A loft conversion is still one of the most popular ways to add space without moving house, and Brixton’s terraced housing stock is well suited to it. But the cost varies more than most homeowners expect going in.
Here’s what actually determines the price and roughly how long you should budget for the work to take.
Types of Loft Conversion and What They Cost
Rooflight (Velux) Conversion
The simplest option, since it doesn’t alter the roof structure. It’s usually the cheapest type, but only works if your existing loft already has enough head height.
Dormer Conversion
Adds a box-shaped extension to the rear roof slope, creating genuinely usable floor space and headroom. It costs more than a rooflight conversion but suits far more properties.
Hip-to-Gable Conversion
Common on semi-detached and end-of-terrace houses with a sloped side roof. Extending the gable wall upward adds significant space, at a higher cost than a dormer.
Mansard Conversion
The most involved option, altering the whole rear roof slope to near-vertical. It delivers the most usable space of any loft conversion type, and sits at the top of the price range accordingly.
How Much Does It Cost for a Loft Conversion?
It’s the first question almost every homeowner asks, and it depends heavily on which type suits your property. A rooflight conversion sits at the lower end of what it costs for a loft conversion, while a mansard sits well above it.
Bathrooms, staircases, and structural work all affect what it costs for a loft conversion too — an en-suite bathroom alone adds plumbing runs that a simple bedroom conversion doesn’t need.
How Long Does It Take to Do a Loft Conversion?
As a general guide, a straightforward rooflight conversion often takes around four to six weeks. A dormer or hip-to-gable conversion typically runs six to ten weeks, and a mansard can take longer still given the scale of the roof work involved.
How long it takes to do a loft conversion also depends on planning requirements — a project needing full planning permission, rather than permitted development, adds weeks before work even starts on site.
What Affects Cost and Timeline
- Roof structure and pitch, which determine how much head height you’re working with
- Whether the project falls under permitted development or needs full planning permission
- Party wall agreements with neighbours, required for most loft conversions on terraced or semi-detached houses
- Additional plumbing for an en-suite or extra bathroom
- Structural work needed to support new floor loads
Finding the Right Builders in Brixton
Brixton’s mix of Victorian terraces and converted properties means not every builder has genuine experience with the roof structures common in the area. When comparing builders in Brixton homeowners recommend, ask specifically about past loft conversion projects rather than general renovation work.
Why Homeowners Choose Truestone Construction Ltd
Truestone Construction Ltd manages loft conversions across Brixton from planning and party wall agreements through to the final fit-out, keeping one team accountable for the whole project.
Thinking about converting your loft? Get in touch with Truestone Construction Ltd at https://truestoneconstruction.co.uk/
