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myLoft Conversion in Edinburgh Cost
At a Glance
- The average loft conversion in Edinburgh costs around £38,000.
- Most jobs take between 6 and 10 weeks, depending on the type of conversion and whether planning permission is needed.
- Types of loft conversions available in Edinburgh and their costs.
- How long the job takes and what's typically involved.
- Edinburgh-specific costs, such as skip and scaffolding permits.
- How to compare quotes from loft conversion specialists in Edinburgh with MyJobQuote.
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Many Edinburgh homeowners look at a loft conversion cost as an alternative to moving, particularly in a city where flats and period properties make extending outwards difficult. Converting an unused loft can create a home office, guest room, or extra bedroom without losing garden space.
A 30m² dormer loft conversion in Edinburgh costs on average between £33,500 and £47,500. Costs vary depending on the type of conversion, the size of the loft, and whether the property needs planning permission or listed building consent.
Use our loft conversion cost calculator to get a bespoke estimate for your property, or read on for typical prices by conversion type in Edinburgh.
£50,000
Table of Contents
- How Much Does a Loft Conversion Cost in Edinburgh?
- Factors That Impact Loft Conversion Costs in Edinburgh
- Additional Costs of a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh
- Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh?
- How Long Does a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh Take?
- Benefits of a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh
- Checklist: Hiring a Loft Conversion Builder in Edinburgh
How Much Does a Loft Conversion Cost in Edinburgh?
The average attic conversion cost in Edinburgh ranges between £14,500 and £66,500, depending on the type of conversion and the size of the space.
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Loft Conversion Prices in Edinburgh
Below you can see the average costs of the most common jobs by loft type and size.
| Loft Type & Size | Cost Per m² | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Velux (30m²) | £475–£665 | £14,500–£19,000 |
| Velux (50m²) | £475–£665 | £19,000–£28,500 |
| Dormer (30m²) | £1,100–£1,600 | £33,500–£47,500 |
| Dormer (50m²) | £1,100–£1,600 | £43,000–£57,000 |
| Hip-to-Gable (30m²) | £1,350–£1,900 | £43,000–£57,000 |
| Hip-to-Gable (50m²) | £1,350–£1,900 | £52,500–£66,500 |
| Mansard (30m²) | £1,350–£1,900 | £43,000–£57,000 |
| Mansard (50m²) | £1,350–£1,900 | £52,500–£66,500 |
| L-Shaped Dormer Loft (30m²) | £1,580–£1,900 | £47,500–£57,000 |
| L-Shaped Dormer Loft (50m²) | £1,050–£1,330 | £52,500–£66,500 |
| Adding en-suite (all sizes) | - | £5,000–£12,000 |
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Here's a closer look at what each type involves and typical costs at 30m².
Velux Loft Conversion
A Velux or rooflight conversion is the cheapest option, as it involves no major changes to the roofline beyond fitting the rooflights themselves. A 30m² Velux conversion typically costs between £14,500 and £19,000.
Dormer Loft Conversion
A dormer conversion adds a box-like extension to the roof slope, increasing both headroom and usable floor space. A 30m² dormer typically costs between £33,500 and £47,500.
Hip-To-Gable Loft Conversion
A hip-to-gable conversion replaces a sloping roof side with a vertical gable wall, creating significantly more space. This extra structural work means a 30m² hip-to-gable conversion typically costs between £43,000 and £57,000.
Mansard Loft Conversion
A mansard conversion alters the whole roof shape to a steep, near-vertical slope, creating the largest amount of extra space. Due to the scale of the structural work, a 30m² mansard typically costs between £43,000 and £57,000.
L-Shaped Dormer Loft Conversion
An L-shaped dormer combines two dormers built at right angles, often creating enough space for two bedrooms or a bedroom and en-suite. A 30m² L-shaped dormer typically costs between £47,500 and £57,000.
Factors That Impact Loft Conversion Costs in Edinburgh
Beyond the type of conversion, several factors influence what you'll pay:
- The size of the loft and existing roof structure.
- Whether steel beams are needed to support the floor and ridge.
- The roof pitch and available head height.
- Property access and parking restrictions.
Edinburgh has a large stock of Georgian and Victorian tenement flats, particularly in areas like Marchmont, Bruntsfield, and Stockbridge, where loft conversions often involve shared roof spaces or common property. Depending on the title deeds and ownership arrangements, you may need the agreement of other owners under the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 before work can proceed.
