Concept Lofts — Loft Conversion Specialists

Concept Lofts / London

Loft Conversions in London

Thoughtful loft design for London homes. From terraces with rear additions to hipped family semis, we plan the usable space, staircase and build around your property.

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Photograph: Concept Lofts project in Tottenham · View case study

01Free consultation & proposed floorplans
02In-house design team
03Typically 5–6 weeks on site
0410 year guarantee

A considered first step / London

Space that works with the house below.

London lofts often need more than an extra room drawn into the roof. A staircase that protects the first-floor layout, enough usable headroom, the right planning route and a workable construction plan all matter. We serve the North and East London areas listed below, bringing our design and build team together from the first consultation.

01 / Built work

Loft conversions completed in London.

Published projects in Chingford, Wanstead, Upminster and Finchley show different ways to work with a rear addition, a hipped roof or an existing family layout.

A project in detail / Chingford

Chingford: contemporary detail in an Edwardian home

L-Shaped Dormer project in Chingford
Completed project / Chingford

Concept designed and built this Edwardian loft conversion from the initial ideas through to completion. Recessed electric blinds span the room, while a generous walk-through shower, accessible from both ends, gives the bathroom a distinctive layout.

Outside, a rendered dormer complements the house. To achieve the clean finish the clients wanted without visible fascias, Concept designed a concealed box gutter integrated with a single-ply roofing system.

A small external detail can be central to the finished design, so it needs to be resolved as part of the construction.

Explore the Chingford project ↗

A real completed project / Chingford

Walk through the finished loft.

View Hip To Gable & L shape Conversion - Chingford / London ↗

02 / Roof and property

Compare the approaches before choosing a shape.

An L-shaped dormer needs a suitable rear addition; an older terrace alone is not enough. A hipped semi may suit a hip-to-gable and rear dormer after assessment. Flats and maisonettes need separate checks of roof ownership, lease and freeholder consent as well as planning and building control. Every option below is assessment-dependent; a property type alone does not establish planning eligibility.

Property or roofOption worth investigatingMain constraint
Terrace or semi with usable rear roofRear dormer ↗Available roof volume, height, appearance and stair landing
Semi or end terrace with a hipped side roofHip-to-gable ↗Hipped roof geometry and the new gable design
Hipped roof with usable rear slopeHip-to-gable + rear dormer ↗Both additions share the relevant roof-volume allowance
House with a suitable rear additionL-shaped dormer ↗Rear-addition roof, connection and combined structural design
Roof with enough usable space without enlargementRooflight / Velux ↗Still needs structural floor, stairs, fire and insulation design
Roof where a changed profile is appropriateMansard ↗Often needs a planning application and substantial roof work
Bungalow with conversion potentialBungalow conversion ↗Ground-floor stair position, roof height and structure, fire design and planning

Room to live well.

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.

Start with measured plans.

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

How much does a loft conversion cost in London?

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.

Read the detailed London cost guide ↗

Street access, deliveries and parking can also affect the programme and quote in London.

Check these items in every quote.

  • 01Design and structural calculations
  • 02Planning applications, LDC and building-control charges
  • 03Scaffold and site access
  • 04Floor structure and roof work
  • 05Roof windows and staircase
  • 06Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work
  • 07Bathroom fittings and tiling
  • 08Flooring and decoration
  • 09VAT and any exclusions

These are items to check, not a promise that every item is included in every quote.

04 / Approvals

Planning your London loft conversion.

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.

London boroughs set design policies for proposals requiring planning permission, but an SPD does not override national permitted development rights. Conservation and Article 4 constraints still need address-specific checks.

Read national technical guidance ↗/Planning guide ↗

Find your local planning authority.

Waltham Forest ↗

Chingford, Walthamstow

The residential alterations and retrofit SPD was adopted in June 2026 for planning design; it does not replace national PD tests.

Redbridge ↗

Woodford, Ilford, Wanstead

The borough's loft guidance covers structure, fire, stairs and building applications.

Havering ↗

Upminster, Romford, Hornchurch

Check the property's borough planning context.

Barnet ↗

Finchley

Check the address and relevant constraints.

Enfield ↗

Enfield

Check the address and relevant constraints.

Haringey ↗

Crouch End, Muswell Hill

Check the address and relevant constraints.

Newham ↗

Stratford, Forest Gate

Check the address and relevant constraints.

Other covered addresses may fall under different authorities; confirm with the council for the actual property.

Building Regulations

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 ↗

Party wall matters

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

One team. Six clear stages.

  1. 01

    Free Consultation & Quotation

    On-site chat about your ideas and budget, then a transparent quotation with free proposed floorplans.

  2. 02

    Survey

    A detailed measure of your home, taking around 45 minutes.

  3. 03

    Design, Planning & Approvals

    Drawings, 3D model, planning or LDC as needed and structural calcs — handled in-house by our design team.

  4. 04

    Building Control Approvals

    Full plans submitted for building regulations approval.

  5. 05

    Construction

    Typically 5–6 weeks on site, with a full week-by-week schedule shared in advance.

  6. 06

    Completion & Guarantee

    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

What Concept clients say.

“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.”

Scott Truman · Concept Lofts client
Read more reviews ↗

06 / Coverage

Where we work in London.

Explore our local guides below, or contact us to discuss your address and the space you want to create.

North London

Barnet borough

Enfield

Haringey

  • Muswell Hill
  • Crouch End
  • Highgate
  • Wood Green
  • Hornsey
  • Harringay
  • Tottenham

Selected inner-north areas

  • Camden
  • Islington

East / North-East London

Waltham Forest

Redbridge

Havering

Barking & Dagenham

Newham

  • Stratford
  • Forest Gate
  • East Ham
  • Plaistow
  • Upton Park
  • Manor Park

Hackney

  • Hackney
  • Stoke Newington
  • Clapton
  • Dalston
  • Homerton

Tower Hamlets

  • Bow
  • Bethnal Green
  • Mile End
  • Stepney
  • Poplar
Explore all areas covered ↗

07 / Questions

London loft conversion FAQs.

01How much does a loft conversion cost in London, and are drawings included?

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.

02How long does the work take?

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.

03Will I need planning permission, and what is the permitted development size limit?

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.

04Where can the new stairs go, and is there enough headroom?

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.

05Could we fit two bedrooms instead of a bedroom and en-suite?

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.

06Can a trussed roof be converted?

Sometimes, with a designed replacement structure and temporary support. The roof must be surveyed; trusses cannot simply be cut out.

07Can we stay at home during the build?

Often, yes. Roof-level access can limit early disturbance, but the stair opening, internal work, dust, noise and occasional service interruptions still need planning.

08Does a loft conversion need a party wall agreement?

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.

09Can a flat or maisonette have a loft conversion?

Possibly, but householder Class B roof-extension rights do not apply. Roof ownership, lease terms, freeholder consent, planning permission and building control must all be checked.

10Will an L-shaped dormer work on my terrace?

Only if there is a suitable rear addition and the roof and planning context allow it. Its two wings need structural and design assessment together.

11How does restricted street access affect the build?

Scaffolding, deliveries, parking and neighbour access may change the programme and quote. We discuss those practical constraints for the actual address.

12Can a conservation-area home use roof-extension permitted development?

Class B roof enlargement rights do not apply on designated land including conservation areas. A planning application and sensitive design may be required; check other consents too.

Your home / London

Start with your own roof.

Tell us about your North or East London home and the room you want to gain.

Full Rear Zinc Dormer - Tottenham / London in Tottenham
Completed project / Tottenham

Book a free consultation in London

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