Roof Lift Loft Conversion Cost

Would you like to know the cost of a loft conversion with a roof lift?

A roof lift loft conversion can be an excellent solution for homes with limited loft headroom, allowing for additional space or even an extra bedroom. You can expect to pay between £55,000 and £90,000, depending on several factors.

In the UK, roof lift conversions are gaining popularity, particularly in areas with higher property values. For growing families, roof lift loft conversions can provide additional space, without the need to relocate. They’re a solid investment and will increase your property’s value overall.

We’ll help you understand the benefits of this type of loft conversion and how much you can expect to pay.

MyJobQuote is trusted by over 1 million homeowners, providing comprehensive quotes for all types of projects across the UK. Explore our quotes today to find the roof specialist in your area.

Whether you’re building your dream family home with a loft or converting an existing attic, we can help you calculate costs below!

How Much is a Roof Lift Loft Conversion?

Compared to an extension, a roof lift loft conversion is affordable for many. By utilising the existing space in your property, rather than investing in materials to build a new structure, these types of attic conversions are often preferred.

On average, you can expect to pay between £55,000 and £90,000 for a loft conversion with a roof lift, although prices will vary depending on the type of property and the complexity of the conversion.

Due to the nature of the work required for a roof lift loft conversion, you can expect to pay much more than for a standard loft conversion. This is due to the extra structural work that must be carried out, which encompasses raising the ridge height of your roof. To achieve this, a significant portion of the existing roof must be removed and then rebuilt.

Roof Lift Loft Conversion Prices

Roof Lift Loft Conversion Supply Costs

The materials required for a loft conversion are extensive, ranging from structural supports to insulation and windows, with numerous supply costs to consider.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the various supply costs for a roof lift loft conversion in the UK:

Structural Framework

Your roof lift loft design will either require steel beams or timber trusses in order to support the new roof. Steel is the more costly option, at £2,000 - £3,500, but may be necessary, especially if your attic is to be open planned.

Windows

Depending on whether you install rooflights or windows, prices will vary. For a typical Velux skylight window, prices range between £300 and £600 per piece. On the other hand, a more complex, dormer loft window can cost up to £3,000. Of course, size and finishes will always impact the final price, so keep this in mind.

Ventilation Systems

All loft conversions require a safe, working ventilation system. For instance, if you’ve installed a bathroom, an extractor fan will be required. Depending on the final ventilation system you choose, expect to pay up to £1,000 for a fit-out.

Plasterboard

Plasterboard is a highly versatile construction material and will be used across the interior of the attic. Prices for plasterboarding sit between £10 and £15 per m2. Roofing tiles and slats

In cases where the entire roof is being replaced, you will need to pay for new roofing slats or tiles. There is a wide range of options, with varying costs. However, basic roofing tiles are priced between £20 and £30 per m2, with more premium options being up to three times this amount.

Insulation

To comply with energy efficiency building regulations, insulation is essential. Mineral wood and rigid board insulation are the two most popular options, ranging from £20 to £50 per m2.

Additional Costs

In addition to the costs for a roof lift loft conversion detailed above, you should also plan for the following expenses:

Planning Applications and Architectural Drawings

Many loft conversions will require planning permission or detailed architectural drawings. In these cases, you’ll need to consider the costs of working with a reputable architect with experience. You can expect to pay between £600 and £2,000 for this service, depending on your location in the UK.

Structural Engineer Fees

Like that of an architect, a structural engineer is required. They will carefully assess the condition of your home’s existing structure and advise accordingly. These professionals are key to a successful loft conversion and play a pivotal role in ensuring health and safety. Structural engineer fees vary, but you can expect to pay £400 - £1,500.

Building Control Inspection fees

To ensure that the proposed works meet building regulations, you will need to pay for an inspection. Your local authority will be able to provide more details; however, we estimate that this will cost between £300 and £750.

Internal Fittings (bathrooms, electrics, plumbing)

Any finishes required to complete the conversion must be accounted for when planning your budget. For example, if you’re creating an extra bedroom with an ensuite, plumbing work is necessary. You should review cost guides for bathrooms, plumbing, and electrics to help you get a better idea of what money to set aside.

Waste Disposal or Skip Hire

As with any construction work, responsible disposal of construction materials is essential. You will have to hire a skip or waste removal service for this. In the UK, depending on your location, you can expect to pay between £200 and £500 for a skip hire service.

Temporary Accommodation if the Property is Uninhabitable During Works

If you’re unable to reside in the property during the conversion process, alternative accommodation may need to be paid for.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The process for raising a roof to accommodate a new loft conversion is an extensive one that should only be carried out by a competent roofing company.

