Hip to gable loft conversion costs and FAQs
A simple roofline loft conversion can be as little as £15,000 but more complicated conversions which involve changing the roof structure can be nearer £40,000 to £50,000. Hip to gable loft conversion costs would be towards the higher end of the cost spectrum and on average will cost between £45,000 and £50,000 depending on the final choice of interior accommodation.
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Loft conversions retain their popularity as a cost-effective way to extend space in the home, particularly with an uninspiring property market due to Brexit and the impact of a looming worldwide recession due to the Coronavirus pandemic yet to bite. This article discusses the cost of a hip to gable loft conversion and the influencing factors.
Loft conversion costs are usually dictated by two key factors:-
- The style of the conversion, cost of roofline Velux loft conversion will be significantly cheaper than a Mansard conversion (view costs here) or a dormer loft conversion (view costs here)
- How you fit out the interior accommodation – opting for kitchens and bathrooms can add anywhere from £10,000 to £20,000 to the final bill and represent as much as half of the overall cost
What is a hip to gable loft conversion?
A hip to gable loft conversions is a type of loft conversion design on properties which feature a hipped roof. This is a house which essentially has a roof with sloping sides in addition to the usual sloping planes at the front and the back. Because of the style of the roof, loft space is necessarily pretty limited which means the only way to convert it into usable accommodation is to dramatically alter the construction of the roof hence the cost.
The loft conversion is created by replacing the sloping roof with a vertical wall which is called a gable. The conversion extends the side roof area so that the hipped roof which used to slope inwards, becomes a vertical wall and is thereafter called a gable roof. This creates a really workable space for lots of different design opportunities.
What is a double hip to gable loft conversion?
This is where both sloping sides are extended to create what is called a double hip to gable loft conversion – this really maximises the available space. You can also add to this design a rear dormer at the back of the roof so effectively creating a rear dormer loft extension and a hip to gable loft conversion in one.
What type of properties best suit a hip to gable loft conversion?
This type of conversion is ideal for detached homes, semi-detached properties, bungalows and chalets. It is usually not an option on terraced houses unless they are the end property in the row. Hip to gable loft conversions are popular with 1930s properties but do actually work well for many styles of home. Click here to see hip to gable bungalow loft conversions costs.
What type of interior ideas can you use with a hip to gable loft conversion?
Hip to gable loft conversions can hugely impact on a property as they create a really decent amount of useable space. Here are some design ideas to whet your appetite:-
- Two children’s bedrooms and a family bathroom
- A rooftop workshop or studio for a new business idea
- A designated home office ideal for homeworkers and also students
- A luxury master bedroom with en-suite and a Juliet balcony
- A large master bedroom with dressing area and a luxurious bathroom with a spacious bath and shower
- A home cinema and media room freeing up at least one reception room downstairs for another purpose
- An open plan kitchen and living area which combined with a bedroom and en-suite on the floor below can create a self-contained annexe for a teenager or adult family member who is yet to buy their own property
Do you need planning permission for a hip to gable loft conversion?
Homeowners are allowed to alter and refurbish their properties under something called ‘Permitted Development’ or PD. Whether your proposed hip to gable loft conversion falls within PD will depend on the styling and how much alteration you make to the existing roof. Your loft conversion contractor or architect will be fully aware of the planning regulations and which styles of loft conversion will trigger the need to apply for planning permission and can advise you based on the drawings for your planned design.
If your property is a listed building and or in a conservation area then you will always need to get planning permission irrespective of whether your proposed loft conversion appears to fall within PD in normal circumstances. It is always important to check out the planning situation before you get carried away with a big idea. This is also relevant if the property has already been extended by previous owners, a point which is often overlooked.
A single planning permission application costs just under £200. If you revise your design significantly then you will have to make a fresh application for the new plans.
Will a hip to gable loft conversion increase the value of the property?
A decent loft conversion which adds valuable accommodation to the home has been estimated by some financial institutions to increase the value of the house by as much as 25%. This represents far better value for money than a ground floor or full height rear or side extension particularly with the loss of garden area or car parking.
A hip to gable loft conversion will offer the householder the chance to create two or possibly three rooms increasing the actual accommodation in the house by anywhere from a quarter to a third – this can make a significant impact on your daily life and you will really see the value of this when you come to sell the house.
