Velux Loft Conversion Cost

A Velux loft conversion involves adding a sloping roof with Velux windows, with its primary benefits being additional light entering the space and improved ventilation.

Notably, a Velux loft conversion does not involve altering the roof structure significantly. It is relatively straightforward as a loft conversion and less disruptive than other common options, particularly if sufficient roof height is already present.

It’s important to note that the case of hiring a tradesperson or specialist company for this work can vary with key cost factors including the size of the loft, the number of roof windows, the amount of structural strengthening required, the level of insulation needed and the standard of the internal finish.

How Much is a Velux Loft Conversion?

The price range for a Velux loft conversion is between £15,000 and £40,000, depending on various factors such as the size and type of Velux loft conversion.

The average cost of a Velux loft conversion is based on the size and type:

• Straightforward Velux loft conversion: £15,000 to £30,000
• Mid-range Velux loft conversion: £25,000 to £40,000
• High-spec Velux loft conversion: £30,000 to £50,000

It’s important to note that the average cost depends on the amount of internal work required to make the loft space safe and practical.

Extra costs may add to the total price of a Velux loft conversion, including a staircase upgrade, an en-suite, electrical re-wiring, extra insulation, storage solutions or even premium roof windows.

Notably, labour rates also differ throughout the UK, with the highest costs generally seen in London and the southeast of England and lower prices in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Velux Loft Conversion Prices

Here are some key costs of Velux loft conversion projects:

To best prepare for a Velux loft conversion from a practical and financial perspective, it is key that you budget properly and get a clear sense of the likely overall cost in advance. To do so, be sure to engage with the relevant professionals you are hiring to ensure you get a clear picture of the overall estimated cost.

Having room for a buffer of extra costs is also important, and you should certainly bring this up when engaging with the relevant professionals, as this can allow you to account for additional and unexpected costs, including in the cost of their upper limits that may exceed expected initial estimates.

Of course, Velux loft conversions in general do fall in a reasonable price range rather than greatly exceeding the initial estimates, but the above-mentioned research, discussions and planning are highly recommended to avoid exceeding your budget.

Supply Costs for a Velux Loft Conversion

The overall cost of a Velux loft conversion will include both labour and supply costs. In this section, we’ll look at some of the specific supply costs ranging from timber to internal doors to electrical fittings and more.

Here are some of the predominant supply costs that can apply for a Velux loft conversion:

It’s worth noting that supply costs can vary depending on the size of the loft, the number and specification of roof windows, whether bespoke joinery is needed, and the quality of the finish throughout the room.

Additional Costs of a Velux Loft Conversion

The build cost will make up the bulk of a Velux loft conversion price; however, the full amount you’ll need to budget for should keep additional costs in mind, too.

Some added costs to consider may include scaffolding (£500 to £2,000), skip hire (£150 to £450 per week), waste removal (£200 to £800), architectural drawings (£2,000 to £5,000), and structural engineering calculations (£200 to £2,000).

Other additional costs that may apply include party wall costs (£1,000 to £3,000), decorating (£1,500 to £2,000), flooring (£50 to £80 per square metre), upgraded electrics (£200 to £6,000) or plumbing adjustments (£800 to £3,000).

When it comes to general fixtures and fittings, costs can range from several hundred to several thousand pounds. Fixtures like radiators cost around £120 to £370 per unit, and recessed lighting loft is likely to be priced between £300 and £500.

As for fittings, some examples with pricing include a fitted wardrobe at £2,000 to £3,000, blinds for a Velux loft window at £100 to £300 and a desk at £50 to £200 on average.

Beyond that, strengthening floor joists will likely cost £400 to £1,000, roof repairs about £20 to £200 per square metre, improved insulation at £20 to £40 per square metre, upgraded fire doors at £200 to £600 each and changes to the landing below to meet regulations priced at £1,000 to £5,000+, depending on the work required.

Labour Costs and Timescales for a Velux Loft Conversion

Labour costs are a significant component of the total cost for having a Velux loft conversion installed, even if it’s true that this type of conversion is less complex than dormer or mansard conversions.

Here are some of the estimated labour costs for this type of loft conversion:

• Loft Conversion Specialists: £150 to £300 per day
• Builders: £150 to £250 per day
• Roofers: £200 to £350 per day
• Carpenters: £100 to £200 per day
• Electricians: £150 to £250 per day
• Plumbers: £200 to £400 per day
• Plasterers: £150 to £300 per day
• Decorators: £150 to £300 per day

Please note that labour costs vary throughout the UK, with pricing usually higher in the southeast of England (and London especially), whereas labour costs are generally below the national average in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Velux loft conversions often take 4 to 6 weeks to complete, but for larger, high-spec projects, it could take closer to eight weeks. All in all, though, simpler projects can often be completed at a faster rate due to the fewer number of structural changes the roof will require.

The project could, however, take longer (an extra few days or an extra week, depending on the additional job(s) taking place), such as if a bathroom is being added, significant floor strengthening is required, or bespoke storage is involved.

Cost Factors for a Velux Loft Conversion

As discussed, there are many cost factors involved in a Velux loft conversion installation. Here we’ll lay them out concisely to summarise the prominent examples.

These include the following cost factors:

• Available head height in the space
• Whether the existing loft is suited for conversion
• The number of roof windows being fitted
• The amount of insulation the work requires
• The complexity of the staircase being installed (if applicable)
• Floor strengthening work for the loft conversion
• Standard of the internal finishes

Other key cost factors to keep in mind are whether or not scaffolding is required, regional labour rates and whether you are having plumbing added. If remedial work is needed on the roof or structure, this too can prove a meaningful cost factor.

