Check if you need a permit for attic renovation. It makes a difference whether the attic is an extension of the existing residential unit or a separate unit. Where will the stairs be located, and where is the wet area (bathroom, kitchen)? Do you need advice from an architect?
Attic renovation is often a very efficient way to increase the square footage of existing living space, but it can also create a completely independent residential unit. In parts of the city where the “price per square meter” is higher, this can result in highly valuable living space. However, before starting the renovation, there are some “details” to consider before the work begins, to anticipate all costs and avoid unnecessary expenses.
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First, it is essential to consider all aspects related to legal regulations and permits. If the attic belongs to the common residential units of the building, you need to determine whether you need the consent of the other residents. If it’s an attic in a residential house, find out which permits are necessary.
When is a permit needed, and when is it not?
If the work can be done without changing the building’s dimensions, an approval for the execution of the work will be sufficient.
If the work is more extensive, such as adding walls or increasing the height of the attic, or if the building’s dimensions are altered by constructing dormer windows, you will need to obtain a building permit.
What will the access to the attic be like?
Before starting the work, it is important to carefully evaluate how the attic will be accessed. If it’s part of the existing residential unit, access can be internal, from the apartment below the attic. In that case, carefully assess what kind of access it will be.
If the attic will be used daily, it’s not a good solution to access it via ladders or folding stairs. These are auxiliary access options that are neither safe nor practical for daily use.
The most common compromise solution is spiral stairs, as they provide comfortable and safe passage while not taking up much space.
If the attic is a separate residential unit, it is advisable, and often necessary, to have the staircase leading to the attic on the outside of the building. In this case, the situation is usually less complicated, especially if it’s an attic in a house rather than in a building.
How and where will the “wet area” be installed?
Additionally, if the attic is a separate residential unit, it must have a wet area (bathroom, kitchen). This aspect can greatly complicate the renovation and turn something that initially seemed easy into something almost impossible or unprofitable. Therefore, it is crucial not to rush.
One of the things to plan ahead is the number of windows, their positions, and the possibility of creating a terrace if feasible. Today, there are numerous solutions from skylight manufacturers that allow for integrated skylights with roof terraces, which can give the attic a completely new living dimension.
How to plan the layout of the rooms?
Carefully plan the layout of the furniture and, accordingly, the layout of the rooms, doors, and windows. Attics are very specific when it comes to furniture layout, and sometimes custom-made pieces can maximize the use of the available space. It’s ideal if this is planned in advance.
When you sum it all up, it becomes clear that the first thing you should do is hire an architect. For many, this step may seem like an unnecessary expense, but an experienced architect will be best able to identify all potential problems and possibilities and offer the best suggestions and ideas accordingly.
There are simply some things you wouldn’t know could be done in a certain way, nor do you know that certain types of products and construction solutions even exist on the market. The architect’s job is precisely to provide the best adaptation proposal based on all factors.
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