Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Add value to your home this Home Improvement Month

by Ethos public relations

April is Home Improvement Month and with property prices in London and the Home Counties so expensive - improving your home with a professional loft conversion will not only provide more space but is also likely to add more value to your home.

Becke Livesey from national loft conversion company Econoloft said: “In some parts of the country where space is at a premium you could pay up to £100K to upgrade to a bigger house. No bedroom is worth that amount of money especially when you can extend the home you live in for an average of £25,000. It’s no wonder that loft conversion remain as popular as ever.”

Econoloft has been established for thirty years and carry out around 300 loft conversions every year. It says the most popular loft conversion remains an additional bedroom. “If you’re looking for extra space – you don’t need to go through the expensive and stress of moving home,” adds Becke.

“A loft conversion could provide the ideal solution to your space problem and it remains the best way to add value to your home.”

If you are interested in adding more space to your property visit the national loft conversion experts at www.econoloft.co.uk or call the freephone number on 0800 269 765.

To read other news from Econoloft click here.

Posted at 4^th April 2012

Extra bedroom and en-suite is top loft conversion

by Ethos public relations

A bedroom with en-suite facilities was the most popular loft conversion in 2010 according to Econoloft - the only loft conversion company that works across the country.

Becke Livesey from the company said: “We completed around 200 loft conversions in 2010 and by far the most popular reason was to create more room for a growing family which usually means adding an extra bedroom.

“Making a 2-bedroom house into a 3-bedroom house or extending a 3-bedroom property into a 4-bedroom property can really make a difference to a family.”

Econoloft has also noticed a new trend in 2010 – confusion around planning legislation. “Since the government made changes to planning legislation in October 2008 the public are more confused then ever about what they are allowed to build under ‘permitted development’ and what requires planning.

“It is really confusing and our customers rely on us to make sure everything is within the law.”

Econoloft say that 2011 looks like another busy year with like for like, year on year sales comparable to the previous years. Space, particularly in areas like Greater London, remains at a premium, and for many families extending into the attic represents good value for money.

“With a new baby on the way or even the return of grown up children – our experience suggests that people do look at moving home first as a means to getting that all important extra bedroom,” said Becke. “However, they find that moving house is often much more expensive than a loft conversion which is why it remains a popular option for home owners.

“And of course estate agents and property experts consistently put a loft conversion at the top of their lists when it comes to adding value.”

The Econoloft top five loft conversion in 2010 are:

Master bedroom with ensuite facilities
Bedroom
Home Office
Teen space/den
Home cinema

If you are interested in adding more space to your home visit the national loft conversion experts at  www.econoloft.co.uk or call the freephone number on 0800 269 765.

To read other news from Econoloft click here.

Posted at 26^th January 2011

Feeling a bit cramped this Christmas?

by Ethos public relations

As you take the Christmas tree and decorations out of the attic this year – why not take a long hard look at the space available and think about how it could add more living space to your home?

Becke Livesey is a Director at Econoloft, the only loft conversion company that works across the country.  She said that after family and friends descend at Christmas, the company has an influx of calls in January as people want to find out more about adding more living space to their home.

“Ninety percent of all our loft conversions are for a bedroom and ensuite,” she said.  “People can feel a bit cramped at Christmas as children return home and other family members stay over.  It’s usually the catalyst for homeowners to find out about the loft conversion they have been promising themselves all year.”   

Becke said that even the smallest roof space can create quite a spacious room thanks to the clever use of skylights and velux windows which can flood the space with natural light and really open up the room.  

“Making a 2-bedroom house into a 3-bedroom house or extending a 3-bedroom property into a 4-bedroom property really makes a difference to a family,” said Becke.  “Customers often tell us that having that extra space releases quite a lot of tension and makes family life a lot less stressful – particularly at busy times like Christmas.

“And of course a well designed and well built loft conversion will also add value to your property as well as avoiding a lot of the stresses and costs associated with moving house.”

Becke advises anyone who is considering a loft conversion to think about how the space will be used now and in the future.  “If friends or neighbours have a loft conversion take a look at theirs and also look at our website for images which can provide inspiration,” she said.

“You may also find it useful to get a few estate agents to the house to provide an estimate of how much value a loft conversion could add to your home.

“And don’t forget that orders placed before December 31st 2010 can be invoiced at the pre-VAT rise price as long as the VAT element is settled in 2010 and the work completed before 4 July 2011. You could save hundreds of pounds so don’t delay.”

If you are interested in adding more space to your home visit the national loft conversion experts at www.econoloft.co.uk or call the freephone number on 0800 269 765.

Posted at 13^th December 2010

Convert your loft into an office

by Ethos public relations

The number of people working remotely from home has more than doubled in the last ten years and so it comes as no surprise that one of the primary reasons for extending the home is to have a dedicated home office.

