A loft conversion is a popular home improvement project and can have a range of benefits for many homeowners. It will add to the usable space of your home, which can improve the quality of life of everyone living there. And if you do decide to eventually sell, then a loft conversion can also add value to a house.
On average, it is estimated that a loft conversion can increase the value of your property by between 10% and 25%. The average house price in the UK was £291,044 in 2023, so you could be looking at an average increase of 29,104.40 up to £72,761.
Of course, this added value will be offset by the loft conversion cost. This is less of an issue if you are planning on installing a loft conversion for your own use and aren't too concerned about the added value. If, however, the value a loft conversion adds is important then this will factor into your decision making.
If you need advice about how to make the most of your loft conversion, Loft Crew can help. We are experts in loft conversions and we will work closely with you to ensure that your extension will add the greatest value not just to your property but to your life.
Take a look: How Much Does A Loft Conversion Cost
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to loft conversions. There are a wide range of options available. These will all differ in how much they cost but they can also add different amounts of value to the property.
For example, a larger loft conversion that creates a double bedroom and en suite bathroom will add more value to your property than a smaller loft conversion that makes the loft space usable but doesn't increase its size. But it will also cost more to install.
The most common loft conversion types are:
Some of these loft conversion types will more extensive building work than others and not all will be possible, depending on the type of roof that you have.
When thinking about the value that loft conversions add, you need to think about the return on investment (ROI). This is the amount of money that it costs to install the loft conversion taken away from the extra value that it adds to your property.
Sometimes a loft conversion may be so expensive that you won't make any profit after the value is added to your property price. In other cases, the value added to your home could be far greater than it cost to install the loft conversion.
Some loft conversions will also need planning permission before you can install them, but most types won't. Planning permission will cost some money, usually between £200 and £300, so it shouldn't significantly add to the cost of the project. Although it can be a time-consuming process. It is always worth checking with your local authority and different rules will apply if your home is in a conservation area or is a listed building.
Let's take a closer look at the different types, how much loft conversions cost, and how this could affect the value they add to your home.
Explore: Do You Need Planning Permission For Loft Conversions
Dormer loft conversions are the most popular type in the UK. They consist of a box-like structure that projects from a property's existing roof lines.
The dormer extension will have vertical walls which add extra headroom. This will help to make the loft space more comfortably usable. The extra height coupled with the now usable floor space will create an extra bedroom, office, playroom, or whatever you plan to create.
The dormer windows are perfectly placed and designed to maximise the amount of sunlight. A dormer loft conversion isn't a dark and dingy space. It is light, airy, and comfortable.
Dormer extensions come in different designs and shapes, depending on the shape of your roof space, and the type of extension you want. You can have a standard flat roof dormer, a side dormer, an L-shaped dormer, or a pitched roof dormer.
Dormer extensions aren't the cheapest type of loft conversion. Depending on the size and the complexity of the job, you could be looking at paying between £30,000 and £45,000.
For an L-shaped dormer, this can be more expensive because it connects two separate dormers. This could be more in the range of £50,000 to £60,000.
You won't usually need to apply for planning permission for a dormer loft conversion because it usually won't significantly alter the exterior of your home.
Truss lot conversions are needed if you have a trussed roof. A trussed roof is created with an engineered structural framework consisting of triangulated timber. It is a clever design that means the weight of the roof is distributed more evenly than a traditional framed roof with rafters. And it uses 40% less timber.
When it comes to loft conversions, however, a trussed roof can cause complications. Because of the complexity of the design and how carefully the weight is distributed, the structure of it can't be altered. With a traditional rafter roof, there is more scope for removing and altering rafters but this can't really be done with a trussed roof.
Because of this, a loft conversion will need to work around the trusses and careful planning will be required. The extension will likely be more difficult to insulate without limiting the amount of extra space and ventilation may also be tricky to implement.
A dormer-type loft is usually the best option for a trussed roof but the exact design will depend on how it can fit in amongst the trusses.
A truss loft conversion can be smaller than a normal dormer loft conversion, which can work out cheaper. However, the complexities of installing an extension in a trussed roof can push the cost back up.
