The latest slump has caused house prices to plummet, instead of moving, homeowners are getting house extensions and loft extensions to add more living space. Roof extension simply costs considerably less than moving address but it also adds value to your property. With the extra value added to your home, you do not have to fear the stresses and strains of moving! Being one of the most under used spaces, the roof space has major possibilities, so why not maximise it.

If you harness your imagination, you could have that added living space that until that time you could solely fantasy about. That opulent master bedroom with en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, an office if you work from home, a cinema/games room or merely added space for somewhere for the kids to hang out and amuse themselves.

If you are a capable DIYer, then it is achievable to convert a loft yourself, but it is inadvisable. The question now is, how do I source a builder or loft conversion company that I can have faith in?

Employing a loft company or builder that is equally competent and honest seems like a hopeless undertaking, doubly so with all the stories you listen to regarding cowboy builders. Pick up a newspaper or magazine, or turn on the tv and you are no doubt bound to stumble on some story just about cowboy builders. It is so key that you get a builder or attic extension company that is charges a decent price, can keep to the agreed schedule and can be trusted.

Get on your way by asking family, friends and neighbours if they can recommend any builders or loft companies. Or, if they have had a attic extension themselves, whether they would suggest the builder that finished the work. A further way is just to look all over the place when you are traveling around your local area. Keep your eyes open for any current looking loft conversions. Should you see any, knock on their door and question who carried out the building work and whether they were content with the work.

If that does not give rise to any leads, review your local papers and directories. It is even easier if you have access to the internet. Just access your favourite search engine and enter "loft company YOUR AREA" or "loft conversions YOUR AREA" and you will be confronted with several loft conversion companies. Knock together a little list of the companies you like the look of, drop a line to them and acquire some quotes. At the same time, see if you can acquire any references from them. Even better, try and in fact go and check out some of their work in person.

It is always a good idea to get the builder or loft company rep to come around to take a look at your attic space to make sure that it is suited for a roof space extension as well as to talk about prospective proposal possibilities and to determine what you want. When you gain a quotation, even if it is verbally, make sure you obtain a written version. {The quotation should cover all work that is to be carried out when converting your loft, plus an itemised inventory of the costs involved and make sure that a time schedule is integrated.|The quotation should contain a list of work that is to be done with costs, as well as time table

If one of your quotations is much less than any of the others, there is a possibility that it has been priced improperly with concealed costs, that will only transpire when work has begun.

It is also worth checking that the building or loft company has some sort of insurance cover, or whether they are affiliated to any construction federations, like the National Register of Warranty Builders/Federation of Master Builders. It can be worth considering taking the agreement to a solicitor for them to check it out. Once you have taken all these steps, you should have a much increased probability of finding a loft company or builder who is proficient in attic conversions, reasonably priced and competent to carry out the attic extension within a predetermined interval of time.