Covering Manchester
Alongside Manchester, we also cover Salford (2 miles to the west), Old Trafford and Droylsden.
Homes in the North West
Terraced housing is a defining feature of many North West towns, which brings party walls and narrow access into most projects, with more space to extend on suburban semis.
What goes into a hip-to-gable loft conversion?
A hip-to-gable loft conversion rebuilds the sloping side (the hip) of a semi-detached or detached house roof as a vertical gable wall, extending the ridge and creating enough space for a staircase and rooms. It is usually combined with a rear dormer.
- Volume calculation and planning check
- Gable wall build in brick, block or render
- En-suite and fire-protected escape route
What is the guide price for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Manchester?
Indicative costs for hip-to-gable loft conversions. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| 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 |
Planning and building rules in Manchester
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 Manchester 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 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.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Your questions answered
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.
Who deals with the council for a project in Manchester?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Also covering
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Salford
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Old Trafford
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Droylsden
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Stretford
Learn more about hip-to-gable loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Manchester.