Average Cost of a Loft Conversion in London | Average Prices 2026

Written by Rachel Morgan
Rachel Morgan
Writer
I have a Philosophy with History degree, but I worked in the construction and home improvement sector in the UK for many years. I have been doing freelance writing since moving to France in 2019 and I enjoy producing informative and helpful articles for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners.
23rd June, 2026
Edited by Samantha Jones
Samantha Jones
Editor-in-Chief
I have a degree in English & Writing. I have been working as a content developer for three years now and have also been freelance writing for three years. I have been focusing my freelance writing within the home improvement and DIY sector.
How we get our data
We gather our data from real quotes given by UK tradespeople to UK homeowners on the MyJobQuote platform.
At a glance
  • The average loft conversion in London costs around £75,000
  • Depending on the complexity of the job, it normally takes between 4 and 10 weeks
In this guide, you'll find:
  • Types of loft conversions available and their costs
  • How long the job takes and what’s typically involved

Loft conversions are popular in London because they are the perfect way to create more space without having to move out of a house you love, especially if you’re close to public transport and good schools.

Loft conversions are the ideal way to make the most of an unused space in your home. A 30m2 dormer conversion in London will cost on average, between £60,000 and £69,500.

That should give a large room with an en-suite, which you can use as a guest room, or an extra bedroom for your growing family. You could also use the conversion as an entertainment space, installing a home cinema or a gym. It could even be converted into a home office away from the distractions of family life.

To find out the likely cost of a loft conversion for your property, it’s best to get quotes from local loft conversion specialists in London who can help you to plan a loft conversion according to your budget.

velux sofa loft interior

Average cost of a loft conversion in London

Depending on the job's complexity, it usually takes between 3 and 15 days.

£75,000

Average Cost of a Loft Conversion in London

The total cost of a loft conversion depends on the type of loft you choose to have built and the structural work that will need to be done. Other factors that will affect the price include:

  • The type of property
  • Whether the roof is in good or poor condition
  • The ease of access
  • The build specification
  • The trades required

Velux Conversion – A Velux conversion will be the most cost-effective option, especially if you are on a budget.

Dormer Conversion – Dormer’s are more expensive than Velux lofts, but they provide an increased amount of floor space.

Hip-to-Gable Conversion – This loft conversion is more expensive because it involves structural changes to the roof.

Mansard Conversion– A Mansard conversion is the most expensive loft type because it gives you much more space but involves major structural changes.

Below you can see the average costs of the most common loft types. Prices for a loft conversion in London are on average, between £1,800 and £2,700 per m2. This is between 20% and 25% higher than in other parts of the UK.

plasterboard exposed wood loft conversion
Loft Choice Size Cost Per m2 Average Cost
Velux 20m2 £1,800-£2,100 £36,000-£42,000
Velux 30m2 £1,800-£2,100 £54,500-£63,000
Dormer 20m2 £2,000-£2,300 £40,000-£46,000
Dormer 30m2 £2,000-£2,300 £60,000-£69,500
Hip-to-Gable 30m2 £2,200-£2,500 £66,000-£75,000
Hip-to-Gable 50m2 £2,200-£2,500 £110,000-£125,000
Mansard 30m2 £2,400-£2,700 £72,000-£81,000
Mansard 50m2 £2,400-£2,700 £120,000-£135,000
L-Shaped Dormer Loft 30m2 £2,100-£2,400 £63,000-£72,000
L-Shaped Dormer Loft 50m2 £2,100-£2,400 £105,000-£120,000
Adding en-suite All Sizes Not Applicable £5,000-£12,000

Factors Affecting Loft Conversion Costs

London properties are all different and that’s why loft conversion prices even in similar houses are never the same.

The cost depends on several factors. For example, a loft that is a reasonable height and easy to access will very often cost less than a loft with a complex structure that is hard to access.

Your property’s location also has an influence. If builders are unable to park close to your home, then bringing in and taking out materials will be slower and this will increase labour costs.

