Covering Whitstable
Whitstable sits 23 miles east of Maidstone, with Herne Bay 5 miles to the east and Canterbury 6 miles to the south-east.
Homes in the South East
The South East has a lot of 1930s and post-war semi-detached housing, well suited to rear extensions and hip-to-gable loft conversions, alongside period properties in conservation areas that need a more careful design.
What is a loft conversion?
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 Whitstable?
Use these ranges to budget for loft conversions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| 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.
What can affect a loft conversion?
- Head height under the ridge decides whether a conversion is practical.
- Fire safety rules can mean new fire doors on the floors 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.
- 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.
Your questions answered
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.
Can we live at home during a loft conversion?
Yes. Most of the work is done from scaffolding until the staircase goes in near the end.
Do you work in Whitstable?
Yes. Whitstable is within our coverage for loft conversions, along with nearby Herne Bay and Canterbury.
Other towns nearby
- Loft conversions in Herne Bay
- Loft conversions in Canterbury
- Loft conversions in Faversham
- Loft conversions in Sittingbourne
Learn more about loft conversions, or see every project we cover in Whitstable.