Concept Lofts / Hertfordshire
Make room for the way your family lives. We assess your roof, show you a proposed layout and manage your Hertfordshire loft conversion from design through to the finished build.
Photograph: Concept Lofts project in Hoddesdon · View case study
A considered first step / Hertfordshire
A bedroom and en-suite, a separate study, or two rooms for a growing family: the right loft layout starts with your existing house. Across Hertfordshire, we look at roof shape, structure and stair position together so the new floor works with the rooms below. Your free consultation and proposed floorplans help you compare practical options before committing.
01 / Built work
Across Herts, hipped family semis, larger detached roofs, suitable terraces with rear additions and bungalows ask for different approaches. Generous main suites only work when the stairs and rooms below still make sense.
Hoddesdon / Hip to Gable
This hip to gable conversion was completed in 2022 This conversion added a huge master bedroom, ensuite and walk in wardrobe Having glazed doors into the wardrobe space and 2 sets of french…
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Ware / Pitched Roof Dormer
This Conversion on a new build property in ware consisted of 5 pitched roof dormers finished in Hardi Plank, being on a corner plot out clients were concerned about a full with dormer as…
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Hitchin / L-Shaped Dormer
This l shape dormer was completed in late 2022 Concept created a new master bedroom, very large bathroom in the outrigger part of the dormer which included a double sink, freestanding bath…
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Cheshunt / Dormer
Concept were able to create a full rear dormer conversion which added a master bedroom, walk in wardrobe & ensuite.
View case study ↗A project in detail / Ware
On this newer home in Ware, the owners were concerned about the street appearance of a full-width dormer on a corner plot. The design therefore used five pitched-roof dormers, finished in Hardie Plank, with a full planning application for the proposed scheme.
The conversion created two bedrooms and a shower room. The clients chose to use one room as an office and wardrobe space, showing how the same loft layout can support different family needs.
The right roof design balances usable space with how the house looks from outside.
Explore the Ware project ↗A real completed project / Hoddesdon
02 / Roof and property
A bungalow may offer room for a bedroom and bathroom, but the new stair starts on the ground floor and roof structure, height and fire design need assessing. Trussed or low roofs may be restructured where feasible; they are not ruled out by a blanket head-height number. Every option below is assessment-dependent; a property type alone does not establish planning eligibility.
| Property or roof | Option worth investigating | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Terrace or semi with usable rear roof | Rear dormer ↗ | Available roof volume, height, appearance and stair landing |
| Semi or end terrace with a hipped side roof | Hip-to-gable ↗ | Hipped roof geometry and the new gable design |
| Hipped roof with usable rear slope | Hip-to-gable + rear dormer ↗ | Both additions share the relevant roof-volume allowance |
| House with a suitable rear addition | L-shaped dormer ↗ | Rear-addition roof, connection and combined structural design |
| Roof with enough usable space without enlargement | Rooflight / Velux ↗ | Still needs structural floor, stairs, fire and insulation design |
| Roof where a changed profile is appropriate | Mansard ↗ | Often needs a planning application and substantial roof work |
| Bungalow with conversion potential | Bungalow conversion ↗ | Ground-floor stair position, roof height and structure, fire design and planning |
Think about daylight, privacy and solar shading alongside insulation and ventilation. Eaves can make useful storage, but an en-suite needs drainage and sensible access. The new stairs should not take away the very bedroom space you are trying to gain.
Compare a main bedroom and bathroom against two smaller rooms on a measured layout. The best roof option balances headroom and useable space with the rest of the home.
Read the staircase guide ↗03 / Budget and scope
Cost depends on roof form, usable floor area, structure, staircase, bathroom and specification. An itemised, property-specific quote follows assessment. A rooflight scheme generally has a lower structural scope than a larger combined roof enlargement, but even rooflight projects need a new floor, compliant stairs and fire design.
Compare like-for-like scope rather than a headline figure without listed inclusions.
These are items to check, not a promise that every item is included in every quote.
04 / Approvals
On houses with householder rights, Class B roof enlargement may qualify as permitted development: up to 40m³ for terraces or 50m³ for other houses, including earlier roof additions. The addition cannot rise above the existing highest roof or project beyond the principal highway-facing roof slope. Materials, windows and eaves conditions also matter. Class B does not apply on designated land such as conservation areas; rooflights have separate Class C rules. This is a summary, not a complete eligibility checklist.
