How Much Does a Loft Conversion Cost?

For every homeowner, home improvements are often high on the priority list. 

Whether you’ve just moved into a new property or have lived there for years, you’re bound to always find things you can improve. 

One of the most popular types of home improvement is a loft conversion.

Thousands of properties across the UK have had loft conversions, as people look for innovative ways to extend the available space in their homes.  

But before you agree to a loft conversion, you’re going to want to know the price. 

In this article, we’ll answer the question ‘how much does a loft conversion cost?’ providing you with all the information you need to know about the process so you can make an informed decision. 

Read on to find out more.

What Is A Loft Conversion?

First, let’s establish exactly what a loft conversion is. 

While many people will be familiar with the term, it is actually a more layered process than you may think.

In short, a loft conversion is the process of transforming a loft or attic space into a functional room that can be used for a wide range of purposes.

In most homes, lofts are used for storage purposes. Christmas decorations, old clothes, school books, photo albums, keepsakes and a whole host of miscellaneous objects typically find their way into lofts and attics over the years.

However, if you’re finding your property short on space, a loft conversion is a great way to extend a house without having to build a new structure and while utilising your existing infrastructure. 

Loft conversions can be used for:

• Bedrooms
• Offices
• Gyms
• Living spaces 
• Storage rooms
• And more

Benefits Of A Loft Conversion

A loft conversion offers numerous benefits, making it an attractive choice for homeowners who may be looking to enhance their living space and improve their property’s functionality. Some of the key advantages:

Increased living space: Undoubtedly the main advantage of a loft conversion is that it adds an extra room to your home which can be used as a bedroom, office, playroom, gym or anything else you desire. Plus, it makes use of the often underutilised attic space, optimising the square footage of your home. 

Increased property value: Adding a loft conversion can result in a higher market value for a property. In some cases, a house’s value can be boosted by up to 20% with a conversion. This makes it a wise investment and a home with more usable space is also usually more appealing to potential buyers. 

Cost-effective alternative: In many cases, having a loft conversion is generally less expensive than buying a new home or building a property extension. Plus, there is less disruption compared to relocating or undergoing major structural changes. We’ll go into greater detail regarding the costs of a loft conversion later in the article.

Energy efficiency: Loft conversions typically involve adding insulation which can greatly improve the overall energy efficiency of a home. And, with better insulation comes lower heating and utility bills. 

Minimal planning permission required: Many loft conversions do not need any kind of planning permission. While this is assessed on a case-by-case basis, unless the work will extend or alter the roof space then it will not be required. Therefore, the process is generally simpler and faster compared to other types of home extensions.    

Overall, a loft conversion is a practical, efficient and versatile way to enhance your living space and increase the value of your home. 

How Much Does A Loft Conversion Cost?

Now we’ve outlined what a loft conversion costs and the different benefits they offer, let’s answer the question ‘how much is a loft conversion?’

There is no one answer to this, as the cost of your loft conversion will vary depending on a variety of factors including location, size and the type of conversion you are having done. The complexity of the project and your chosen design finishes will also impact this. 

However, on average, a standard loft conversion of around 20m² will roughly cost between £20,000 – £50,000. 

As mentioned, one of the main factors impacting the cost of a loft conversion is the type you are going for.

Average costs in terms of conversion type are as follows:

• Velux – £15,000-£25,000 
• Dormer – £20,000-£40,000
• Hip-to-gable – £30,000-£50,000
• Mansard – £40,000-£70,000

Each loft conversion brings its own range of benefits, and you’ll need to think carefully about the best option for you.

In the section below we’ll explore the different types of loft conversions.

Different Types of Loft Conversions

With so many different types of loft conversions out there, it’s important that you select the best option for your property.

Let’s take a closer look at the vast range of loft conversions you can choose from.

Velux Loft Conversion

Perhaps the most common, and often cheapest, type of loft conversion is a velux conversion. 

Also known as a roof light or skylight conversion, this type of conversion involves installing roof lights or a skylight into the attic without impacting the roof’s structure. The main advantage of a velux conversion is that they can help improve your home’s ventilation while adding an increase of around 20% more natural light. 

A velux conversion costs on average £15,000-£25,000.

Dormer Loft Conversion 

Another popular choice is a dormer conversion. 

This type of loft conversion offers a great way to add additional headroom and floorspace to an attic, as the roof is extended vertically. They are ideal if you’re looking to add a new bedroom to a property. 

On average, the cost of a dormer conversion is around £20,000-£40,000. 

Hip-to-gable Loft Conversion 

A hip-to-gable loft conversion is all about extending the hip roof to create something known as a gable end. When this is done, more internal space is opened up which can be utilised in any way you desire. Typically, this type of conversion is ideal for properties which feature a terraced and hipped roof design.

You can expect to pay between £30,000-£50,000 for this type of conversion depending on the complexity of the project. 

Mansard Loft Conversion 

One of the most complicated and expensive loft conversion options is a mansard conversion. In these instances, you need to change the shape of the roof itself in order to create vertical walls. However, despite their price, they remain popular as they provide homeowners with the maximum amount of additional living space. 

Essentially, it is like adding a whole new storey to the property. 

Due to the complexity of the work, mansard loft conversions range from £40,000-£70,000.

Bungalow Loft Conversion

If you own a bungalow, then converting the loft can be a great way to add additional living space in a property that is often smaller than average and which is usually across just one storey. 

A bungalow conversion can take many forms, including the aforementioned velux, dormer and mansard types. 

To convert a bungalow, you can expect to pay around £20,000-£50,000.

Modular Loft Conversion 

Modular conversions are unusual but not completely unheard of. 

This type of conversion involves installing a prefabricated unit to the property’s existing structure. This minimises disruption and construction is far quicker than a traditional conversion. If you’re looking for a speedy turnaround and more cost-effective options, then a modular conversion may be the perfect solution for you.

On average, modular lost conversions cost £20,000-£40,000. 

Other Cost Factors to Consider 

As well as the costs involved with the loft conversion itself, there are other costs that you need to consider and factor into your budget.

These include:

Insulation: An essential material for regulating temperature and energy efficiency in your loft and home generally, insulation materials are often made from fibreglass, mineral wool or rigid foam boards. Whatever the case, costs will vary depending on the thickness and type of material you have chosen. On average, insulation will cost you around £20-£50 per square metre.  

Windows: When converting a loft into an additional room of your house, you’ll almost certainly want to add windows to provide the space with natural lights and enhance its aesthetics. Windows cost between £300-£1,500 on average.

Roofing materials: While converting your loft, you may also choose to change or update the materials on your roof. This could include tiles, slates and metal roofing. Roofing costs will vary depending on the type and quality of the material. On average, you can expect to pay between £40-£100 per square metre for your roofing materials.

Stairs: There’s no point adding a new roof to the house if you can’t access it, so you will need to purchase stairs alongside any conversion. The cost of stairs will depend on the design, material and complexity of the installation process. They tend to cost between £1,000-£5,000. 

General fixtures and fitting:- As well as the core features, you will also need to factor in the costs of other fixtures and fittings such as plumbing, hardware, lighting and more. Again, the costs for this will fully depend on the quality of the materials selected but you should budget between £500-£3,000.