Generally, this type of loft conversion will take anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks. It’s also important to consider that adverse weather conditions can significantly delay conversion projects.

Labour is one of the main expenses to consider when planning a loft conversion. In the UK, fees vary, but you should expect to pay between £1,000 and £2,500 per week for this type of job.

Below, we’ve outlined the professionals involved in a roof lift loft conversion, at what stage, and their respective fees:

1. Builders

Builders are the most important professionals for a loft conversion. They take ownership of all the structural work, which includes roof removal, construction of new roofing, and so on. Builders in the UK will charge between £150 and £250 per day.

2. Roofers

Next, you should consider the roofers involved in the conversion project; they are responsible for raising and rebuilding the roof. This includes tiling of the new roof, and you can expect to pay £150 - £300 per day per roofer.

3. Joiners

Joiners are additional vital professionals that you must pay for. A joiner will install interior structures, including stairs, floor joists, and so on. A joiner in the UK typically charges a daily rate of between £150 and £250.

4. Electricians

Most attic conversions will require electricity; for this reason, you should account for the electrician's costs. Expect to pay between £200 and £350 per day.

5. Plumbers

Where plumbing is required, such as in the case of an en-suite, you can expect to pay between £200 and £300 per day.

6. Decorators

Finally, to finish your loft conversion to a high standard, hire decorators for painting and finishing touches. Expect to pay between £150 and £250 per day.

Timeframes for Loft Lift Conversion

It is helpful to know what to expect in terms of the timeline for any significant construction project. Here’s a typical timeline for a roof lift loft conversion project in the UK.

Planning and Design Stage

The planning stage, which involves the assistance of an architect and a structural engineer and the application for planning permission, can take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks. However, you should expect the process to take longer if you live in a listed building or within a conservation area.

Construction

Once you have all of the prerequisites in place, it’s time for construction to commence. Raising the roof on any property is a lengthy process, so you should expect this stage to take between 4 and 8 weeks in total.

Fit-out and Finishes

Once the roof has been raised and the conversion is complete, you can add any finishing touches and fit out the space. This includes installing electrics, fitting flooring, plumbing any bathrooms, and so on. This process typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks. Where the design of your roof lift loft conversion is complex, expect a longer timeline. The same can be said for works carried out during colder seasons, when adverse weather is more likely.

Cost Factors for Roof Lift Loft Conversions

There are a number of factors that determine the overall cost for any roof lift conversion, which can be variable. By understanding these additional costs, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to budget accordingly for your project.

Property Location

Where your property is located does influence the overall cost of a loft conversion. Since labour and material costs naturally vary in different areas of the UK, conversion projects will always be more expensive in areas such as London.

Size and Structure of the Existing Roof

If your property has a complex roof design, such as a hipped roof, more labour is generally required for a conversion project. This will increase the overall costs and should be taken into account when searching for quotes.

Amount of Roof Lift Required

For a minor lift project, costs will generally stay within the averages outlined in this guide. However, if a full roof replacement is necessary for required headroom, labour costs will be much higher.

Internal Specification

For basic finishes, inclusive of basic fittings, a conversion project will be cheaper than a complex conversion. The types of fixtures, fittings, and finishes will also determine the final price.

Planning Permission or Structural Complexities

Planning permission is an important step for a conversion project, and if your job requires it, you may need to pay extra fees for design and engineering.

Building Regulations Related to Roof Lift Loft Conversions

In the UK, there are a number of regulations that govern the safety and structural integrity of loft conversions. Since roof lift loft conversions are deemed more complex than standard loft conversions, full planning permission is often necessary.

The process of increasing the height of a property’s roof is considered to be an alteration to the external profile. This means that the work is not permissible under permitted development rights.

In any case of doubt, you should consult with your local planning authority to get a clear idea of whether full planning permission is required.

Building regulations to consider:

To help you gain a full picture of which regulations are applicable to roof lift loft conversions, we’ve created a list with explanations below.

1. Structural Integrity

The structural integrity of your property is determined by a structural engineer. They will advise on the works required to support the new roof’s structure. During this assessment, they will check walls, foundations, and any other structures to verify compliance with building regulations.

2. Fire Safety

Fire safety is a major consideration across UK construction projects, and fire regulations apply to every floor of a property. When you convert a loft to a habitable room, it must have smoke alarms installed, and fire escapes must be considered.

3. Insulation

Energy and insulation are regulated in the UK; for this reason, the loft conversion must be insulated to standard to meet the current energy efficiency regulations.

4. Stairways

Any new staircases that are built to allow access to the attic must be safe in terms of headroom, riser height, and tread depth.

