Many dormer and rooflight conversions fall under permitted development, provided they meet volume and height limits. Hip-to-gable and mansard conversions, and any conversion in a conservation area, more often need full planning permission.

Building regulations generally require a minimum head height at the top of the stairs, so the existing roof height and pitch determine what's possible before design even starts. We check this on the first site visit.

Design and planning typically take a few months, depending on the route required. Construction usually takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the type of conversion and structural work involved.

There is some disruption, but most loft conversions can be built with scaffolding accessed from outside, keeping the impact on the rest of the house to a minimum until final connection works.

A well-designed loft conversion, particularly one that adds a bedroom or en-suite, usually increases a property's value. The actual return depends on the local market and the quality of the finished space.