Loft conversions in the Forth Valley

Covering Forth Valley

We cover the Forth Valley, including Stirling, Falkirk, Alloa and Grangemouth, and the towns around them.

Homes in the Forth Valley

Housing in Scotland includes tenements in the cities, sandstone villas, inter-war and post-war semis and a large number of bungalows, which often suit dormer and upward extensions.

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.

Building warrant application and completion certificate
Design drawings and structural calculations
Dormer or rooflights, insulation and plasterboard

How much should I budget for a loft conversion?

What loft conversions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.

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 the Forth Valley?

In Scotland the key step is the building warrant, which must be granted before work begins. Planning permission is decided separately by the council, and work on shared walls is handled under your title deeds rather than a party wall act.

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.

What should I think about before starting?

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.

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.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Loft conversions: common questions

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.

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.

Do you work in the Forth Valley?

Yes. the Forth Valley is within our coverage for loft conversions, along with nearby Stirling and Falkirk.

Also covering

Learn more about loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Forth Valley.