If you’ve got the budget to do it, converting your loft is a brilliant idea. For many families or work-from-home professionals, it can provide the perfect alternative to moving home or adding an extension.
However, whether you’ve already decided to convert your loft, or are just tempted by the idea a loft conversion at this stage, you might have one burning question on your mind.
How much will it cost?
It’s a fair question and one we’ll aim to answer as best we can. But, before we do that, let’s consider some of the advantages of a loft conversion.
The benefits of converting your loft
There are more reasons to convert your loft than you might think:
- it might add value: not guaranteed, but there’s a good chance you’ll see an increase of up to 20% in your property’s valuation following a loft conversion;
- it’s relatively straightforward: certainly, much simpler than installing an extension;
- it’s cost-effective: a loft conversion is usually a much cheaper way of extending your home without building another room; and
- it’s versatile: there are so many things you can do with your loft – from transforming it into a personal gym, to using it as a home office or even an extra bedroom.
So, now we know why you might want to undertake a loft conversion, let’s consider how much it might cost.
Room-in-the-loft Velux conversion
If you simply want to turn your loft into a room, you’ll need to account for the insulation, staircase, skylights, and necessary fixtures and fittings. Bear in mind that this option is usually only possible if you have a head height of at least 2.5 metres,
The cost will depend on the quality you want, but budget for around £15,000 – £20,00 for completion.
Dormer loft conversion
This is one of the most popular loft conversion types.
Sometimes referred to as a kennel, the dormer is a small, flat-roofed extension which protrudes outwards from the back of the house (sometimes, from the side), and results in a box shape.
Many people decide to build two dormers, side by side, to create a nice symmetrical effect, and to create additional space.
You will need a headroom of at least 2.3 metres for this type of loft conversion.
As you’d expect, these are a little more expensive than standard room-in-the-loft conversions, and can range from anywhere between £20,000 and £30,000.
Hip to gable conversion
This type of loft conversion converts the sloped side of your roof into a new, vertical, flat gable wall, making the sloping part of your roof the same height as the rest of the loft, thus providing considerably more overall, usable space.
This is a popular option, but you will need a significant budget of up to £45,000 for this loft conversion option.
Note that it is not possible to carry out a hip to gable conversion on a terraced house, as there is no gable end.
Where the cost can add up: changing the roof
If you’re lucky (and most people find they are), you won’t need to do much, if anything, to the actual structure of your roof.
However, depending on the style of your house and your requirements for the loft conversion (for instance, to significantly increase your living space), the roof structure may need to be changed.
If this is the case (for instance, it’s not the right shape to accommodate the space you require), you’ll almost certainly need planning permission. That will add to the hassle, but also the cost, which could go up to as much as £48,000 – if not more.
Wrapping up
The approximate costs above should only be considered as a rough guide.
Obviously, there are many elements that can increase or decrease the costs of a loft conversion, so we always recommend bringing in at least two professional builders to quote for your specific circumstances and requirements.
And remember that all types of loft conversions will need to meet the current building regulations (see your local authority’s website), so if you intend to complete the work yourself you must be certain that you have the appropriate skills to do so.