The way you own your home affects what permissions you’ll need:

Freehold house: If you own the whole property, you usually have full rights to convert your loft, subject to planning rules and building regulations.

Leasehold house or flat: You’ll normally need written permission from the freeholder (landlord) and possibly other leaseholders before starting work.

Shared ownership or council property: Permissions can be more complex — you’ll need to check with the housing association or landlord first.

If you’re not sure what type of ownership you have, we can help you check your title documents and advise on the next steps.

“Demised” means the loft space is legally included in the part of the property you own under your lease or title.

If your loft is demised: You have the legal right to use and convert it (subject to planning and building regulations).

If your loft is not demised: The space belongs to the freeholder, so you’ll need to negotiate for the right to convert it — often by purchasing the loft space or obtaining formal consent.

Many leasehold flats do not automatically include the loft, so it’s important to check your lease documents. If you’re unsure, we can help you review the paperwork or guide you on who to ask.

In most cases, you don’t need full planning permission — loft conversions usually fall under your Permitted Development Rights. This means you can go ahead without applying for permission, as long as your design meets certain rules, such as:

The loft extension does not add more than 40m² (terraced) or 50m² (semi-detached/detached) of extra space.

The extension does not extend higher than the existing roof.

Materials are similar in appearance to the existing house.

Dormer extensions do not extend forward of the house’s front roof slope facing a highway.

Side-facing windows are obscure-glazed and non-opening below 1.7m.

When planning permission is required:

If you live in a conservation area, listed building, or flat/maisonette.

If your design alters the roof shape significantly (e.g. mansard conversions).

If you exceed the volume or placement limits of permitted development.

Even if planning permission isn’t needed, Building Regulations approval is always required to ensure the work is safe and compliant.

If your loft conversion goes beyond permitted development rules, you’ll need to apply for planning permission through your local council’s planning department. The process usually involves:

Drawings & Plans – An architect or designer prepares detailed drawings of the proposed loft conversion.

Application Submission – Your plans are submitted online via the Planning Portal or directly to your council.

Council Review – The planning team reviews your application (normally 8 weeks). Neighbours may be consulted.

Decision – The council will either approve, request changes, or refuse.

Good to know:

Professional drawings greatly improve approval chances.

Mansard and hip-to-gable conversions are the types most likely to need permission.

Even with planning permission, you’ll also need Building Regulations approval to make sure the conversion is structurally sound and safe.

We can guide you through the entire process — from checking whether you actually need permission to preparing the paperwork and dealing with the council.

Most loft conversions take 6–8 weeks to complete once work begins on site. The exact timescale depends on the type of conversion:

Velux (rooflight) conversion: usually 4–6 weeks — the quickest option, as it involves minimal structural changes.

Dormer conversion: around 6–8 weeks, as it requires extending the roof.

Mansard conversion: typically 8–10+ weeks, as it involves more extensive structural work and often planning permission.

Other factors like the size of your property, weather, and whether extra features (bathrooms, bespoke stairs) are included can add time.

We’ll give you a clear project timeline before we start, and keep you updated at every stage.

In most cases, yes — you can stay in your home during a loft conversion. The bulk of the work is carried out in the roof space, so day-to-day disruption is kept to a minimum.

Here’s what to expect:

Early stages: Most of the work happens externally (roof structure, dormers, Velux windows). Access is often from scaffolding, so disruption inside the house is limited.

Later stages: When we install the staircase and connect services (electrics, plumbing, plastering), we’ll need access through the main house.

Noise & dust: Some noise and dust is inevitable, but we use dust sheets, protective barriers, and tidy up daily.

If you prefer, some families choose to stay elsewhere for the staircase installation week, but most clients remain at home throughout.

We’ll always explain the schedule clearly so you can plan around the busiest phases.

A loft conversion can be tailored to suit your needs and lifestyle. The most common uses are:

Extra Bedroom or Master Suite – Add space for a growing family or a luxury retreat.

Home Office – Perfect for remote or hybrid working, away from the busy parts of the house.

Guest Room – Give friends and family a comfortable space to stay.

Children’s Room or Playroom – A safe, dedicated space for kids to enjoy.

Bathroom / Ensuite – Add convenience and value with a stylish new bathroom upstairs.

Hobby Room or Studio – Ideal for a gym, art studio, or home cinema.

Your loft is a blank canvas — we’ll help you design a space that works best for you and adds maximum value to your home.

Detached houses are usually the most straightforward for loft conversions because they don’t share party walls with neighbours. This means:

No Party Wall Agreement – You won’t need to negotiate with neighbours, which can save time and paperwork.

More Design Freedom – Detached homes often allow larger dormers or mansard conversions, giving you more usable space.

Bigger Volume Allowance – Under permitted development, detached houses can add up to 50m² of additional loft space (compared to 40m² for terraces).

Planning permission may still be needed for major changes, but overall, detached homes tend to offer the most flexibility and fewest restrictions for loft projects.

Yes — loft conversions are very common in terraced houses. In fact, many homeowners in London and other UK cities convert their lofts for extra space. A few things to be aware of:

Party Wall Agreement: Because your loft shares walls with your neighbours, you’ll likely need a Party Wall Agreement. We can guide you through this process.

Space Options: Dormer or Velux conversions are the most common for terraces, but Mansards are also possible if planning permission is granted.

Planning Rules: Terraced houses can add up to 40m² of additional loft space under permitted development. Anything larger usually requires planning permission.

We’ll advise on the best type of conversion for your terraced home and handle the permissions so everything runs smoothly.

Yes, although this can be discussed if you have a party wall agreement that states no work after certain hours or on certain days or you'd prefer work to only be done during the week, we can work to that.

Yes, we have a network of fantastic architects and can help with everything you need.