Covering Hitchin
Our coverage around Hitchin (SG4, SG5) also includes Letchworth Garden City (3 miles to the north-east) and Stevenage.
Homes in the East of England
Housing in the East of England ranges from post-war estates and modern developments to timber-framed and period homes in historic towns, so permitted development checks and conservation controls both feature regularly.
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
- Staircase, insulation, plastering and electrics
What will a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost?
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 |
What approvals does a hip-to-gable loft conversion need in England?
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 should I think about before starting?
- Matching old clay tiles can be difficult; reclaimed tiles are often used.
- The new gable is usually rendered or built in matching brick.
What happens after I enquire?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Hip-to-gable loft conversions: common questions
How long does it take?
About 9 to 13 weeks on site.
Will the roof tiles match?
We match the tiles as closely as possible, using reclaimed tiles where the originals are no longer made.
Do you work in Hitchin?
Yes. Hitchin is within our coverage for hip-to-gable loft conversions, along with nearby Letchworth Garden City and Stevenage.
Also covering
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Letchworth Garden City
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Stevenage
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Luton
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Harpenden
Learn more about hip-to-gable loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Hitchin.

