Covering Wokingham
Wokingham is about 7 miles south-east of Reading. We also cover Crowthorne (3 miles to the south-east), Bracknell and Camberley.
Homes in the South East
Housing across the South East mixes inter-war semis, post-war estates and older cottages in villages and market towns, so rear and side extensions, hip-to-gable lofts and garage conversions all come up regularly.
What does a hip-to-gable loft conversion involve?
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.
- Volume calculation and planning check
- Extended ridge and roof structure
- Rear dormer and roof coverings to match
What will a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost?
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 Wokingham
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 can affect a hip-to-gable loft conversion?
- Hip-to-gable volume counts towards the permitted development allowance.
- Scaffolding goes up on the side of the house, which may need a neighbour’s agreement.
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.
- 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.
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 Wokingham?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Other towns nearby
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Crowthorne
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Bracknell
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Camberley
- Hip-to-gable loft conversions in Reading
Learn more about hip-to-gable loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Wokingham.

