Dormer loft conversions in Gillingham

Covering Gillingham

Gillingham sits 9 miles north of Maidstone, with Chatham 1 miles to the south-west and Rochester 2 miles to the west.

Homes in the South East

The South East has a lot of 1930s and post-war semi-detached housing, well suited to rear extensions and hip-to-gable loft conversions, alongside period properties in conservation areas that need a more careful design.

What goes into 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.

Steelwork and new floor structure
Dormer frame, roof covering and cladding
Staircase, insulation and plasterboard

How much should I budget for a dormer loft conversion?

What dormer loft conversions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.

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

Planning and building rules in Gillingham

Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 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 affect a dormer loft conversion?

Dormers on the front of the house facing a road are not permitted development in England.
L-shaped dormers are common on Victorian terraces with a rear outrigger.

What happens after I enquire?

Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.

Dormer loft conversions: common questions

What cladding can a dormer have?

Tile-hanging to match the roof, render, slate, timber or zinc, depending on the house and any planning conditions.

Can a dormer include a bathroom?

Yes. The full head height in a dormer makes it the best place for a shower room or en-suite.

Do you work in Gillingham?

Yes. Gillingham is within our coverage for dormer loft conversions, along with nearby Chatham and Rochester.

Also covering

Learn more about dormer loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Gillingham.