Covering Chatham
Alongside Chatham, we also cover Gillingham, Rochester (1 miles to the north-west) and Strood.
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 is a loft conversion?
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.
- Loft survey and head-height check
- Design drawings and structural calculations
- Planning or lawful development certificate
What will a loft conversion cost?
Indicative costs for loft conversions. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| Loft conversions | Guide 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 |
Do you need permission for a loft conversion in Chatham?
English projects need planning clearance from the local council, building regulations sign-off from building control, and party wall notices where the work is on or near a shared boundary. We prepare and manage all three.
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?
- Head height under the ridge decides whether a conversion is practical.
- Fire safety rules can mean new fire doors on the floors below.
From first call to completion
- 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.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
Questions about a loft conversion in Chatham
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.
How long does a loft conversion take?
Usually 6 to 14 weeks on site depending on the type.
Do you work in Chatham?
Yes. Chatham is within our coverage for loft conversions, along with nearby Gillingham and Rochester.
Loft conversions near Chatham
- Loft conversions in Gillingham
- Loft conversions in Rochester
- Loft conversions in Strood
- Loft conversions in Maidstone
Learn more about loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Chatham.