Other factors that will have a bearing on the final price include:

  • The type of conversion you choose to have built
  • Loft size
  • Roof structure
  • The roof pitch and the available head height
  • If steel beams are needed (they often are a requirement to strengthen floors and walls)
  • The type of staircase installation
  • The amount of Insulation and ventilation work
  • The Electrical work
  • Plumbing
  • The addition of a bathroom or en-suite
  • The quality of fixtures and finishes
  • Scaffolding hire
  • Waste removal (usually skip hire)
  • Access to the property
white loft conversion stairs behind

Loft Conversion Types and Costs

Velux Conversion

A Velux conversion doesn’t need any structural modifications. The floor is reinforced, walls are insulated and windows are added, but you don’t get any extra space. Cost per m2 on average is between £1,800 and £2,100

Dormer Conversion

A dormer is a box structure within the pitched roof. You get a larger space with a flat ceiling. Cost per m2 on average is between £2,000 and £2,300

Hip-to-Gable Conversion

The sloping end of the roof is replaced with a gable wall. The modifications mean you get a lot more space. Cost per m2 on average is between £2,200 and £2,500

Mansard Conversion

The mansard creates the maximum amount of room possible. The roof shape is changed completely, and it requires major structural work, which is why it is the most expensive of the loft conversion types. Cost per m2 on average is between £2,400 and £2,700but can be more.

empty loft brick column

Additional Costs to Consider

There are additional costs you will need to add to your budget when you are planning a loft conversion in London. Below are some of the most common costs. Many are obligatory and so will apply to you, others are a matter of choice.

Additional cost Average price Notes
Scaffolding hire £2,480-£9,156 between 4 to 10 weeks is approximately
Staircase installation £1,500 and £10,000 An off-the shelf option is cheaper than a custom-made staircase
Skip hire £200 and £550 on average, depending on the size of the skip required
Planning permission fees £1250-£2,000 not always needed, but if required will be between
Building regulations approval £300 and £2,000 depending on your property
Party wall agreements £800 and £1,000 If it is disputed costs can rise to more than double
Architectural drawings £400 and £1500 (not obligatory) These can cost between £400 and £1500
Structural engineer calculations £600-£1,800 Calculations (obligatory) on average cost between £600 - £1,800
long loft being boarded

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in London?

In most cases it isn’t necessary to get planning permission unless you live in a conservation area or a listed building. As long as the conversion meets with the following planning regulations:

  • The new roof space cannot be larger than 40m³ for a terraced home and 50m³ for a detached or semi-detached property
  • There can’t be any raised platforms, balconies or verandas added to the construction and the materials used must be similar to the original building
  • The conversion must not increase the roof height or extend beyond the existing roof slope at the front of the house
  • Side-facing upper-floor windows must be glazed with obscure glass and must also be non-opening if they are less than 1.7 metres above the floor level

All loft conversions in London must comply with building regulations for:

  • Fire safety
  • Insulation
  • Ventilation
  • Structural integrity
  • Staircase design
white long loft

How Long Does a Loft Conversion Take?

The amount of time it takes to build a loft conversion in London depends on a number of factors and these include:

  • The weather
  • The amount of structural work
  • Planning permission (if needed)
  • Party Wall agreement – If disputed this will delay the start of the loft conversion
  • The timescales of other trades
  • The level of finish (this can often add between 1-3 weeks)
loft beams high ceiling
Loft Type Average Timescale
Velux 4-6 Weeks
Dormer 6-8 Weeks
Hip-to-Gable 6-8 Weeks
Mansard 8-10 Weeks

Benefits of a Loft Conversion

A loft conversion in London, is the perfect solution if you don’t want to move home but you need more space for your growing family.

A high-quality loft conversion should increase the value of your property by between 15% and 20% depending on where you live and the type of property you own. For example, a good quality loft conversion in London may add around £38,000to the value of your home.

The extra space created from a loft conversion can be used for a spare bedroom, a home office, a gym, a teenager’s den or an entertainment space, whatever you choose.

white loft ceiling fan

Hiring a Loft Conversion Specialist in London

Hiring a professional loft conversion specialist in London will ensure that the conversion meets the regulations and standards of building control.

Find London loft conversion specialists to hire by using MyJobQuote. When you are comparing quotes check the following:

  • Experience building similar loft conversions
  • Positive reviews from previous customers
  • That structural calculations are included or not
  • They have good knowledge of building regulations
  • Whether they will manage other trades involved in the project
  • Timescales and payment terms
  • Relevant insurance cover
  • Guarantees for workmanship

MyJobQuote can get you up to 3 quotes from loft conversion specialists in London which means you can compare prices and services easily.

It also means you can browse the profiles of specialists near you and read the reviews of previous customers. This will help you to choose a loft conversion specialist in London that meets your budget and has availability to start the job at your convenience.

Get Quotes

The total cost of a loft conversion in London depends on the type of conversion, the structure, finish and any additional features such as an additional bathroom.

The easiest way to find out about the cost is to post your job on MyJobQuote to receive no obligation quotes from local loft conversion specialists in London.

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