Loft Conversions
North London

Build and Extend is North London’s finest luxury loft conversion specialist. With hundreds of exquisitely designed and impeccably finished loft conversions completed throughout the capital over the last decade, you can be sure that when it comes to innovation, craftsmanship and care, there are no better loft conversions in London than those created by Build and Extend.

END-TO-END LOFT CONVERSIONS SERVICE

When considering a loft conversion in North London or anywhere across the capital, you will no doubt have a million questions – from those related to complex planning permission, project timing, and amount of disruption to you and your neighbours to the finesse of interior design – Build and Extend is here to answer them all. Our end-to-end loft conversion service means that we’re with you, listening to your needs, actioning your wishes and answering your questions, from when you call to book an initial discussion to the day we complete your project.

Stairs to Loft Conversion

Stairs are an essential part of any north London loft conversion - why not make them a quirky design feature?

Loft Conversion Office

Work from home undisturbed and while adding value to your north London property.

Loft Conversion Bathroom

Adding an extra bathroom, is one of the most popular choices for a north London loft conversion.

Loft Conversion Bedroom

Growing families in north London need space and an extra bedroom can go a long way to help achieve home harmony.

INNOVATION
& STYLE, FUSED
BY BESPOKE
CRAFTSMANSHIP

If you’re looking to extend upwards into your roof space to add an elegant new main bedroom with en suite, a light and airy art studio, a home office or a playroom for the kids…

If you want the sun to stream in through generous double-aspect Velux windows, a floor-to-ceiling glazed wall, or the doors to your balcony.

If you need extra head height, space at home or somewhere to escape for a little relaxed ‘me’ time…

Then our team of skilled architects, interior designers and tradespeople can make that happen!

STEP BY STEP, WHAT TO EXPECT

Assessment

A member of our highly experienced design team will meet you at your property to assess what’s possible and what’s desired. They will be able to determine the likelihood of planning permission being required and the complexity of the project and advise on potential options for the structure of your loft conversion.

Planning

Where it is determined that planning permission is required, as is sometimes the case with loft extensions in London, our team will produce all drawings and elevations needed to give your application the best chance of succeeding or work with your architects to assist in this process.

Project manager

Every project we work on will be allocated a dedicated project manager from day one. They will supervise your project, coordinate all contractors and trades and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Building control

As a matter of course, if planning permission is sought and granted, the local authority will send a building control officer to inspect the work as it progresses. Once completed and they are satisfied, they will issue a completion certificate.

Completion

The building control officer’s completion certificate will be added to a folder that we’ll provide for you that contains all the certifications we have gathered along the way, including gas and electrics, manufacturer’s warranties and our 15-year structural warranty.

TYPES OF LOFT CONVERSION

DORMER

A dormer loft conversion is the best option for a London homeowner who wants to create additional space in the house. The dormer loft is built vertically on top of an existing sloping roof and will require planning permission. It will also require relatively simple building works. With vertical walls and a horizontal ceiling, the extension provides extra floor space and headroom, immersed in natural light from the dormer windows.

MANSARD

Mansard loft gets its name from the famous French Architect Francois Mansard. These lofts are usually located on the backside of the home with a flat roof type. They have a steep inward sloping angle of 72 degrees (may be curved) with small dormer windows. Mansards loft conversion became very popular in London due to maximising the attic space and the ability to use all roof space. These types of loft conversion could be the preferred option in sensitive areas where the original framework of the property is available to maintain the property's character. Generally, Mansard owners prefer a flat room Mansard style because it is the most cost-effective. However, most mansard loft conversion in London will require planning permission because it involves structural work, and the roof shape will be reconstructed.

L-SHAPED MANSARD

The space inside the loft and resale value of the house can be increased considerably by implementing L shaped mansard. This type of loft conversion is very suitable if you want to convert the attic into an open-plan bedroom with an en suite.

