the walls yourself, incorporate personal artwork, or even add a few touches to the space, to truly make it your own.
Where it might cost £300-£500 to hire a couple of tradespeople to do the work per day, you can re-allocate these funds to do certain projects yourself. Consider a unique paint colour for the walls. Implement a textured roof design/pattern. Or, otherwise incorporate design elements which personalise the space, and make it truly unique for the intended use.
In boarding the loft area, certain issues can arise. For example, if you have to re-wire the area to bring everything up to code, this can easily increase the cost of the project by several £100 pounds. Implementing a board to stabilise the space, or adding windows to improve air-flow, might also incur additional costs you weren’t planning for.
If the home is old, plumbing work might be required. You might need insulation materials to add prior to boarding the space. Because these issues can arise, it is important that homeowners not only set aside anywhere from 5 days, up to 2 weeks additional time for the project’s completion but also an additional £500 (plus), to cover these additional costs as they arise.
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Of course, you have certain questions as it pertains to boarding up the loft area of your home. If you plan on hiring a tradesperson to do this work, or if you plan on doing it yourself, these are some common questions you might have, prior to undertaking this project.
The cost of boarding a loft will vary greatly. If structural work is required, new wiring or plumbing work is required, this will increase costs. Further, it will cost less to board a 100- sq metre space, than it will a 500-sq metre space.
When budgeting for this project, homeowners can expect to set aside anywhere between £300-£500 per day, to hire 2 to 3 tradespeople. Additionally, setting aside a budget for the materials (approximately £500 or higher) should be done when budgeting for this project.
If 2 to 3 tradesman are working in a 100-sq metre space, the job can take as little as 2 to 5 days. On the flip side, a space of 500 sq metres, might require a minimum of 1 week, if no additional work/issues arise. It is best to set aside a minimum of one week to complete the project.
This is truly up to you. From a game room to a spare bedroom, or storage space, the options are virtually endless. Once boarded, you can use the loft area for various purposes.
It should have at least 2.5-metre head clearance if you plan on using the room for sleeping/bedroom purposes.
Typically, no. However, depending on where you live, and purposes of the space, it may be necessary. Check with your tradesperson/specialist, as they can better inform you of local requirements.