Detached and semi-detached villas in areas such as Corstorphine, Morningside, and Colinton tend to have more roof space, making larger dormer or hip-to-gable conversions more practical.
Labour rates in Edinburgh tend to run higher than the Scottish average. Much of the Old Town and New Town also lies within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and extensive conservation areas, where planning applications are often subject to closer scrutiny and may take longer to approve.
Costs in Edinburgh are broadly in line with other major UK cities outside London. A loft conversion in glasgow costs a similar amount, while a loft conversion in London typically costs 15% to 25% more for the same job.
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Additional Costs of a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh
There are additional costs to budget for beyond the core build. Some of these you'll need regardless of conversion type, while others are a matter of choice.
| Additional Cost | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Architectural drawings | £400–£1,450 |
| Structural engineer calculations | £570–£1,700 |
| Planning permission fees | £300–£450 |
| Building warrant | £500–£1,500 |
| Building standards completion certificate | £400–£1,000 |
| Shared wall or boundary agreement | £900–£2,000 |
| Scaffolding hire | £2,350–£8,700 |
| Skip hire | £150–£350 |
| Staircase installation | £1,450–£9,500 |
| Electrical work | £1,500–£3,250 |
| Plumbing work | £3,000–£6,000 |
| Flooring | £1,500–£3,500 |
| Plastering | £2,500–£4,500 |
| Decorating | £1,500–£2,500 |
| Built-in storage | £1,000–£3,000 |
| Fire doors | £300–£500 per door |
| Smoke alarms | £185–£375 |
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You'll need a building warrant approved before any work starts, which is different from the English system where building regulations sign-off can follow later, and you'll need a completion certificate at the end to confirm the finished work meets Scottish building standards. Scotland also has no Party Wall Act, so shared walls, which are very common in Edinburgh tenements, are dealt with under common law or the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 instead.
If your scaffolding sits on the pavement or road you'll need a Section 58 road occupation permit, and a skip left on the road needs a council permit costing £46 for the first week and £40 for each week after that.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh?
Many Edinburgh loft conversions fall under permitted development rights, but this depends on the property, the scale of the work, and whether the roofline is being altered. You're more likely to need planning permission if your property is:
- A flat or tenement property.
- A listed building.
- Within a conservation area, including much of the Old Town and New Town.
- Planning a mansard conversion or a large roof extension.
- Already subject to a previous extension.
Regardless of whether planning permission is needed, every loft conversion in Scotland requires a building warrant and a completion certificate from Edinburgh Council's building standards team. If you're unsure what applies to your property, it's worth checking with the council before committing to a design.
How Long Does a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh Take?
Most loft conversions in Edinburgh take between 6 and 10 weeks. Properties that need planning permission, such as those in a conservation area or a listed building, can take longer due to the approval process before work even starts.
| Loft Design | Average Timescale |
|---|---|
| Velux | 4–6 Weeks |
| Dormer | 6–8 Weeks |
| Hip-to-Gable | 8–10 Weeks |
| Mansard or L-Shaped Dormer | 10–12 Weeks |
Benefits of a Loft Conversion in Edinburgh
A loft conversion in Edinburgh can create extra living space for a growing family, a dedicated home office, or a guest room, without using up garden space or the upheaval of moving.
A well-finished loft conversion can increase the value of your property by between 10% and 20%, depending on the property type, location, and level of finish.
Checklist: Hiring a Loft Conversion Builder in Edinburgh
It's vital that your loft conversion is structurally safe and meets Scottish building standards, so hiring an experienced local specialist is worth the investment.
Before hiring a contractor for your loft conversion, it's worth checking the following:
- Are they qualified? Look for contractors with proven experience in loft conversions and, ideally, membership of a recognised trade body such as the Federation of Master Builders or TrustMark.
- Are they insured? A contractor should hold public liability insurance of at least £2 million, protecting you against damage or injury during the build.
- Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile for feedback from previous customers on reliability, communication, and quality of work.
- Will structural calculations be included? Confirm this is covered in the quote, along with a clear understanding of the building warrant process.
- Do they manage other trades? Ask whether they'll coordinate electricians, plumbers, and plasterers, or whether you'll need to arrange this yourself.
- What are the payment terms? Agree these before work starts. A typical setup is a 10% to 20% deposit, with the balance paid on completion or at agreed stages.
- Is the work guaranteed? Reputable contractors should offer a warranty for their work, either directly or through an approved scheme.
