Services
Loft conversions
A bedroom, an office or a bedroom with an en-suite, built into roof space you already have.
Free no obligation quotes.
What it covers
Converting the roof space you already have into a room, with the floor, the stairs and the fire protection a new room needs.
Planning
Many lofts are permitted development: up to 40 cubic metres of extra roof space on a terraced house and 50 on other houses, nothing higher than the ridge, nothing beyond the front roof slope facing the road, and side windows obscure-glazed.
In a conservation area or the National Park there are no permitted development rights for roof extensions, so you need planning permission.
Building regulations
Building regulations always apply when a loft becomes a room. The new floor has to carry the load.
Stairs need 2 metres of headroom, or 1.9 metres at the centre and 1.8 metres at the side where space is tight.
A new storey above 4.5 metres needs a protected route out, with fire doors and mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms.
Bats and neighbours
Roof work can affect bats. A survey may be needed, and a licence if bats use the building.
If steels bear into a shared wall, next door gets a party wall notice.
What you need to know
- Planning
- Often not needed, within volume limits. Needed for a roof extension in a conservation area or the National Park.
- Building regulations
- Always needed when a loft becomes a room.
- Fire safety
- A new storey above 4.5 metres needs a protected way out, fire doors and interlinked mains smoke alarms.
- Structural engineer
- Calculations for the new floor and any steels. Building control usually asks for them.
- Party wall
- A notice to next door if a steel bears into the shared wall.
- Bats
- A survey may be needed before the roof is opened up, and a licence if bats use it.
These are the general rules, from GOV.UK and the Planning Portal. Every house is different, so check your own job with the council or building control.
How a job runs
Step 1: Enquire
Ring, or send a few lines about the house and your postcode.
Step 2: Visit and quote
We come out, look at the roof, the joists and where a staircase could land, and give you a free no obligation quote.
Step 3: Build
Then the paperwork, the conversion and sign-off.
Free no obligation quotes.
Questions about loft conversions
Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?
Many do not. Under permitted development the extra roof space can be up to 40 cubic metres on a terraced house and 50 on other houses. It cannot go higher than the ridge or beyond the front roof slope facing the road, side windows must be obscure-glazed, and balconies are out. In a conservation area or the National Park, a dormer or other roof extension needs planning permission. Rooflights alone can still be permitted development, so check with the planning authority (the council, or the National Park Authority inside the Park).
Is my loft big enough to convert?
It comes down to the height from the ceiling joists to the ridge, the roof pitch, and where a staircase can land with the headroom it needs. The quickest way to know is for someone to go up and look.
What are the rules for loft stairs?
Normal stairs need 2 metres of headroom. In a loft conversion where there is not enough room, 1.9 metres at the centre of the stair and 1.8 metres at the side is acceptable. A private stair can be no steeper than 42 degrees. An alternating tread stair is only allowed when a normal stair will not fit and it serves one habitable room.
What fire safety work does a loft conversion need?
A new storey above 4.5 metres needs a protected route out. Usually that means the stair enclosed in fire-resisting construction down to an exit, fire doors onto it, and existing doors upgraded where needed. Mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms go in the stairway at each level. Escaping through windows above first floor is not considered safe.
What if bats live in my roof?
Work on a loft or roof may affect bats, which are a protected species. A survey may be needed before work starts, and if bats are using the building, a licence may be required. Natural England gives advice. It is worth checking early, because a survey has to happen before the roof is opened up.
Will my neighbours be affected?
On a semi or a terrace they might be. If a steel beam has to bear into the shared wall, that is cutting into a party wall, and it needs a party wall notice at least 2 months before work starts. Your neighbour can agree in writing, or surveyors settle it. Ask us for a free no obligation quote and we will look at your roof.
Get a quote
Ask for a free no obligation quote
Ring, or send a few lines about the job and your postcode.