Do I need URA or BCA approval for an attic conversion?

An attic addition or structural roof conversion needs the applicable planning and building-control route established by the qualified person. They check the proposal, any relevant exemptions and the approvals and permits needed before work starts. We coordinate the submissions and include the review process in the programme.

How long does an attic conversion take?

It depends on how much of the roof changes, plus the approval period before any of it. A conversion inside the existing roof shell is the quicker kind of job. Adding dormers or changing the roof structure takes longer. The approval runs on the authorities' clock, not ours, so we give you a real schedule once the design is settled instead of a confident number on day one.

How much headroom do I need for a usable attic?

Enough to stand and move around comfortably, and under a pitched roof that means the usable area is smaller than the floor area. The low space near the eaves is better used for storage or built-ins. We measure the ridge height and the pitch at the site visit and show you the real usable footprint before you commit to anything. A dormer can add full standing height where the plan needs it, subject to approval.

Does an attic count towards my allowable floor area?

The qualified person checks floor-area treatment and the permissible envelope for your proposal. URA treats an attic as incidental space within the landed-house envelope, rather than a way to add an unrestricted storey. An added storey has a different planning classification, so the section and proposed use need to be assessed together.

Will an attic room be too hot to use?

Comfort depends on the roof build-up, glazing, shading, air movement, cooling design and how the room is used. We address those together. A reflective layer or an openable skylight alone does not establish comfortable conditions; roof ventilation and moisture control must also suit the construction.

Can I use a loft ladder instead of a staircase?

Access must suit the proposed use and applicable requirements. A ladder should not be assumed acceptable simply because an area is described as storage. For a habitable attic, plan suitable permanent access with the qualified person, including headroom and guarding, before fixing the room layout.

Can I put a bathroom in the attic?

Possibly, subject to the structure and an approved service arrangement. We trace water and sanitary routes with the appropriate professionals, including the Licensed Plumber, and coordinate drainage, floor build-up, waterproofing and maintenance access. A raised floor or pumped arrangement needs assessment rather than being assumed available.

Will cutting into the roof cause leaks?

New skylights, dormers and vents introduce junctions that need coordinated design, installation and appropriate checks. We include the specified flashings and waterproofing interfaces, record them before concealment and explain the handover and warranty arrangements. No test removes the need for proper detailing and maintenance.

Turn the space under your roof into a real room

Attic & Loft Conversion

Suitable roof space can become a bedroom, study or family room when its planning, structure, access and comfort requirements are resolved together. We assess the usable space, coordinate the qualified person and engineer, and plan the staircase, roof details, insulation and services before building under one contract.

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Why Choose Us

What You Get

We deal with the authorities

An attic addition to a landed house needs approval before anyone touches the roof. We bring in the qualified person, put the drawings together and file the submission, and nothing gets built until the approval is in hand.

Built for the heat

We coordinate insulation, glazing, shading, ventilation and air-conditioning around the roof construction and how you intend to use the room. The design needs to address both heat gain and comfort at the times you will occupy it.

The staircase is planned with the room

We plan a suitable access stair and floor opening with the attic layout, including headroom, guarding and the impact on the floor below. The qualified person checks the requirements for the intended use.

One contract, one company to answer

The structure, the roofing, the waterproofing, the staircase, the wiring and the finishes are all our scope. If a roof junction needs putting right, there is no argument about whose job it was.

Options

Materials & Systems

Mineral Wool Insulation

Rockwool or glasswool laid into the roof or ceiling build-up. The main defence against the heat, and it takes the edge off rain noise on a metal roof.

Reflective Foil Barrier

A possible radiant-heat-control layer where the roof design provides the arrangement it needs to function. It is coordinated with insulation, ventilation and moisture control.

Skylights & Roof Windows

Fixed or openable units selected for the proposed roof, glazing safety, heat and glare control, and a compatible flashing detail. Opening arrangements depend on the ventilation design.

Dormer Construction

A framed box built out from the roof slope, giving you full standing height and a vertical window. More work than a skylight, and it needs approval, but it changes what the room can do.

How It Works

Our Process

We come and look

We measure the roof space, check the ridge height and the pitch, look at the state of the roof structure, and show you how much of the floor actually gives you standing room.

We work out what is possible

We work with a qualified person to confirm what your plot and roof form allow. Then we settle the layout, where the stair lands, whether you want a skylight or a dormer, and how the insulation goes in.

We get it approved

We put the drawings together and file the submission with the authorities. The approval clock sits with the authorities, and we keep you posted while it runs.

We build it

Structure, floor, insulation, roof junctions, staircase and services follow the agreed design. Temporary weather protection and whether the house can remain occupied are settled in the project plan.

We finish and hand over

Ceilings, walls, flooring and built-ins complete the room. We carry out the agreed roof-junction checks before concealment and retain records, then walk the finished work with you.

Real people, real care

What working with us looks like

A thorough, free site assessment. We measure and plan around your home.

Careful, protected work by people who take pride in the finish.

A proper walkthrough and handover. We see it through to the end.

Common Questions

Attic & Loft Conversion FAQ

The cost depends on how much work your existing roof needs, so we price the actual job after a free site visit. The big drivers are whether you stay inside the current roof shape or add dormers, the floor and insulation build-up, the staircase, and whether you want a bathroom or aircon up there. The qualified person's fee and the submission are part of it too. Two attics the same size can land at very different prices.

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