Loft bedroom opening onto a roof terrace with a glass balustrade, looking out over the trees

Our Services

Loft conversions in Blackheath and South East London

Turning unused roof space into proper rooms, with the structural work, insulation and finish held to the same standard throughout.

Book a site visit

What We Do

Loft conversions, built properly

A loft conversion can add a bedroom, a bathroom or a home office without giving up any of the garden. We take it from the structural work and the new staircase through to insulation, plastering and the final finish, with Freddie overseeing every stage.

Most of the lofts we build are in the Victorian and Edwardian houses of Blackheath, Lee, Greenwich and Brockley, where the roof space is often generous and the new stairs can usually continue up from the existing landing. As a family run building company in Blackheath, we know the local councils, the conservation areas and the way these houses are put together.

Most clients stay at home while we work, so we plan the access and the order of works to keep the rest of the house running as normal. Building Control is managed for you, and roofing work comes with 10 year cover.

What we handle

  • Structural steels and the new floor
  • A new staircase up from the existing landing
  • Dormers, roof lights and glazing
  • Insulation, plastering and joinery
  • Bathrooms and en suites
  • Building Control, from start to completion
  • 10 year cover on roofing work

Our Work

Loft conversions we have built

New top floor clad in timber, with a roof terrace behind a glass balustrade Loft bedroom under a roof light, with sliding doors onto the terrace New staircase rising to the loft, with black metal balustrades Roof terrace with a glass balustrade, looking out over the trees Loft shower room with sage green walls and black fittings Second loft bedroom with tall windows over South East London

Types of Loft Conversion

The loft conversions we build

The right type depends on the shape of your roof, the space you need and what the council will allow on your street. Freddie will talk you through the options at the site visit.

01

Rear dormer

The most common loft conversion on terraced and semi detached houses. A box shaped extension is built out from the rear roof slope, giving full standing height across most of the room and space for a bedroom with an en suite. Outside a conservation area, a rear dormer can often be built under permitted development, without a planning application.

02

L shaped dormer

Many Victorian terraces in South East London have a back addition, the narrower two storey wing at the rear. An L shaped dormer runs across the main roof and over that wing, which is usually enough for two bedrooms, or a main bedroom with a generous bathroom.

03

Mansard

A mansard replaces the rear roof slope with an almost vertical wall and a flat roof, giving the most space of any loft conversion. It is a traditional London roof and suits period streets well, though it nearly always needs planning permission. Councils are more likely to approve one where neighbouring houses already have one.

04

Hip to gable

On semi detached and end of terrace houses with a sloping side roof, the side is built up into a vertical gable wall. That makes room for the new staircase to rise over the existing one, and it is often combined with a rear dormer for a full sized top floor.

Before Work Starts

Planning a loft conversion in Blackheath

Most of the questions in the early weeks are about permissions. This is how they usually work in this part of London, and we go through each one for your own house.

01

Permitted development or planning permission

Many rear dormers and hip to gable conversions fall under permitted development, so no planning application is needed, as long as the new space stays within set limits: 40 cubic metres on a terraced house and 50 on a semi detached or detached one. It does not cover flats, or dormers on the roof slope facing the street. We recommend a Lawful Development Certificate from the council to confirm it in writing, and the Planning Portal guide to loft conversions sets out the full rules.

02

Conservation areas

Much of Blackheath, Greenwich and Brockley sits inside conservation areas, where roof extensions are not permitted development and a planning application is needed. The council will look closely at the materials, the size of the dormer or mansard and how it sits alongside the rest of the street. Good drawings from an architect who knows the area make a real difference, and we can introduce you to architects we have worked with for years.

03

Party walls

On a terraced or semi detached house, the new steels usually sit in the wall you share with your neighbour, so the Party Wall Act applies. Your neighbours need written notice at least two months before that work begins, and they have 14 days to agree or appoint a surveyor. Serving notice early keeps it from holding up the start date.

04

Building regulations

Every loft conversion needs Building Regulations approval, whether or not it needs planning permission. That covers the structure, the staircase, insulation, sound and, most importantly, a protected escape route in case of fire. We manage Building Control from start to finish, including the inspections, and you receive the completion certificate at the end.

Before You Ask

Common questions

Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?

Not always. Many rear dormers and hip to gable conversions on houses come under permitted development. In a conservation area, on a flat, or for a mansard, you will almost always need planning permission. We will tell you which applies to your house at the site visit.

How long does a loft conversion take?

A typical dormer conversion takes around eight to twelve weeks on site, and a mansard a little longer. Allow time beforehand for drawings, approvals and party wall notices. Once the project is agreed, you receive a detailed programme with an estimated timeframe.

Can we stay in the house while you work?

Yes, and with a loft that is usually easier than with other projects. Most of the work is reached from the scaffold outside, and the opening for the new staircase is left until late in the job, so the rest of the house carries on as normal for most of the build.

Is my loft tall enough to convert?

As a rough guide, you need about 2.2 metres between the top of the ceiling joists and the underside of the ridge. If there is less, a mansard or lowering the ceilings below can sometimes make it work. Freddie will measure up and give you an honest answer at the site visit.

What affects the cost of a loft conversion?

Mainly the type and size of the conversion, the amount of structural steel, whether you add a bathroom, the glazing and the level of finish. Access, scaffolding and any conservation area requirements play a part too. You receive a detailed written quote after the site visit, and we go through it with you.

Do you manage Building Control?

Yes. Once the contract is in place, we manage the Building Control process, including liaison, arranging inspections and seeing it through to completion.

Let's Talk It Through

Planning a loft conversion?

Tell us what you have in mind and Freddie will come out to take a proper look, with no obligation and no pressure either way.

Book a site visit Call us 07867 924183