Covering Herne Bay
Our coverage around Herne Bay (CT6) also includes Whitstable, Canterbury and Faversham.
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 loft conversion involve?
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.
- Loft survey and head-height check
- Planning or lawful development certificate
- En-suite, electrics, heating and fire safety upgrades
What is the guide price for a loft conversion in Herne Bay?
Guide prices for loft conversions, including VAT where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey.
| 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 |
What approvals does a loft conversion need in England?
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it 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. 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 Herne Bay homeowners check first?
- Head height under the ridge decides whether a conversion is practical.
- Fire safety rules can mean new fire doors on the floors below.
What are the steps?
- 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.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
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 Herne Bay?
Yes. Herne Bay is within our coverage for loft conversions, along with nearby Whitstable and Canterbury.
Loft conversions in nearby towns
- Loft conversions in Whitstable
- Loft conversions in Canterbury
- Loft conversions in Faversham
- Loft conversions in Margate
Learn more about loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Herne Bay.