What is the average cost of a loft conversion?
How much does a loft conversion cost in 2024?
In 2024 the average cost of loft conversion in London is between £45,000 and £75,000. Most Londoners convert an attic into a dormer because it adds extra space and light.
A loft conversion is a great way to add extra space to your home and increase the value of your property. A loft conversion is the type of construction work that requires lots of planning and preparation. Cost is one of the things you need to consider before converting your attic.
The roof conversion cost in London is different, unlike other cities in the UK. The prices of materials have significantly risen, and loft builders are still quoting you by the old prices. So you don't run away, and they can win your job. With the help of this guide, you can challenge your builder on the validity of their quote. Or to find out a ballpark figure before getting onboard with your loft conversion project.
As a general guide, a 35m2 conversion can cost from as little as £45,000 up to around £75,000 or more. Loft conversion costs, as you might expect, will depend upon a multitude of factors.
Dormer
The price of dormer loft conversion largely depends on the specification of the building and the number of dormers. You can choose to have dormers on the roof as well as side dormers.
The cost of dormer loft conversion consists of dormer windows cost, dormer roof cost, staircase cost, added insulation cost, costs of electrics, lighting and heating, as well as the cost of remodeling works. You must be prepared to pay at least £65.000.
By creating extra space and not being restricted by sloping walls, dormers can boost property values quite significantly relative to a standard loft conversion.
Hip to Gable
The size of the overall loft has a significant impact on hip to gable loft conversion cost. The average loft conversion price is £75,000.
Velux
What is great about this type of loft conversion is that less work needs to be done and, of course, this affects the price. The average velux loft conversion price is £45,000.
Loft Conversion with Ensuite
Adding ensuite will result in a higher bill. So, you should expect to pay around £50,000 - £60,000 for a loft conversion with ensuite
Terraced House Loft Conversion Cost
The cost of a terraced house loft conversion depends on many factors such as the project’s size, internal specifications and many others. Traditionally, terrace homeowners in London expect to pay at least £65,000 for a loft conversion.
Mansard
A mansard loft conversion is the most expensive type of conversion because it involves changing the entire roof structure and adding a whole new storey to the building. You need to pay £70,000 to get the construction work done.
LONDON LOFT CONVERSION PRICES
Contact London loft conversion specialist for your loft quote.
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price starting from £50.000+VAT
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price starting from £55.000 +VAT
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price starting from £45.000 +VAT
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price starting from £55.000 +VAT
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structural work starting from £75.000 +VAT
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price starting from £35.000 +VAT
What Additional Loft Conversion Costs Do You Need to Consider?
VAT sometimes isn’t included in the figures, either. So, before placing too much faith in bottom line prices, make sure you’re comparing like with like.
Other factors to remember are the rules and regulations around loft conversions, and especially their associated fees, which may include:
Planning permission — Not every loft conversion will require planning permission, but there are instances where obtaining it is compulsory. The application could end up costing you around £250. The final figure will depend on your local authority and where you live, e.g., a listed building, Conservation Area, National Park, or Area of Natural Beauty (AONB).
If you are able to use the ‘permitted development route’, obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is advisable. Whilst not essential, it does establish that the loft conversion is within its legal borders. They cost around £100 - £250, being half the cost of the relevant planning permission and can avoid issues on future sales.
Structural engineer — Depending on the level of structural alterations to your loft, you should expect to pay between £550 to £1900 for structural design fees, site visits and calculations.
Party walls — If you share an adjoining wall with a neighbour, then you will most certainly need a Party Wall Agreement. This is a requirement of the Party Wall Act 1996. Costs can vary depending on the professional advisers engaged, but there are Party Wall specialists who offer the complete service for fees of around £1,250.
What is the Cheapest Type of Loft Conversion to Undertake?
The most cost-effective method of loft conversion is a rooflight or Velux loft conversion (also referred to as an internal conversion).
Here, the loft conversion cost savings come from the simplicity of the design. At its most basic level, it can merely entail installing rooflights and reinforcing the attic floor. The rooflights can also be installed flush to the existing roof structure, preserving the characteristics and beauty of the home's façade, if that’s an important factor.
Rooflight conversions have other benefits above cost savings, too, which may influence decision making. For one, they are the least disruptive, as larger structural changes to the roof aren’t required.
They are also quicker to complete than other traditional loft conversion methods. The majority of the effort is concentrated on transforming the existing loft space into the desired living environment. They don’t usually require planning permission, either, as rooflight windows aren’t regarded as overlooking neighbouring properties.