A hip to gable loft conversion also offers the opportunity to make a design statement in terms of the interior. The rest of the house may be fairly traditionally laid out and styled particularly if it is an older or period property. An expansive loft conversion presents a blank canvas and the freedom to do something more modern and contemporary without detracting from the appearance of the rest of the house. In older properties, this can represent the best of both worlds.
What are the advantages of a hip to gable loft conversion?
Hip to gable loft conversions offer some distinct advantages over other more modest styles of conversion and these include:-
- You can site the new staircase above the existing staircase, not always possible in some loft conversions, stylistically this offers a much greater continuity and flow to the new accommodation and incorporates it seamlessly into the main house
- Plumbing from the bathroom below can be simply extended into the loft to supply another bathroom without the time and expense of re-routing it to a location in the loft which is further away but the only viable point to site a new bathroom
- A hip to gable loft conversion can revolutionise a small and restricted loft in a house with steep roof planes – it opens up both headroom and floor area and if you combine it with a rear dormer then you can create virtually an entire second storey in your home
How can you fund a hip to gable loft conversion?
Hip to gable loft conversions are one of the most expensive of the loft conversion types on the menu and although you will experience a significant uplift in the value of your property when it is finished, the funds still have to be found ahead of the works. People usually finance extensive projects like this in one of several ways:-
- Equity Release – an option for those in later years who have paid off their mortgage and want to release funds for home improvements and perhaps other schemes like helping children with a first house deposit or going on the holiday of a lifetime. Equity Release funds do not have to be applied solely for home improvements, the householder is free to spend the money as he wishes
- Home Improvement loans – sometimes also called a Further Advance, this comes from your existing mortgage lender and is only available if you have sufficient equity in the property before the works commence. You will also need to satisfy your lender’s affordability criteria and demonstrate that you can afford the additional monthly repayments which usually sit alongside the main mortgage and are spread over the remaining mortgage term
- Remortgage – it is an option to change lenders if you are not tied into an existing fixed-rate scheme and many people choose to do this quite regularly anyway to take advantage of better interest rate deals. This is also a good time to obtain capital funds for a loft conversion as part of the new mortgage deal. It is a more complex process moving the mortgage akin to taking out a mortgage when you buy a new house but it can be worth it in the long run
- Loft contractor finance – some roofing and conversion companies have a partnership with third-party financial institutions and can arrange funding for your project in the same way that you might take a loan to buy a car or an expensive three-piece suite. Eligibility will be subject to the usual credit checks and if your rating is not tip-top then you might be offered a different and less advantageous deal with a higher interest rate. The advantage is though you are not left paying the loan off for years which you will be with a further advance from your mortgage lender
Different financial schemes suit different householders, it depends on your circumstances and whether you intend to stay in the property for the long-term or sell it after the loft conversion is finished.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a hip to gable loft conversion take?
The actual length of time will depend upon the final choice of interior accommodation but allow anywhere from four to eight weeks from start to finish. This does not include the time spent drawing up the plans and applying for planning permission and negotiating Party Wall Awards with neighbours all of which can sometimes take between two to three months.
Is the loft conversion subject to building regulations?
The loft conversion project will need to be inspected by the Buildings Inspector to ensure compliance with modern building regulations. Amongst other things, this includes fire safety, staircase design and the integral strength of the new floor. Once planning permission has been obtained (if needed) then the drawings are submitted to the Building Inspector’s department along with the Schedule of Works and based on these, the inspector will plan a series of staged visits to inspect the works whilst they are in process. He usually signs off the project just prior to the internal decoration and fitting out.
Apart from the contractor’s costs, what other charges or fees will be there for a hip to gable loft conversion?
It is easy to overlook the extra professional fees and they can soon add up. Here are the type of things you will need to pay for:-
- Architect’s fees – usually between £800 and £1,000
- Planning permission – currently £170
- Buildings Inspection for compliance with building regulations – a few hundred depending on how many visits they need to make but usually under £1,000
- Listed Buildings Consent – if the house is listed and this is also determined by the local planning authority; there may be additional fees over and above the flat charge for planning permission
- Party Wall Award – this is an agreement with your neighbour/s to avoid disruption, nuisance and damage to their property whilst the works are ongoing. Most loft conversion projects require a Party Wall Award unless the property is detached and you are not right up against the boundary. Usually, this is handled by your contractor or surveyor but if your neighbour chooses to appoint their own surveyor to represent their interests which they are entitled to do, then you will also be liable for their professional fees
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