A new play area for the children, a new entertainment room for blockbuster movie nights, a quiet place to get away from the hustle and bustle; your new loft conversion could be the space you’ve been dreaming of. But how much will it cost? Here’s a short article to give you a better understanding of loft conversion budgets and which factors can affect cost.
Size matters
A loft conversion is a great way to gain the extra space you’re looking for, but it’s the size, and the shape of this space that has a direct impact on the cost. The bigger the building, the more money you’ll need to budget. While there are many options when it comes to converting your loft, there are four main types you’ll likely consider – roof light, dormer, hip-to-gable, and Mansard. Each of these conversion types comes with their own benefits, but some could cost you a lot more than others.
Roof light conversions
If you’re on a tighter budget or your existing loft already has the size and space you’re looking for, this could be the loft conversion for you. Through the use of skylights maximising natural light, your loft will feel bigger without changing its existing structure, saving you money on extensions and alterations. And unless your property is in a conservation area, you probably won’t need planning permission either, which saves time on the project too
A roof light conversion can start from around £30,000, depending on requirements.
Dormer conversions
This is possibly the best price to space loft conversion option. Likely the most common, dormer conversions gain you extra space by extending your room beyond existing roof limitations. Generally built to the rear of the property, and often without the need for planning permission, it offers some of the most significant space gains while increasing head height too.
Dormer conversation prices can vary considerably, but you could expect to pay between £35,000 – £55,000, depending on project requirements.
Hip-to-gable conversions
A popular semi-detached house loft conversion, a hip-to-gable requires us to slightly alter the shape of your roof to make the most of your loft space.
Adapting and replacing roof structures requires more experienced professionals, as this involves removing the sloping side section to extend the A-frame to the flat wall of the home.
Due to the structural alterations, hip-to-gable conversions start from around £50,000, depending on project timescales and the size of the building.
Mansard
Mansard loft conversions are often considered the most desirable as they unlock a huge amount of space, but they also require the most significant budget.
Named after the 17th-century French Architect Francois Mansard, these stylish extensions are commonly found across London and offer considerable increases in space by altering the structure of your roof to an angle of around 72 degrees, with the added beauty of Juliette balconies or large Velux windows. Due to the nature of the conversion, you’ll most likely need to apply for planning permission when designing a Mansard loft.
Mansards are truly dependent on the size of the home, but they start from around £50,000.
The small details add-up
Once you’ve decided on your conversion method, you’ll then need to consider all the little extras that come with it. If it’s required, planning permission needs to be included in your budget. What’s the state of your existing insulation? You may need to replace it. Adding an en-suite to your new double guest room? Then don’t forget the plumbing and appliances. There are a lot of smaller details that often go overlooked in the initial planning stages of a loft conversion.
That’s where we come in. We’ll meet with you to discuss your vision, and to get a better understanding of precisely what you’re looking for. We’ll look at the best options for maximising space while staying within your budget. And we’ll start by providing you with a free, no-obligation valuation to give you a better idea of project costs.
Contact us today and get your free valuation from our loft conversion experts.