All in all, a Velux loft conversion is on the cheaper end of loft conversion costs; however, costs can still rise quickly depending on the amount of internal work required. So, as mentioned earlier, be sure to discuss total costs (including potential additional and unexpected fees) with the relevant professionals being hired so you can budget well for the project, limiting the risk of unnecessary headaches.

Building Regulations for a Velux Loft Conversion

Building regulations are another key aspect of having a Velux loft conversion installed. Some of the primary building regulations include structural safety, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, staircase requirements, sound resistance and safe means of escape.

It’s important to clarify that building regulations approval is usually required, and this applies even if major roof alterations are not involved in the project.

The average cost of a building regulations application to receive approval is around £200 to £500, but may exceed £1,000 depending on a variety of cost factors.

As for planning permission, this is often not required for a Velux loft conversion since the roofline is usually left unaffected. However, there are exceptions to the rule, such as if your property is a listed building or if you live in a conservation area. It is best to contact your local council to discuss whether building regulations approval or planning permission is required.

The key differences between building regulations and planning permission are as follows:

• Building Regulations - Standards applicable to the design and construction of buildings for the purposes of ensuring safety and health concerns are adhered to. The purpose of this is to protect the occupants of the building and those who surround it.
• Planning Permission - This is more related to criteria such as how an alteration could affect a building’s appearance (i.e. to regulate unsightly alterations that affect the aesthetic of the street or surroundings more generally). Other reasons for planning permission approval, when required, relate to landscaping considerations, highway access and environmental impact concerns, among other criteria.

Types of Velux Loft Conversion

There are several predominant types of Velux loft conversions you may want to consider. These include simple roof light conversions, a Velux loft bedroom conversion, a Velux loft office conversion, and a Velux loft conversion with en-suite, where the space allows.

Costs can vary significantly, even if Velux loft conversions more generally tend to land around £15,000 to £40,000, making them usually more affordable than most loft conversion options. On the one hand, a simple roof light conversion is going to generally cost less than an office conversion or one featuring an en-suite.

As for space usage, a simple roof light conversion has the least impact here, whereas a bedroom loft conversion will have a more significant impact, with a Velux loft office conversion landing somewhere in the middle.

When it comes to fittings and finishing, a Velux loft bedroom and Velux loft conversion with an en-suite will generally require more than, say, an office space or a simpler roof light conversion.

Alternative Types of Loft Conversion

Naturally, there exists a wide range of loft conversion options on the market, and it’s worth comparing these alternatives with a Velux loft conversion before committing to a given option.

Dormer Loft Conversions

A dormer loft conversion adds a boxier upright structure, introducing a windowed structure to a sloping or pitched roof featuring its own flat roof, in contrast to its pitched counterpart mentioned below.

The average price range for a dormer loft conversion is £30,000 to £50,000. Dormer loft conversions are also relatively complex and disruptive, though on the plus side, they introduce additional floor space. Whether or not planning approval will be required will depend on a range of factors, including the size and design of the dormer.

Pitched Dormer Loft Conversions

A pitched dormer loft conversion also introduces a boxier upright structure with a windowed structure, though the dormer comes with a pitched roof in this case.

Similarly, the price range is around £30,000 to £50,000. And again, while relatively complex and disruptive, it introduces additional floor space. Planning approval may or may not be required depending on the specifics of the project in question.

Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion

This type of loft conversion features straightening a household’s sloped roof while simultaneously extending the roofline in order to create a vertical gable wall. The price range usually lands between £40,000 and £50,000.

A hip-to-gable loft conversion can add around 20 square metres in additional flooring, though it is, as you’d imagine, a relatively disruptive option. Planning approval may or may not be required, though they usually fall under permitted development.

Mansard Loft Conversions

Lastly, a mansard loft conversion costs around £50,000 to £80,000, making it one of the more expensive and premium options.

This type of loft conversion is usually added to the rear of a household and adds additional space. It is usually built with a central flat roof.

A mansard loft conversion, generally added to the rear of a household, is, as with many loft conversions, designed to add additional space. It is generally constructed with a central flat roof. As for planning approval, Mansard loft conversions generally do need planning approval because of the substantial alterations they generally make to the property’s appearance.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for a Velux Loft Conversion

When hiring labourers for a Velux loft conversion, there is a range of criteria to keep in mind. This includes checking the contractor’s experience with loft conversion and roof window installation, asking for examples of previous work, confirming insurance cover, and checking whether drawings, calculations and building control coordination are included in the quote.

Beyond that, it’s important to compare quotes carefully when considering who to hire, check what is included and excluded, confirm timescales, ask which professionals will manage each stage of the install, and ensure there is a clear payment schedule.

It’s wise not to opt for a contractor simply based on a low price, as missing items in the quote can lead to higher costs later.

Removing a Velux Loft Conversion

If you need a Velux loft conversion removed, this section is for you. Whether you need a Velux loft conversion removed, replaced or fixed, you’ll want to consider the work involved and potential costs.

This may be required because of roof leaks around the windows, poor workmanship, structural issues, insulation failure or the need for major refurbishment work.

Common costs to consider include:

• Removing Defective Work: £100s to £1,000s
• Disposing of Waste: £300 to £1,200
• Replacing Roof Windows: £1,000 to £3,500
• Reinstating Insulation: £100s
• Internal Finishes: £100s to £1,000s

You should note that fixing, replacing or removal work can become expensive where access is difficult or where roof coverings need to be matched.

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