Covering Durham
Durham sits 17 miles north of Darlington, with Chester-le-Street 6 miles to the north and Houghton-le-Spring 6 miles to the north-east.
Homes in the North East
In the North East, terraces, semis and bungalows all offer room to extend, with stone-built villages and conservation areas in parts of County Durham and Northumberland.
What is a dormer loft conversion?
A dormer loft conversion builds a box-shaped extension out from the rear slope of the roof, creating vertical walls and full head height across most of the new floor. It is the most popular type of loft conversion because it gives the most usable space for the cost.
- Lawful development certificate or planning drawings
- Steelwork and new floor structure
- Staircase, insulation and plasterboard
How much should I budget for a dormer loft conversion?
Indicative costs for dormer loft conversions. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| Dormer loft conversions | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Rear dormer, bedroom only | £50,000 to £65,000 |
| Full-width dormer with en-suite | £60,000 to £80,000 |
| L-shaped dormer (over rear outrigger) | £65,000 to £90,000 |
Do you need permission for a dormer loft conversion in Durham?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it applies.
In England many loft conversions are permitted development: the extra roof volume must stay within 40 m³ on a terraced house or 50 m³ on a semi or detached house, nothing can sit higher than the existing ridge, no dormer can face a road on the main elevation, and side windows must be obscure-glazed and non-opening below 1.7 m. Houses in conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes cannot use these roof-extension rights, so dormers there need planning permission (a rooflight-only conversion can still be permitted development), and flats always need permission.
What can change the price or programme?
- Dormers on the front of the house facing a road are not permitted development in England.
- A flat dormer roof needs proper falls and a quality membrane.
What are the steps?
- Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
- Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
Dormer loft conversions: common questions
How much does a dormer loft conversion cost?
Typically £50,000 to £80,000 including VAT, and up to around £90,000 for an L-shaped dormer.
Is a dormer permitted development?
Rear dormers in England often are, within the 40 m³ (terrace) or 50 m³ (semi or detached) volume allowance. Front dormers facing a road are not.
Who deals with the council for a project in Durham?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Dormer loft conversions in nearby towns
- Dormer loft conversions in Chester-le-Street
- Dormer loft conversions in Houghton-le-Spring
- Dormer loft conversions in Stanley
- Dormer loft conversions in Washington
Learn more about dormer loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Durham.