Make the most of your space with a home office loft conversion

SELF EMPLOYMENT is soaring and more people than ever before are looking at ways to convert their previously unused loft space into a home office.

IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed, has recently revealed that the number of self-employed workers rose by 209,000 to 4.7 million in the three months to April 2016.

Flexible working practices, which allows employees to work off-site for some of the time in return for a better work-life balance, is also contributing to the rise in home workers.

Although the loft is something of a forgotten room, when it’s converted properly, it can make an ideal home office.

And that’s not all a loft can be used for.

There is also the possibility of renting out the available space to a lodger – the Government’s Rent A Room scheme allows people to earn up to a threshold of £7,500 tax-free each year.

However, anybody who wants to create a home office or extra room in their loft should do some research first:

• Make sure your loft is insulated with high quality spray foam insulation for a healthy, warm and quieter working environment.
• Planning permission is not normally required as a loft conversion is considered a permitted development. However, it must remain within legally set limits and regulations so if in doubt, contact your local council.
• Contact your mortgage lender and insurance provider because adding an extra room may result in a change to your premiums.

In addition, environmentally friendly spray foam insulation creates greater energy efficiency, reduces noise and can cut household heating bills by up to 45 per cent.

To ask about spray foam insulation solutions and loft conversions, call the Noreus team on 01782 756995 or click here to request a call back.