FAQ
Thinking of carrying out a loft conversion to your property? Here at Increase Build we have met with and converted thousands of client’s homes with loft conversions all over South East London and the West Midlands, so why not take a look through our top loft conversion FAQ’s below. We answer all of the questions including the common how much does a loft conversion cost and how long does a loft conversion take.
Still can’t find what you are looking for? Our friendly advisors will be able to help you, Increase Build give us a call on 020 3802 4728 / 07388 524 442 and a member of the team will be able to assist you further.
Most Asked Questions
Here, we have our most asked questions, the first being how much is a loft conversion which we quote on with a Increase Build free site survey. The second most popular question includes how long does a loft conversion take which also varies between the extent of the work to be done. See more details below.
Most loft conversions will cost within the budget of £30K- £60K depending on the size and type but it really does depend on the specific plan and works required. Loft conversions come in a range of different shapes and sizes and Increase Build have fitted them all over South East London, so we are more than qualified to give you an accurate quote based on your vision to tell you how much a loft conversion costs. Different types of Loft conversions include Velux loft conversions, dormer loft conversions and hip to gable conversions, all of which have different associated costs. Please do not hesitate to get in touch and remember that your quote is not set in stone and a discussion with one of Simply Loft expert advisors can be had to help you come up with a design that is totally personal to you and fits your loft conversion cost budget. Click for more information on loft conversion costs in 2021.
How long does a loft conversion take? The length of time for a loft conversion to be completed does depend on what you’re having done, how big you want your loft extension to be as well as the current layout of your home.
Increase Build have converted lofts all over South East London and the West Midlands and on average a loft conversion is built in around 8 weeks +/- 2 weeks. However, depending on the size and specification of your loft conversion, this timescale can vary a little, so it is best to get in touch with the team to discuss the timescales for your loft conversion project.
Timescales
Increase Build can begin building your dream loft conversion in as little as 2-4 weeks. During the recent pandemic, these timings may fluctuate due to heavy demand in the market. On average, this is the same time frame, no matter where in London your property is based e.g. South East London. For our West Midlands customers, these same timescales are approximately the same.
Please note that this timescale is estimated under the assumption that you have all of your loft conversion plans, structural designs and party wall notices already in place. If you don’t have these in place, then work on an average 2-3 months to get the plans drawn up, your party wall etc. agreed in time for the construction phase to begin. Increase Build can cover the whole design and build process; from drawing up the plans, submitting them for approval and then building your loft conversion through our construction teams. If you already have plans and structural calculations in place, we are more than happy to quote for the construction element only.
From signing the contract, it can take 4-5 weeks for clients to approve a set of plans through our architectural team. Increase Build will do everything we can to make this process faster if a client is in a hurry; however, not only do we want to ensure that we are delivering the best possible service, but also want to be sure that the client is 100% satisfied with the proposed changes and plans for their loft conversion, before any work is undertaken. Our architectural teams cover both loft conversions for South East London and West Midland loft conversion projects. It is important to note that structural calculations also need to be calculated and any planning permission gained before construction on your loft conversion can begin.
Once a member of the Increase Build architectural team have measured up your loft conversion and drawn up plans, they are then submitted to your local planning department. If your design meets permitted development rules, then only a certificate of lawful development is needed to start work on your loft conversion. If you need to apply for planning permission, then you will need to wait approximately 8 weeks for a decision to be made.
Once a Increase Build representative has visited your property and carried out a loft conversion site survey, it will take no longer than seven working days for you to receive a comprehensive quotation from us via email. If you have not received your quotation in this time, then please check your junk email folder and then give our team a call, on 020 3802 4728 / 07388 524 442. Once you have received your quotation, you don’t need to worry that the figure is set in stone. Your quote can be adjusted if there is anything that you would like to remove or add – perhaps you have looked into our previous work and have decided you would like something a little different? Changing your quotation to allow for alterations to the plan is absolutely no problem and your surveyor will be able to help you. Don’t forget we also offer a price match guarantee if you find a like for like specification that is cheaper. Speak to our sales team for more information.
Planning
A party wall agreement is required if your home has a wall that is connected to another property on either side. Each neighbour will have to be informed of the proposed works using a party wall notice form at least two calendar months before the intended start of the build. The party wall agreement is there to protect you and your neighbour from issues that might arise due to work done on the party wall. It draws up an agreement between you and you neighbour on what needs to happen if there is a problem. By law your neighbour can insist you have one before the work starts. At Increase Build, we can advise you on this process and if necessary put you in touch with one of our certified party wall surveyors.
