Are you thinking of undertaking a barn conversion to provide the perfect home for your family? If so, you’re not alone. Barn conversions have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people keen to invest in this prime real estate. If you’re interested in a barn conversion in Scunthorpe, Brigg, or Grimsby, contact High and Dry Renovations. We’re your local barn conversion specialists, with our team having many years of experience converting barns of all types and sizes across the region. We take a look at the top questions to ask about barn conversions.
What is a barn conversion?
A barn conversion refers to the development and conversion of a farm building into a habitable building. This can be for residential or commercial use. Barn conversions usually benefit from substantial space, high ceilings, and charming, rustic exteriors. They tend to combine traditional and modern features brilliantly, making them very appealing to a wide range of people. Barn conversions have been popular since back in the 1950s when the usefulness of barns decreased due to the decline in farming. Alternative uses were required for these sizeable structures, with many being converted into homes.
Are barn conversions cold and draughty?
You might assume that a barn conversion will be cold and draughty during the winter months. However, this is unlikely to be the case when you hire a reputable building company to carry out the work. At High and Dry Renovations, we’ll use the best quality building materials and the latest methods to convert your barn, making sure it’s as energy-efficient as possible. We can help ensure that your barn conversion stays warm and comfortable even when temperatures are at their lowest outside.
What are the different types of barn conversion?
Barns were constructed for various reasons and from many different building materials. Since rural peasants could only use local materials, regional variations are common. Barns also had distinct functions which helped to determine their form. For example, there were barns for processing and storing agricultural produce. These had high doors for cart access and windows to provide better light for work to be carried out (such as winnowing).
Smaller barns would shelter the livestock from the elements during the winter, whilst the Church constructed huge tithe barns to store their taxes. There are so many different styles of barns to choose from throughout the UK. Barns can generally be divided into three major architectural types:
Box Construction Barn. In this type of barn, the four walls support the whole structure.
Cruck Framed Barn. Inner timber A-frames support the barn’s roof, as do the walls.
Post and Truss Barn. An interior timber frame supports the whole weight of the roof by connecting with vertically-placed posts.
How much does a barn conversion cost?
The cost of barn conversions depends on so many factors. However, it’s worth recognising that they’re usually more expensive than new build properties per square metre. The reason for this is that expertly retaining and upgrading the existing structure of the building can be a difficult and costly exercise. At the same of the day, the building team you choose will preserve the wonderful character and charm of the exciting structure, and this can be priceless.
At High and Dry Renovations, we aim to keep our prices as competitive as possible, making sure we always provide a real value for money service. We offer free consultations and quotations for barn conversions in Grimsby, Scunthorpe, and Brigg. There are barns for sale right now throughout the region, so why not start looking for the perfect structure to convert? Whether you’re looking for a barn conversion for residential or commercial use, you’re sure to find the right barn to meet your needs.
Do I need planning permission for a barn conversion?
Many people worry about whether they’ll need planning permission for a barn conversion. The good news is that since most conversions fall under permitted development rights, you won’t need to submit a full planning application. Barn conversions have class Q permitted development rights which are intended to speed up the planning process. This gets new homes constructed at a far quicker rate than the traditional planning process.
To ensure that your barn conversion is legal and that there are no objections from your local council, you’ll need to submit a Prior Approval application. A Prior Approval allows a local planning authority to assess the proposal and its possible impacts on factors such as the highways and transport, noise, and flood risk. If you don’t wait until you receive prior approval before you begin converting a barn, you may face big problems down the line. You risk landing yourself in hot water legally and financially.
If your barn doesn’t meet the class Q requirements, full planning permission will be required. You’ll need to submit a planning application to the local council to get permission to convert your barn.
Who should I hire for a barn conversion?
When it comes to hiring a company to convert your barn, look no further than High and Dry Renovations. We have years of experience at hand, with our team able to manage every aspect of the conversion. We can supply professional planners, builders, electricians, and plumbers. This in turn makes sure that work is carried out to the highest possible standards throughout the project. Our team can transform your old barn into a wonderful living space, turning your vision into reality. From conception to completion, you can rely on the team at High and Dry Renovations.
Contact us
Hopefully, this has answered the top questions to ask about barn conversions. If you’d like to find out more about our barn conversions in Scunthorpe, Brigg or Grimsby, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us on 01652 808 049 (Brigg), 01724 646 035 (Scunthorpe), or01472 565 074 (Grimsby). You can also send us a message via the site if you prefer. Furthermore, we can answer all your questions and queries or arrange for a free consultation and quotation to be provided.