Loft conversions in Grays

Covering Grays

We work in Grays (RM17) and the places around it, including South Ockendon, Gravesend and Dartford.

Homes in the East of England

The East of England has a large stock of post-war and modern estate housing alongside period homes in market towns, which makes garage conversions, single-storey extensions and loft conversions popular.

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.

Planning or lawful development certificate
New floor joists, steels and staircase
En-suite, electrics, heating and fire safety upgrades

What is the guide price for a loft conversion in Grays?

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

How is a loft conversion approved in Grays?

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 should Grays homeowners check first?

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.

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.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.

What people ask before starting

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.

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 Grays?

Yes. Grays is within our coverage for loft conversions, along with nearby South Ockendon and Gravesend.

Loft conversions in nearby towns

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