West & North-West London
Loft conversions built to regs, not to the minimum
Dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard or a simple Velux conversion — including the staircase, the fire-rated doors and the building control certificate that makes it count as a bedroom when you sell.
A loft is only a bedroom if it is signed off as one. That means head height, a protected escape route, fire doors on the landing, mains-wired interlinked alarms and floor joists sized for living load rather than storage. We see plenty of conversions done without any of it, and they become a problem at survey. Every conversion we do goes through building control from the start.
What the work covers
- Structural floor joists and steel beams
- Dormer construction or roof reconfiguration
- Staircase design and installation
- Fire doors, protected escape route and interlinked alarms
- Insulation to current regs, electrics and heating
- En-suite plumbing where wanted
What it costs
A dormer conversion with an en-suite typically runs £55,000 to £85,000 in West London. Velux-only conversions are considerably less; mansards more. The roof structure drives the price more than the floor area does.
Loft Conversions by area
Each area has its own planning position and housing stock. Pick yours for the local detail.
Other services
Loft Conversions — common questions
Is my loft tall enough to convert?
You want roughly 2.2 metres from the floor joists to the ridge before work starts. Below that it can still be possible by lowering ceilings below or altering the roof, but it changes the job substantially. We measure on the first visit.
Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?
Rear dormers often sit within permitted development, subject to volume limits of 40 cubic metres for terraces and 50 for semis and detached. Anything facing a highway, or in a conservation area, usually needs an application.
Does a loft conversion need building regulations approval?
Always. Structure, fire escape, insulation and stairs are all covered. Without the certificate your conveyancer will flag it as an unsigned-off room when you come to sell, which costs you more than the sign-off would have.
Where does the staircase go?
Usually over the existing stairs, which keeps the landing usable, but the position depends on head height at the top. We set this out at the design stage because it affects the room you end up with.
Thinking about a project?
Send a few details and we will come out, measure properly and put a written, itemised quote in front of you.
We reply to every quote request within 24 hours.