A local Estate agent has expressed that houses with converted lofts are more attractive and sell for a higher price than non-converted ones. So on the sold date, you can recover the extra expenses incurred from conversion.
If you want to know exactly how much does a loft conversion cost in London you will need to get a quote form London loft conversion specialist. If it is not your property then an average cost of loft conversion varies between £45,000 and £90,000 depending on your requirement. Basic (small) conversion is the cheapest option. Even with the budget of £30,000, you’ll be able to get a small loft converted if you willing to compromise the quality of work or there isn’t much structural work involved.
Terraced house LOFT DESIGN by Big Loft London.
Will a Loft Conversion Add Value to Your Home?
Converting your loft is often quoted as one of the simplest methods to add value to your home. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) state that a loft conversion could add up to 25% to the value of your property. That’s an uplift of around £44k on a typical £175k home. Moving house for the purpose of gaining extra space is very costly, with the RICS also stating that the cost of a loft conversion would be a third of the cost of moving home.
Onsite
Why Have Loft Conversion Costs Increased in 2022?
There are several factors behind the increase in the cost of loft conversions over the last 24 months.
Timber is the most used material for a typical loft conversion, and timber prices were at a record 70% high throughout most of 2021, in part due to the slowing down of the construction materials shortage experienced in the ‘lockdown summer’.
Timber supply is still at a record 20-year low in 2022. There are still many other external influences affecting material prices, e.g., log export bans by some timber-producing countries, Brexit port issues, and haulage driver shortages.
Insulation is the other primary material used when converting a loft, mainly in the form of PIR Board. This is used to line the floors, walls and roof of a loft, adding thermal efficiency in the process.
Insulation is an important element to any loft conversion, as more efficient insulation equals lower energy costs, particularly relevant in the face of the current energy price increases. Unfortunately, PIR Board also increased in price by around 10% in 2021, due to the lack of MDI chemicals required to be manufacture it.
The construction industry was showing signs of recovering from the 2021 price hikes, however with rising energy prices and the impacts of the Ukraine war, they're unlikely to drop in 2022.
How Can You Reduce Loft Conversion Costs?
If your budget is tight, you should start by considering whether your space requirements can be achieved with a simple rooflight conversion, this being the most cost-effective type.
Raising a roof can also significantly increase costs. So, if you have enough standing area in your loft to create habitable space, you may be able to save money by limiting any extension ambitions and allowing your loft conversion contractor to work within your loft's current dimensions.
If you are more confident with DIY and/or project management, then you may wish to consider a ‘shell loft conversion’. This is where structural works, i.e., dormer, roof timbers and floor joists, are completed by a builder, leaving an empty shell for other individual trades to be employed directly, or allowing for DIY works to commence.
Adding windows can seem like a necessity, but you may want to consider using more cost-effective solutions to bring in more natural light, such as sun tubes, which are significantly less expensive than dormer windows.
Keeping a tight rein on your budget for finishes can dramatically cut the cost of your loft conversion as well. Bathroom appliances and finishes, for example, often vary hugely in price and can add several thousands of pounds to your project.
It’s essential to shop around when undertaking your loft conversion project, as the same look and quality can usually be achieved at a fraction of the price. Take advantage of seasonal sales, and remember that it’s much easier to upgrade your décor in the future when budget allows, than it is to change any fixed aspects of the conversion.
Our Loft Conversion Projects
Hampstead, London NW11
Dormer Loft Conversion
New dormer loft conversion, bespoke timber windows and roof lights were added to this top floor master bedroom conversion to add more natural light and liven up the living space. A new staircase was created to maximise the available floor area….
Islington, London N5
L Shaped Loft Conversion
Set in the southern part of Islington this beautiful, grand terraced house was calling out for something special. Having been the family home for more than 10 years. The time had come for a major re-think and re-arrangement, to suit the changing needs of the family. The primary ambition was to increase living space adding 2 loft bedrooms and loft bathroom. The owners wanted to open up the interior space, to create a bright, spacious, modern, family-orientated terraced house.
Finchley Central, London N3
Hip to gable loft conversion
Woodlands Avenue is our loft extension of a Victorian house in Finchley, North London. It was driven by the will and enthusiasm of the owner, Mick, who's desire for a stylish and contemporary family home kept the project focused on achieving his goals. Our design contrasts restored Victorian interiors with a strikingly simple, modern and stylish loft extension. Dormer is clad with slates, Bespoke made timber loft door and sash window accomplish this stunning loft conversion.