Rena Trepka from Econoloft, the UK’s only nationwide loft conversion company, said that the home office was becoming an increasingly popular reason for homeowners to extend into the loft.

“The home office has become as desirable in a family home as a separate dining room or an ensuite,” she said. “It was not so long ago that people were happy to put up with a tiny space under the stairs or scatter their work around on the kitchen table – but all of that has changed and the home office is becoming a must have for many people.”

Over 2 million people work from home at least some of the time and as next generation broadband becomes more widely available, environmental pressure increases on reducing travel and more people take up their right to flexible working – many believe this figure will increase even further.

“If you are working from home it’s important to have a dedicated space to do so,” said Rena. “If you work for a responsible employer they will insist your home work space meets the necessary health and safety legislation which will include the right heating, space and ventilation. And even people who work for themselves soon find how important it is to ensure their their work space is clearly divided from their living space.”

Econoloft complete around 350 loft conversions every year, around 25 per cent of these are for a dedicated home office or incorporate a space for home working.

“As well as providing you with that all important private working space, a well designed and well built loft conversion will also add value to your property,” said Rena.

Rena advises anyone who is considering a loft conversion to consider how the space will be used now and in the future. Key questions to ask include: Will your home office still be in use in 5 years time? Could you need more or less space? How many people will use this space? Could it double up as study area or a games room?

If you are interested in adding a home office to your property visit the national loft conversion experts at  www.econoloft.co.uk or call the freephone number on 0800 269 765.

Posted at 23^rd July 2010

Boom in loft conversions thanks to Chancellor

by Ethos public relations

Derek Livesey, Managing Director of Econoloft, the UK’ only national loft conversion company says the Chancellor of the Exchequer has helped create a loft conversion boom.

“Anyone unsure about whether or not to go ahead with a loft conversion - or indeed any other major household renovation - has just had their mind made up by the Chancellor,” he said.

“Any major construction work in 2011 is going to cost 2.5 percent more than it will this year. Our phones started ringing the minute the Chancellor announced the new 20% VAT rate. “

The sector is expecting a major sales increase in the latter part of the year as home owners get set to beat the VAT increase in 2011. Extending living space continues to be one of the most popular ways for British homeowners to increase the value of their property and the addition of an extra bedroom or bathroom could add thousands of pounds.

“Econoloft will try to honour all quotes given before 2011 but my advice is don’t leave it too late,” adds Derek.

To find out more about Econoloft please visit www.econoloft.co.uk or call 0800 269 765.

Posted at 23^rd June 2010

Watch the World Cup in style

by Ethos public relations

World Cup fever has gripped the nation and for football lovers across England it’s feet up, telly on and a good selection of drinks and snacks - what could be better?  Well how about your own ‘entertainment’ room for one?

Rena Trepka, a designer from national loft conversion company Econoloft said that home cinemas, entertainment rooms and technology dens are becoming increasingly popular reasons to have a loft conversion.

“If every room in your house is being used for a specific purpose, squeezing a 42 inch plasma in the dining room and calling it a home cinema does not have quite the same appeal as a dedicated room,” she said.

“A true home cinema needs to have the right sound, lighting, flooring and furniture to really fit the bill and the only way to create this is with a bespoke space.”

A loft conversion can provide the ideal space because it offers a separate room away from the rest of the house and give relative isolation for people to indulge themselves in their entertainment of choice, be that films, music or games.

“It does tend to be men who crave this type of space,” said Rena. “However, it can suit the whole family to have a room at the top of the house where all gizmo’s, gadget’s and boys’ toys are kept in one purpose-built dedicated space.

Kids won’t be getting under your feet with their Wii games; teenagers won’t be cluttering up the lounge with their Playstations and best of all the man of the house can watch sporting events well away from the rest of the family.

“And when the World Cup is over, couples have got four years to use the home cinema as a grown up romantic space to enjoy a movie or two,” said Rena.

If you are interested in adding a home cinema or technology den to your property visit the national loft conversion experts at  www.econoloft.co.uk or call the freephone number on 0800 269 765.

Posted at 10^th June 2010

90% of loft conversions add an extra bedroom and en-suite

by Ethos public relations

What’s in your attic?  Christmas tree decorations and suitcases – discarded baby clothes and old school books perhaps?  Next time you pop into the attic see beyond the detritus of your life and imagine an extra bedroom with en-suite facilities.

Rena Trepka is a designer from Econoloft, the only loft conversion company that works across the country.  She said that 90% of Econoloft customers want a bedroom and en-suite in their loft.

“People are often surprised at how even the smallest roof space can create quite a spacious room,” she said.  “Using skylights and velux windows floods the space with natural light and really opens up the room.  And once you’ve decided how you want to use the room Econoloft designers will advise on the best type of loft conversion for the space you have available.”

