Survey
Determine the roof height, inspect rafters, chimney breasts, and potential stair locations.
A workroom above the rest of the house
Answer a few questions about the job. It's free and there is no obligation.
More space for a growing family or a home office? Tell us about your loft in a few clicks and get a free, no-obligation quote from a loft conversion specialist in Southampton.
The style of your home and its roof determine which loft conversions are typical. Select both below to discover the options a specialist is likely to discuss, from the most common to the least frequent.
Type of house
Roof shape
Hipped means the roof slopes on the sides as well as front and back. Ask a specialist if you are not sure which you have.
A guide to what is common, not a promise. The right choice also depends on the height of the roof space and on your street.
Each one changes the roof differently. Pick a type to see what it involves.
Roof windows are fitted into the current roof slope. It's the least costly and least intrusive option, provided there's adequate height available.
Homes with sufficient roof height and minimal need for extra floor space.
Height of the ridge, presence of chimney breasts, and possible staircase location.
A box shape added to the rear slope, increasing both floor space and headroom. Typically chosen for terraces.
Terraced or semi-detached homes needing a full-height space to the rear.
Whether it qualifies for permitted development and its appearance to nearby homes.
The angled side of a hipped roof is converted to a vertical wall, allowing for a larger floor and staircase space.
End-of-terrace, semi-detached, and detached homes with hipped roofs.
Party wall considerations and the side wall's appearance from the street.
The back slope is converted to be nearly vertical with a flat top, providing maximum space and often requiring planning permission.
Terraced houses where maximising floor space is crucial.
Planning permission requirements and its street view appearance.
Six steps, in this order. Planning and party wall paperwork can run alongside the drawings.
Determine the roof height, inspect rafters, chimney breasts, and potential stair locations.
Create architectural plans and calculate the structure for steel beams and the new floor.
Check planning requirements or secure a lawful development certificate if it's under permitted development. Serve party wall notices if applicable.
Submit either an application or a building notice, followed by inspection visits during the project.
Construct the steel framework and floor first, then proceed with the roof structure, stairs, insulation, electrical work, and plastering. The on-site work spans weeks.
Obtain a completion certificate from building control. Retain it, as a solicitor for a potential buyer will request it.
A loft conversion touches the structure of the house and the walls you share. These are the answers worth having in writing.
Southampton has Victorian terraces around Portswood, Freemantle and the centre, interwar semis in suburbs such as Shirley and Bassett, and larger postwar estates. Southampton City Council handles planning, and some areas are conservation areas. Type your postcode in the quote form to check yours.