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Lofts and upward extensions

Loft conversions

Bedrooms and bathrooms in the roof, from rooflight to full dormer. Designed, approved and built by SK Residential, with a fixed price in writing for the agreed specification.

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What is a loft conversion?

A loft conversion turns an unused roof space into habitable rooms, usually a bedroom with an en-suite, by strengthening the floor, adding a staircase, insulating the roof and putting in windows. The type you need depends on the roof: rooflight, dormer, hip-to-gable or mansard.

Finished loft bedroom with sloping ceilings, roof windows and built-in eaves storage

We start with the head height. You need roughly 2.2 m or more from the top of the ceiling joists to the underside of the ridge for a conversion to work without raising the roof. From there we design the staircase position, the type of conversion and the en-suite, and manage the whole build including fire safety and building control.

Typical time on site
6 to 14 weeks
Guide price
£30,000 to £110,000
Building regulations
Required

What is included?

  • Loft survey and head-height check
  • Design drawings and structural calculations
  • Planning or lawful development certificate
  • New floor joists, steels and staircase
  • Dormer or rooflights, insulation and plasterboard
  • En-suite, electrics, heating and fire safety upgrades

How much does a loft conversion cost?

Most loft conversions with a bedroom and en-suite cost between £50,000 and £80,000 including VAT. London and the South East tend to sit at the top of each range.

Loft conversionsGuide price incl. VAT
Rooflight conversion£30,000 to £45,000
Dormer conversion£50,000 to £90,000
Hip-to-gable with dormer£60,000 to £95,000
Mansard conversion£65,000 to £110,000

Unit: per conversion. Guide ranges only; your price is fixed in writing after the survey.

Use the guide price tool for a figure based on your size and specification, or see all guide prices.

Does a loft conversion need planning permission?

England

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. A lawful development certificate is worth having as proof.

Wales

Wales has its own loft and roof permitted development rules. Rear dormers within set volume limits are often allowed, but the detail differs from England's, so we confirm the current Welsh limits against your roof before the design is fixed.

Scotland

In Scotland, dormers and other roof enlargements usually need planning permission, especially on the front of the house. A building warrant is needed before work starts in every case.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, roof enlargements such as dormers often need planning permission depending on size and position. Building control approval is needed for every loft conversion.

What about building regulations?

Building regulations approval is needed for every loft conversion: the floor structure, staircase, fire-protected escape route (often fire doors and mains-wired smoke alarms throughout the house), insulation and ventilation.

What should I think about before starting?

  • Head height under the ridge decides whether a conversion is practical.
  • The new staircase usually takes space from the landing or a bedroom below.
  • Fire safety rules can mean new fire doors on the floors below.
  • Party wall notices are often needed for steels bearing on a shared wall.

How does the project run?

  1. Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
  2. Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
  3. Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
  4. Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Questions about loft conversions

How much does a loft conversion cost?

Roughly £30,000 to £45,000 for a rooflight conversion, £50,000 to £90,000 for a dormer, £60,000 to £95,000 for a hip-to-gable and £65,000 to £110,000 for a mansard, including VAT.

Is my loft suitable for conversion?

If there is about 2.2 m or more from the top of the ceiling joists to the underside of the ridge, it usually is. We check this at the free site visit.

Does a loft conversion need planning permission?

In England many are permitted development, within 40 m³ of extra volume on a terrace or 50 m³ on a semi or detached house. Conservation areas and flats need permission.

How long does a loft conversion take?

Usually 6 to 14 weeks on site depending on the type.

Can we live at home during a loft conversion?

Yes. Most of the work is done from scaffolding until the staircase goes in near the end.

Do I need fire doors?

Often yes. Building regulations require a protected escape route from the new floor, which usually means fire doors on to the stairs and linked smoke alarms.

Related projects

Guides

Where do we build loft conversions?

We take on loft conversions across England, Wales, mainland Scotland and Northern Ireland. Choose your area:

Planning an extension, loft or new home?

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