As long as your property is not in a conservation area or is a flat, you have permitted development rights (PD). This means you can usually develop your loft space without needing to gain planning permission. Your loft conversion development will need to keep within the permitted development constraints i.e. terraced properties are allowed to develop an additional 40 cubic metres of extra space. Semi-detached and detached properties = 50 cubic metres. If your loft conversion design meets these requirements then you can apply for a certificate of lawful development from your local council. If you do not meet permitted development rights, then you will need to apply for planning permission for your loft conversion project.
With planning permission, you are asking the council if your proposed scheme of works for your loft conversion is acceptable. It is open to rejection by them and/or your neighbours and will have to follow the local development plan. With permitted development rights, you are asking the council to simply confirm that your scheme fits within the permitted development criteria. The council will issue you a Lawful Development Certificate if they agree. Technically, you are not required to have the Lawful Development Certificate in place before the work starts and, in fact, there is no law stating you have to have it. This means that clients who request it, are able start their loft conversion without waiting for the Lawful Development Certificate thus saving time. It is advisable to seek expert advice before assuming your loft conversion meets permitted development rights.
Whether you’re in South East London, South East London or The West Midlands and whether you are converting a mansion block or a terraced home, there are certain head height requirements you must adhere to in order for your loft conversion to be compliant. As a rule of thumb, you need 2.2m between the top of the floor joist of the loft to the bottom of the ridge beam. Unsure? Book a free site survey with the Simply Loft team for accurate measurements and a no obligation quotation.
Types of Loft Conversions
There are many different types of loft conversions, including skylight or (velux), rear dormer, L-section Rear Dormer (double dormer), Mansard, L-section Mansard (double Mansard), Hip-to-Gable and Hip-to-Gable Rear Dormer. See our planning section and types of loft conversions article for further details. Our planning section also includes the right type of loft conversion for different types of property e.g. Terraced, 1930’s semi, Victorian etc. If you are still uncertain, then why not book a free site survey with a member of the Increase Build team to provide you with a loft conversion quote.
In order to convert your loft into a habitable room, you need to have a minimum of 2.2m head height at the highest point. You can check your ridge height with a standard tape measure, which will give you an indication if the space is convertible. The best way of assessing your loft conversion feasibility is to invite a Increase Build surveyor to your home for a site survey. They will check the measurements accurately for you, assess feasibility as well as designing a suitable layout for your new loft. Up to seven working days later, you will receive an accurate quotation to design and build your loft conversion project!
Yes it is also possible to build an extension at the same time as your loft conversion or separately. Please visit Increase Build Extend which is the specialist extension arm of our company. We are very often asked to build loft conversions and extensions at the same time for some of our clients. Simply Extend specialises in kitchen extensions, rear and side return extensions as well as general refurbishment and works South East London, from East London to South London, the West Midlands and everything in between.
Our sister company Increase Build Basement is able to carry out basement conversions to properties across the South East London and Oxford area. On some occasions we are also asked to complete loft conversions and extensions at the same time as a basement conversion. Please visit our website for further information or book in with one of our surveyors for a quotation.
Increase Build are a contractor that has tradespeople covering all aspects of domestic building work, whether this is fitting new kitchens and bathrooms or entire refurbishments. Having a loft conversion not only helps make the most of all the space in your home, it is also a chance to re-invent and re-design your living space. With this is mind, it’s common that other refurbishment work will take place at the same time. We have tradespeople covering all aspects of domestic building work, whether this is fitting new kitchens and bathrooms or entire refurbishments, so we can take on a wide spectrum of work at the same time as your loft conversion. Our sister brand Increase Build Extend can also be involved in your loft conversion project if there is other refurbishment or extension work required.
Loft conversions are considered one of the easier and least disruptive methods of converting a home with extra space. Assuming we do not need to lower your ceilings, the disruption is kept to a minimum as the work is confined to the loft space and most of the heavy work can often be carried out from scaffolding outside your property.
Why Choose Increase Build
Increase Build has our own insurances and ten year warranty scheme. For further questions on our high standards of service and protection, why not book a site survey with one of our surveyors.
Increase Build work South East London from South London, East London everything in between. We are also operating in the West Midlands covering most areas of Birmingham and as far south as Warwick and Leamington Spa. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a comprehensive list of areas we cover. You can also see case studies of loft conversions we have completed in different areas of London and the West Midlands.
Our prices may fluctuate from time to time due to material and labour costs. Our quotes are currently valid for 30 days. Please do not hesitate to contact our team to book in for a site survey with one of our surveying team.