Loft conversions in the Lothians

Covering The Lothians

We cover the Lothians, including Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg, and the towns around them.

Homes in the Lothians

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 goes into 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
New floor joists, steels and staircase

How much does a loft conversion cost in the Lothians?

Typical ranges for loft conversions. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.

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 the Lothians?

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.

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.
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.

Your questions answered

How long does a loft conversion take?

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

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.

Who deals with the council for a project in the Lothians?

We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.

Loft conversions in nearby towns

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