Over 5 million pre-built homes switch hands in the United States every year. Add to that number the volume of new constructions that sell and it’s clear that Americans love moving into new spaces.
As people migrate to new properties, one of the chief concerns they often run into is a lack of space. That space shortage could be related to storage concerns or even living concerns (needing an additional bedroom for example).
One of the most clever fixes we’ve seen to the lack of space quandary is investing in loft boarding and a handful of other materials to construct a home loft.
Building a loft might seem like a daunting project but it can be an affordable venture! Keep reading to learn more about how you can get started building your loft and what to expect financially during the process.
Loft Boarding Costs Vary
Investing in loft boarding, brackets, insulation, and other materials required to build a loft and then putting one in doesn’t have a flat price. Several variables could easily turn a $600 job into one that costs eight times as much.
To help you frame the cost of your loft project a little better, here are the key concerns you’ll want to think of when estimating a quote in your head:
Size of Loft
Size matters when it comes to loft boarding. Why? Because if you’re trying to lay in a loft that’s 6×6 feet, you’re going to have to buy far fewer materials than if you’re trying to lay in a loft that’s 25×25 feet.
More space means more brackets, more boarding, and perhaps other supports that you’ll have to pick up at your local hardware store.
If you’re not sure what the rough price per square foot of your loft is going to be and you don’t want to get caught running out of money, consider starting a small expansion thereafter.
Type of Boarding
Loft boarding is a term that’s often used to describe the process of putting in a loft or the physical wood planks that make up a loft’s floor. In the context of physical materials, the board you’ll buy to serve as the surface of your loft will vary in price based on the kind of board you pick up.
As an example, pinewood might run you far less than mahogany. Rosewood could be harder to get your hands on than cherry.
All of that to say that you may want to price out your loft with a few different wood types to see which material is going to give you the most bang for your buck without sacrificing aesthetics.
Labor Costs
When boarding a loft, unless you’re a contractor, you’re going to want to hire help. Yes, some people hop on YouTube and DIY their lofts. Here’s the thing though – Not only will boarding your own loft take a lot of your time but a loft is something that’s suspended in the air over people’s heads. One mistake made by a bad builder could lead to a collapse and serious injury coming to those that may be below.
Professional contractors will make sure your lofts get put in right and will let you focus on other things during the build. The downside is, of course, that hiring help costs money and those costs can vary substantially from location to location.
As a general rule, the bigger and more impacted your city is, the more expensive hiring help will be.
Time of Year
The cost of materials and labor can drop substantially if you commission a loft project during an off time of the year. For example, getting a build done during winter might mean that contractors are less busy since most renovations get done during warm months.
Low demands on labor and supplies almost always mean better deals for you.
Miscellaneous Materials
A loft isn’t just a series of planks floating in the air. To properly board a loft, you’ll need brackets to lay wood across. You’ll also need additional insulation added to the ceiling area your loft is bordering.
Be sure to weigh all of those expenses before committing to your build to make sure you can afford all of the miscellaneous aspects of your project that will be integral to your home improvement getting done fully and correctly.
A Quick Look at Estimates/Averages
We’ve walked you through various expenses and a handful of misconceptions regarding the loft boarding process (you can discover more in this article). If you’re hungry for cost averages when it comes to loft boarding though, here’s what we can tell you.
An average loft build in a moderately populated area might set you back around $700 if the loft is modestly sized. If you’ll need to run electricity to your loft or do extensive insulation or repair work on your roof to make your space comfortable, you could be looking at a job that sets you back up to $4,000.
Your best bet in estimating your cost would be to call in a contractor and get a quote.
Loft Boarding can be a Rewarding Home Improvement Project
Learning how to board a loft, hiring a team to do it, and investing in the process might seem like a lot of work. Believe us when we say though that investing in a loft boarding project is something that will pay dividends over the course of your home life.
After all, who doesn’t love to have additional space in their home?
If you find yourself in need of more guidance regarding boarding a loft, consider exploring additional product and service-oriented content on our blog!