The most popular reason for having a loft conversion is to create more room for a growing family which usually means the addition of an extra bedroom. That could mean a bedroom for a teenager who no longer wants to share with a sibling; creating a new master bedroom for parents who want some space away from the children; or creating a younger child’s bedroom or nursery.

“Making a 2-bedroom house into a 3-bedroom house or extending a 3-bedroom property into a 4-bedroom property really makes a difference to a family,” said Rena.  “Customers often tell us that having that extra space often releases quite a lot of tension and makes family life a lot less stressful.

“And of course a well designed and well built loft conversion will also add value to your property as well as avoiding a lot of the problems associated with moving house.”

Rena advises anyone who is considering a loft conversion to consider how the space will be used now and in the future.

“If friends or neighbours have a loft conversion take a look at them and also look at our website for images which can provide inspiration,” she said.  “You may also find it useful to get a few estate agents to the house to provide an estimate of how much value a loft conversion could add to the value of your home.

”There are so many possibilities for using that otherwise useless loft space, whatever you’re looking for in your extension – a master bedroom, a playroom, a guest suite, an office, a nursery or a home cinema, you can rely on the Econoloft team to get it right.

If you are interested in adding more space to your home visit the national loft conversion experts at  www.econoloft.co.uk or call the freephone number on 0800 269 765.

Posted at 15^th March 2010

Loft conversion orders hit the roof

by Ethos public relations

As property commentators and experts start to report the first hopeful signs of economic recovery in the housing market, the good news is also reflected by national loft conversion company Econoloft.

Established for 30 years, Econoloft is the only loft conversion company that works across the country and it is one of the biggest and most respected specialists in its field. Managing Director Derek Livesey said that in the last few months the company has seen a marked increase in orders.

"People have been reluctant to invest in their homes due to worries about little or no return on their investment," he said. "Now it seems that at last the tide has turned and it is clear that confidence in the property market is returning for the first time in over a year.

Extending living space continues to be one of the most popular ways for British homeowners to increase the value of their property and the addition of an extra bedroom or bathroom could add thousands of pounds.

But Derek warns homeowners only to work with professional companies to ensure that a loft conversion or extension, is well thought out. "You should always consider the impact that major work will have on the re-sale value of your home - whether that sale is in a year or ten years time," he said.

And if you planning any major renovation work - make it sooner rather than later as the current 15% VAT rate will be increased to 17.5% in January 2010.

"I don't think the penny has dropped with the general public that any major construction work in 2010 is going to cost 2.5 percent more than it will this year," said Derek. "If you are planning something like a loft conversion - you need to move fast if you want to save yourself hundreds and possibly thousands of pounds."

Find out more about Econoloft by visiting www.econoloft.co.uk or by calling 0800 269 765.

Posted at 4^th September 2009

Revised planning regulations are not working

by Ethos public relations

Government planning regulations designed to cut red tape and save the public up to ?50m in planning application fees are having the opposite effect - according to national loft builder Econoloft.

"The new 'permitted development' rules should have made home improvement much easier for thousands of families when they were introduced last year," said Derek Livesey from Econoloft. "Instead, a lack of clarity in the rules means we and our clients have to enter into protracted dialogue with local councils for guidance.

"It seems that every council is interpreting the new planning guidance in a different way - and so we never know what is permitted and what is not - as each planning office has a different take on the rules."

This postcode lottery is having an impact on the already beleaguered building trade and adding additional monies to the bill of householders who were led to believe that the new rules would save them money and time.

"Councils in the South seem to be particularly belligerent and are basically putting their own spin on the guidance," said Derek.

Econoloft is not alone in feeling frustrated - only a few months into the new planning legislation and architects, builders and planning consultants were lobbying their national bodies and Government to revisit the new guidance.

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said: "It is very frustrating for both householders and builders that local authorities are choosing to misinterpret the original aim of the Government?s planning legislation which was meant to make it easier, not harder, for householders wanting to improve their homes.

"The FMB has written to Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Planning, to ask for her help because clearly local authorities are working against Government policy. What we need is further guidance from the Government to prevent local authorities stopping development taking place and to allow people to be able to improve their homes as the Government always intended."

Econoloft and other builders who work in the loft conversion and home extension industry say they now have to take what previously were regarded as simple home extensions to appeal.

"Given the current housing crisis together with the knock on effect on thousands of jobs in the building industry the Government's lack of clarity and the subsequent individual interpretation of the new rules by local councils is totally unacceptable," added Derek Livesey.

If you are a householder, a loft conversion or home extension company who has experienced problems with the new planning legislation please email planning@ethos-pr.com.

Posted at 5^th June 2009