Loft conversions in the Scottish Borders

Covering The Scottish Borders

Our coverage across the Scottish Borders includes Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles and Kelso.

Because the Scottish Borders covers a wide area, we confirm availability after the first call and include any travel costs in the written quote rather than adding them later.

Homes in the Scottish Borders

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 included in a loft conversion in the Scottish Borders?

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
New floor joists, steels and staircase
Dormer or rooflights, insulation and plasterboard

How much should I budget for a loft conversion?

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 Scottish Borders?

Projects in Scotland need a building warrant from the council before any building work starts, and a completion certificate once it is finished. Planning permission is a separate decision. The Party Wall etc. Act does not apply in Scotland; shared walls are governed by title deeds and the law of the tenement where relevant.

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 the Scottish Borders homeowners check first?

Head height under the ridge decides whether a conversion is practical.
The new staircase usually takes space from the landing or a bedroom below.

From first call to completion

Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

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 Scottish Borders?

Yes. the Scottish Borders is within our coverage for loft conversions, along with nearby Hawick and Galashiels.

Also covering

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