Types of Roof Lift Loft Conversions

There is a range of roof lift loft conversion designs available, and some contractors may offer a bespoke service depending on your property’s existing structure. As with any construction job, there are a number of factors to consider, such as your budget, planning permission, and complexity.

Below, you’ll find a list of the various styles of roof lifts and a description to help you plan your project.

Gable to Gable Roof Lifts

A gable-to-gable lift will raise the entire ridge height and create two gable end walls. This results in a boxy structure that replaces the sloped roof. Many terraced homes feature this type of roof lift conversion as internal space isn’t affected. The cost range for a gable-to-gable roof lift is between £50,000 and £80,000, and planning permission is generally required.

Raised Ridge Conversions

Raised rigger roof lift conversions will increase the height of the existing roof ridge. They’re favoured as they won’t change the original pitch of the roof, which brings about more headroom. This type of conversion is best suited to a semi-detached or detached property, where the loft space requires minimal work. Planning permission is almost always required, and you can expect to pay between £40,000 and £70,000 for this type of work.

Full Roof Replacements

As the name suggests, a full roof replacement involves removing the old roofing structure entirely and replacing it with a taller roof system. This option is best for those willing to pay a higher cost, as the price for such a job can easily exceed £90,000.

Alternative Types of Loft Conversions

Though roof lift loft conversions are an excellent investment and are a great solution for additional space, there are alternative options.

Dormer loft conversions can also create additional headroom and floor space. The process for this type of attic conversion involves extending the roof, much like a roof lift loft conversion. As a cheaper alternative, ranging between £30,000 and £60,000, dormer conversions are suitable for a range of homes. However, they often are restricted, since the original roof design can’t be altered in the same way as a lift loft conversion.

Another option would be a hip-to-gable conversion, which takes its name from extending the hip of the roof to create a gable. This can add significant space to any attic and will typically cost between £40,000 and £60,000, which is more affordable than a roof lift conversion for many. A hip-to-gable conversion is only possible for properties with a hip roof.

Finally, there’s the option of a classic Velux rooflight conversion. Rooflights are a good way to bring more natural light into an attic space. They require no alteration of the existing roof structure, so you generally won’t need planning permission. A typical rooflight installation costs between £10,000 and £20,000, but no extra headroom or floor space will be added.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Roof Lift Loft Conversions

Finding the right specialist contractor for a roof lift conversion can feel like a major task in itself. Use our checklist below to choose an experienced contractor who will carry out the job to the high standard you expect.

1. Confirm Experience with Structural Roof Work

Undoubtedly, the most important step for finding a structural roof contractor is to verify their experience. You should ask important questions and ask to see any photographs of previous projects. It’s always a good idea to look at previous client reviews, too. Any reputable contractor will have a strong portfolio of work and positive feedback.

2. Verify Qualifications and Insurance

Next, you should ensure that the contractor has the essential qualifications required for a loft conversion. Check for recognised certifications and ensure that the contractor has a trade body membership. You should also ask what the contractor’s insurance policy covers; as a minimum, insurance should include public liability.

3. Request References and Examples of Previous Roof Lifts

A good contractor will be able to provide references from their previous clients and show examples of their work. Photos of completed roof lift loft conversions will help you to ensure that they’re capable of delivering high-standard work.

4. Get a Detailed Quote Covering All Stages

To avoid the surprise of additional costs being added to the project, an important first step is to get clear on costs for all stages. Ask for a full breakdown of the scope of work, including labour, waste disposal, and so on.

5. Clarify Timelines and Payment Terms

To avoid delays, set a clear starting date for your job and end date. This will help to establish a timeline and keep the project on track from the beginning. Discuss any deposits, payment terms, and invoicing.

6. Ensure Planning and Building Control Compliance is Included

An experienced roofing contractor will understand the intricacies of building control requirements and planning regulations. They will be largely responsible for the planning application process, so you should confirm this early on with them.

Removing Existing Roof Structures

Removing an existing roof structure is no straightforward task. Roof removal must be carried out carefully and requires highly skilled labour to do so correctly. There are numerous steps involved in removing an existing roof, and scaffolding must be erected to ensure safety for the workers.

Rafters, supporting timbers, and tiles must all be removed from the roof, and then a waterproof covering is used to protect the interior. Removal of an existing roof will affect the duration of the project as a whole and will incur additional costs.

From increased labour efforts to more waste disposal, removing an existing roof can easily increase the overall cost of a loft conversion by up to £10,000. Oftentimes, homeowners have to seek out temporary accommodation if a full roof removal is underway.

FAQs