DOUBLE MANSARD

A double mansard loft conversion is quite similar to a standard mansard conversion, except that it also features a mansard to the front side of the house. This loft conversion will significantly increase the space by adding a mansard to both the rear and front sides of the house, and both sides of the roof will be kept open. Since in this conversion, changes will be made to the front design of the roof, too; therefore, it might be challenging to carry out this type of loft conversion in some cases even if you have the planning permission.

HIPPED ROOF

For the Hipped roof type, a hip end is a sloping end to a roof, and a gable is the triangular section of wall which stands between two sloping roofs. Keeping this in mind, you could consider various types of hipped roof loft conversion.

HALF-HIPPED

Hybrid of a hipped and a gable roof.

HIP TO GABLE

This type of hip roof loft conversion option is preferred for houses with a reasonably small internal volume using an intelligent solution to maximise their space. This conversion increases the attic space's size by changing the property's sloping side to a flat gable end and allowing room for the staircase. It extends the roof's ridge line from the existing hips to the furthest vertical wall. Similarly to the double mansard loft conversion types that change the roof’s outline, planning permission could be required.

HIP OR HIPPED

A hipped roof is sloped in two pairs of directions, contrasting with the one approach for a gable roof type.

GAMBREL (CURB, KERB)

This roof is quite similar to a mansard top except that it has a symmetrical two-sided roof with each side containing two slopes and vertical gable ends. Of the two slopes, the upper one has a shallow angle, and the lower one has a steep curve. Gambrel roof provides the advantage of a sloped roof while maximising headroom inside the building’s upper level. In most cases, gambrel loft will require planning permission.

DUTCH GABLE (GABLET)

The reverse hybrid of a hipped and a gable roof.

CROSS HIPPED

Joining two or more hip roof sections together results in an L or T shape formation or any other number of different and more complex formations. The most common hipped roof type is the hip to gable loft conversion, which gives you a much larger living space in the existing attic area, allows you to gain the best staircase positioning, and could even accommodate a shower room and increase standing space.

VELUX OR ROOF-LIGHT

As Velux is the leading window brand and manufacturer of the types of windows used in this loft conversion, Velux loft conversions were named after them. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to convert a loft, and it involves creating a roof with sloping window(s) pointing towards the sky, fitting the existing roof line and leaving the original roof structure untouched. Therefore, planning permission is not generally required. In this type of loft conversion, Velux windows are installed to the existing roof line; hence, no extensive alterations need to be made to the roof while lowering the conversion costs.

NORTH LONDON LOFT CONVERSION COST

We would love to provide you with a simple fee chart, but it just does not exist, as every loft conversion project we work on is wholly tailored to our client’s exacting specifications. There will be limitations created by planning permission, the footprint of the property, and whether your home is in a conservation area or is a listed building – all of which make our work more challenging, and we do like a challenge – but beyond this, it depends on how vivid and expansive your loft conversion dreams are.

We assure you of our commitment to quoting clarity and our record of bringing projects in on budget and time.

Do I require planning permission for an extension to my home?

You may need planning permission if you: Are planning an extension of more than 6 meters (or 8 meters for a detached home) Are planning a double-storey extension Live in a listed property Have already altered the home considerably Live in a conservation area
What size extension can I build without planning permission?

You can build a single-storey extension of up to 6 meters without planning permission, or 8 meters if your home is detached. Talk to the team at Build and Extend about your proposed extension, and any necessary permits you may require.
What are the benefits of extending my home?

For most homeowners, the benefits of a home extension include: Extra space Improved functionality Increased home value Avoid moving costs (agents fees, stamp duty, legal fees etc.) Less stress than moving house
How long does it take to build a home extension?

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, Build and Extend, specialist builders in North London, generally allow between 3 – 4 months for project completion.
How much value will a home extension add to my home?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question: the size and style you choose will ultimately determine how much value your extension adds to your home. Adding on a generous master bedroom with an ensuite is a sure-fire way to up the value of your property, as is an additional bathroom or open plan living space.

Loft Conversions
North London

END-TO-END LOFT CONVERSIONS SERVICE

INNOVATION
& STYLE, FUSED
BY BESPOKE
CRAFTSMANSHIP