You can expect to pay anywhere between £15,000 and £25,000 for a truss loft conversion.
You wouldn't usually need to apply for planning permission for a truss conversion because it won't alter the exterior of the property. So they will fall under permitted development rights.
A hip-to-gable loft conversion is perfect for detached or semi-detached houses. It is similar to a rear dormer but it actually alters the roof line which creates a lot more space. It straightens an inwardly slanting roof to create a vertical loft room wall.
In other words, the hip end of the roof is removed and the wall is extended vertically to create a gable.
This type of loft conversion is more complicated to install than a standard dormer but it is ideal for maximising space, especially headroom.
Because it requires more extensive work, a hip-to-gable conversion is more expensive than a dormer loft conversion. You can expect to pay between £40,000 and £65,000 for this type of conversion.
A hip-to-gable loft conversion will normally fall under permitted development, so you shouldn't need to apply for planning permission.
If you truly want to maximise the space that your loft conversion will add, then a mansard conversion is a good option. It is similar to a hip-to-gable conversion but a full horizontal roof is created with an almost 72-degree back wall.
You are left with truly room-shaped proportions and a roof that is almost flat with an almost vertical side. The loft space this creates is about as big as it is possible to achieve. And without any slopes, you aren't limited with how you use, furnish, or decorate your new room.
A loft conversion incorporating a mansard roof does significantly alter the roof itself. Because of the extensive work required, this can be an expensive option compared to other loft conversion types.
You can expect to pay anywhere from £45,000 up to £70,000 for this type of loft conversion.
Yes. In almost all cases, you will need to apply for planning permission to create a mansard loft conversion. This is because it drastically changes the shape of the roof structure, so it won't fall under permitted development.
This type of loft conversion entails raising the existing perimeter walls using brickwork and then pitching a new roof. This structure is stepped back from the front elevation of the property.
The entire roof is removed for this project, and then the perimeter walls are raised by around 1.3m before a new roof is pitched.
This creates a large amount of headroom as well as a very usable space that can incorporate multiple bedrooms and potentially an en suite.
Again, this is an expensive option because you are removing the roof and creating a new one. You could expect to pay between £50,000 and £80,000 for this type of loft conversion.
Yes. You will usually need to apply for planning permission for a piggyback loft conversion because it significantly alters the roof of the property.
This is in many ways the most cost-effective option for a roof conversion. There are no alterations made to the shape or structure of the roof and no additional walls are added.
Instead, large windows (often Velux windows) are placed in the sloped part of the roof. These roof windows add light to the space to make the room usable.
These roof lights can be placed wherever you like and you can add multiple ones. They can be opened for added ventilation and in some cases, you can even create a balcony window.
Some people prefer the look of a roof light loft conversion because it is less imposing than a dormer although they don't add any extra headroom so the use of the room may be more limited.
This is the cheapest of the loft conversions and will usually cost between £20,000 and £30,000.
You don't usually need planning permission for a roof light or Velux loft conversion because it doesn't alter the shape of the roof.
In almost all cases, a loft conversion will add value to your home. Exactly how much value will depend on a variety of factors, including the location of your home and the type of loft conversion you have opted for. In some cases, to get the most value it can be better to opt for something less expensive so that you make more of a profit. Any added space will add value, after all. But the usability and extra space that can be created with more extensive conversions can in some cases be well worth it. Converting a two-bedroom house to a true three-bedroom house can make its value skyrocket.
We are experts in loft conversions. If you are looking to convert your loft, we are here to help. We can give you advice about building regulations, the type of conversion that would work best for your property, how to add the most value to your home, and design choices.
Our experienced and highly qualified team will create a detailed plan with a comprehensive quote so you will know from the beginning how much your loft conversion is likely to cost and will ensure that the building work is completed efficiently and within the timescale.
Your loft conversion is in safe hands with Loft Crew, and you will soon be enjoying the extra space and value it will add to your home.
How much value does a loft conversion add to a property? It depends. Studies have shown that it can increase the value of a property by 10% to 25%. But this will depend on the property type, condition, and location. And it will also depend on the type of loft conversion. The cost of different loft conversions will also vary, with some being much more expensive than others, which can offset the increase in the property value.
