Geoffrey Hedge suggests that moving up may be a more cost-effective alternative to moving home Research by building societies has revealed that a loft conversion can add value to a home if it incorporates an extra bedroom and a bathroom. According to a report by Halifax valuers and the Nationwide Building Society, a loft conversion is the most lucrative alteration that homeowners can make.

Converting 300 sq ft of loft space into an en-suite bedroom can add more than 20 per cent to the value of the property.

But loft conversions need to be carried out properly to reap the financial benefit.

Peter Stedman, managing director of The Loft Shop, said: "Moving house can be a difficult and expensive exercise, but new reports show that moving up can be a cost effective exercise."

He added: "Up to a third of potential space in a home is locked away in the loft."

The Loft Shop has published an excellent free booklet, Lofts Explained A Guide To Using Your Loft (see below).

Whether you need a full conversion, or want to make the best use of the space for storage, the booklet provides essential information on planning, designing, costs and building.

It also contains topics covering finance, do's and don'ts' and a flow chart to help when applying for planning permission.

The guide contains details of the relevant organisations that can provide advice and information and a glossary of technical terms.

The majority of homes have space under the roof which usually contains little else than the cold water storage cistern, a few boxes full of stuff you have forgotten about, and perhaps a chimney stack.

This space can represent as much as 30 per cent of the total floor area of the home.

In nearly all cases the loft can be converted into useful space. The exception to this is when the roof construction uses trussed rafters, which are typically found in post-1960 houses.

To use a loft for extra storage, a simple loft improvement requires only a suitable-sized opening in the ceiling and some type of ladder for access. This ladder can be a folding, sliding or concertina type.

If you want to live in the loft, the work will inevitably involve strengthening the ceiling joists, insulating and lining the underside of the rafters, providing windows for natural light and ventilation, and installing a permanent staircase for access and escape in the event of a fire.

Before you plan your loft conversion, check out what already exists in the roof space, and take a few measurements so the necessary plans can be produced.

First, take a torch and measuring tape and climb into the roof space. If it is not already boarded, watch where you stand, as you do not want to go through the ceiling below!

Check the overall width and length of the loft and the distance between the roof purlins. These are the horizontal timbers, or steel beams, which provide support for the roof rafters.

If there is about 3m between the main purlins on each side of the roof, then it may be possible to utilise the space for a loft conversion.

Make a sketch plan of the loft showing the walls, obstructions, water systems and pipes.

You will also need to decide where to locate the staircase, as available headroom may be critical.

When you have finished your plan, it will come in useful when you start getting quotes for the work from contractors.

For a free copy of Lofts Explained A Guide To Using Your Loft, call The Loft Shop on 0870 604 0404, or visit the website: www.loftshop.co.uk The company is a leading supplier of loft ladders, stairs and roof windows.