Flats and maisonettes do not have householder Class B roof-extension rights. Listed buildings, conservation areas, Article 4 directions and earlier conditions require checks. A Lawful Development Certificate is useful evidence of lawfulness, not Building Regulations sign-off. Where permission is needed, local design policy applies; it does not override national permitted development rights.
Broxbourne, East Herts, Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield serve different addresses; the address determines the authority and any relevant restrictions, not the county name alone.
Read national technical guidance ↗/Planning guide ↗Ware, Hertford, Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth
Confirm the address and the appropriate planning route.
Borehamwood, Potters Bar
Check the property's planning and building-control context.
Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City
Check the address for relevant local design policies if applying for permission.
Other covered addresses may fall under different authorities; confirm with the council for the actual property.
Design and inspections cover structure, protected escape and fire precautions, stairs and headroom, insulation and ventilation, drainage and electrics, with completion evidence. Requirements vary for bungalows, existing storeys and flats; the whole escape route needs assessment.
Stair and fire-safety guide ↗Cutting beam bearings into a shared wall can be notifiable. Check required notices early and involve a suitable surveyor where needed. Party wall procedure is separate from planning and building control, and not every loft needs an award.
Official party wall guidance ↗05 / From first visit to handover
On-site chat about your ideas and budget, then a transparent quotation with free proposed floorplans.
A detailed measure of your home, taking around 45 minutes.
Drawings, 3D model, planning or LDC as needed and structural calcs — handled in-house by our design team.
Full plans submitted for building regulations approval.
Typically 5–6 weeks on site, with a full week-by-week schedule shared in advance.
Sign-off, cleanup and your 10 year guarantee.
Construction is typically 5–6 weeks on site. Design and consents, party wall matters, the wait for a start date and decorating can extend the overall calendar time; approvals cannot be guaranteed.
Many households stay at home. Roof access can help contain early work, but a stair opening, internal work, dust, noise, service interruptions and safe access still need a plan. See the full process ↗
Client perspective
“Would highly recommend Jake and Concept Loft Rooms Ltd. Great all the way through. In contact throughout to make sure we were happy with the progress, build was quick and to a very high standard. Extremely pleased with the end product.”
Read more reviews ↗
06 / Coverage
Explore our local guides below, or contact us to discuss your address and the space you want to create.
07 / Questions
Roof form, structure, staircase, usable floor area, bathroom and finish determine the scope. Proposed floorplans are free with the consultation and quotation; check the itemised quote for the full drawing, calculation, application and fee scope, inclusions and VAT.
A typical conversion takes around 5–6 weeks on site. Design, consents, party wall matters, waiting for a start date and decorating can extend the total calendar time.
Some houses retain roof-extension rights under Class B: up to 40m³ for terraces and 50m³ for other houses, including earlier enlargements. Other position, height, appearance and property conditions apply. Conservation areas, listed buildings and removed rights need particular checks; Building Regulations approval is separate.
Measure the roof geometry, then allow for the new floor and insulation to see how much usable headroom remains. The existing landing and escape route also guide where compliant stairs can be designed.
Possibly. The answer depends on usable space, daylight, the staircase, access and the needs of the rooms below. Proposed floorplans make those trade-offs visible.
Sometimes, with a designed replacement structure and temporary support. The roof must be surveyed; trusses cannot simply be cut out.
Often, yes. Roof-level access can limit early disturbance, but the stair opening, internal work, dust, noise and occasional service interruptions still need planning.
Not every project needs an award. Works such as cutting beam bearings into a shared wall can require notice; check early and use a suitable surveyor where needed. This is separate from planning and building control.
Yes. Herts is the usual short form for Hertfordshire; our coverage directory lists the towns and neighbourhoods we serve.
Potentially, if the existing structure, stair position, roof form, fire strategy and consents permit a comfortable layout. A survey establishes what is practical.
Your property's address determines the local planning authority. Check the authority's site for restrictions and application requirements rather than relying on the county label.
They can suit some roofs and planning contexts; the Ware project shows one design choice. A measured design and the relevant planning route determine suitability for your own home.
Your home / Hertfordshire
Let's look at your Hertfordshire roof, your downstairs layout and the space you need.
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