Covering Godalming
Alongside Godalming, we also cover Guildford, Aldershot (8 miles to the north-west) and Farnham.
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 do you get with a hip-to-gable loft conversion?
Hipped roofs are common on 1930s semis and have little usable volume until the hip is squared off. We rebuild the gable in brick or block, extend the roof structure, form the rear dormer and finish the new floor, keeping the front roof slope looking as close to the original as possible.
- Gable wall build in brick, block or render
- Extended ridge and roof structure
- Rear dormer and roof coverings to match
How much should I budget for a hip-to-gable loft conversion?
What hip-to-gable loft conversions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.
| Hip-to-gable loft conversions | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £60,000 to £80,000 |
| Double hip-to-gable (detached house) | £70,000 to £95,000 |
How is a hip-to-gable loft conversion approved in Godalming?
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.
What should Godalming homeowners check first?
- The new gable is usually rendered or built in matching brick.
- Scaffolding goes up on the side of the house, which may need a neighbour’s agreement.
What are the steps?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
What people ask before starting
Does a hip-to-gable need planning permission?
In England it is often permitted development if the total extra volume stays within 50 m³ for a semi or detached house.
How long does it take?
About 9 to 13 weeks on site.
Do you work in Godalming?
Yes. Godalming is within our coverage for hip-to-gable loft conversions, along with nearby Guildford and Aldershot.
Also covering
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Guildford
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Aldershot
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Farnham
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Woking
Learn more about hip-to-gable loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Godalming.

