Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding loft conversions

  • The following permits may be needed for a loft conversion:

    • Building regulations approval: Building regulations approval ensures that the work complies with building regulations, which are designed to ensure the safety of people and property.

    • Party wall agreement: If your loft conversion involves any work to the party wall, you will need to get a party wall agreement from your neighbour. Read more about party wall agreements here.

    • Tree preservation order: If your property is located in an area with a tree preservation order, you may need to get permission from the local authority before carrying out any work that could affect a tree.

    • Bat survey: If you think there may be bats living in your loft, you will need to have a bat survey carried out. Bats are a protected species and, if your loft is home to a roost of them, you may need to obtain a mitigation licence to carry out the work.

    In addition to the above permits, you may also need to apply for a planning permission if your loft conversion exceeds certain limits and conditions. You can read more about planning permissions here.

    To check if you need planning permission for a loft conversion, you can use a handy tool on the Planning Portal website.

  • Yes, loft conversions are considered permitted development in England and Wales, as long as they meet certain criteria. These criteria include:

    • The loft conversion must not exceed a certain volume. The maximum volume for a loft conversion is 50 cubic meters for detached and semi-detached houses, and 40 cubic meters for terraced houses.

    • The loft conversion must not extend beyond the existing roofline.

    • The loft conversion must not have more than two dormer windows.

    • The loft conversion must not create a new habitable room.

    • The loft conversion must not be used for commercial purposes.

    If your loft conversion meets these criteria, you do not need to apply for planning permission. However, it is always a good idea to check with your local planning authority to make sure that there are no other restrictions that may apply.

    You can read more about permitted development here.

  • There are many types of lofts that can be converted, but the most common are:

    • Dormer loft conversions: This is the most popular type of loft conversion. It involves adding a dormer window to the roof, which creates more headroom and space. Dormer loft conversions can be either flat-roofed or pitched.

    • Hip-to-gable loft conversions: This type of conversion involves extending the roof at the gable end, creating a vertical wall. This can add a significant amount of space to the loft.

    • Mansard loft conversions: This type of conversion involves sloping the roof at a steeper angle, creating a more attic-like space. Mansard loft conversions can be very stylish, but they can also be more expensive than other types of conversions.

    • L-shaped loft conversions: This type of conversion involves adding a dormer window to one side of the roof and extending the roof at the other side. This can create a large, L-shaped loft space.

    You can read more about the different types here.

  • The time it takes to convert a loft depends on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of the conversion, the materials used, and the availability of skilled tradespeople. However, on average, a loft conversion can take anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks to complete.

    Here is a breakdown of the average time it takes to complete different types of loft conversions:

    • Roof light conversions: These are the simplest type of loft conversion and can be completed in as little as 4 weeks.

    • Dormer conversions: These conversions involve adding a dormer window to the roof, which can increase the headroom and floor space in the loft. Dormer conversions typically take 5 to 6 weeks to complete.

    • Hip-to-gable conversions: These conversions involve extending the roof at the gable end, which can create a larger loft space. Hip-to-gable conversions typically take 6 to 7 weeks to complete.

    • Mansard conversions: These conversions involve replacing the entire roof with a Mansard roof, which is a type of roof with sloping sides and a flat top. Mansard conversions are the most complex type of loft conversion and can take up to 8 weeks to complete.

    It is important to note that these are just average time estimates. The actual time it takes to convert your loft may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your project.

    Here are some tips for speeding up the process of converting your loft:

    • Be prepared to make decisions quickly: The contractor will need to know what you want in order to get started on the project. The more time they have to wait for your decisions, the longer the project will take.

    • Be available to answer questions and make changes: The contractor may need to contact you with questions or to request changes to the plans. Be prepared to respond promptly so that the project can stay on track.

  • Whether or not you need planning permission for a loft conversion depends on a number of factors, including the size of the conversion, the location of your property, and the type of materials you plan to use. In general, most loft conversions do not require planning permission as they are considered permitted development, but there are some exceptions. If you plan to alter or extend the roof space, for instance, you will need planning permission.

    Here are some other things you need to consider when determining whether or not you need planning permission for a loft conversion:

    • The size of the conversion: If the total floor area of the loft conversion is less than 40 cubic meters for a terraced house or 50 cubic meters for a detached or semi-detached house, you do not need planning permission.

    • The location of your property: If your property is located in a conservation area or a designated area, you may need planning permission for a loft conversion, even if the conversion is smaller than 40 or 50 cubic meters.

    • The type of materials you plan to use: If you plan to use materials that are not similar in appearance to the existing house, you may need planning permission.

    You can read more about planning permissions in our blog post here.

Questions regarding permits and agreements

  • The following permits may be needed for a loft conversion:

    • Building regulations approval: Building regulations approval ensures that the work complies with building regulations, which are designed to ensure the safety of people and property.

    • Party wall agreement: If your loft conversion involves any work to the party wall, you will need to get a party wall agreement from your neighbour. Read more about party wall agreements here.

    • Tree preservation order: If your property is located in an area with a tree preservation order, you may need to get permission from the local authority before carrying out any work that could affect a tree.

    • Bat survey: If you think there may be bats living in your loft, you will need to have a bat survey carried out. Bats are a protected species and, if your loft is home to a roost of them, you may need to obtain a mitigation licence to carry out the work.

    In addition to the above permits, you may also need to apply for a planning permission if your loft conversion exceeds certain limits and conditions. You can read more about planning permissions here.

    To check if you need planning permission for a loft conversion, you can use a handy tool on the Planning Portal website.

  • The permits you need for a kitchen extension will vary depending on your location and the size and scope of the project. In general, you will need to obtain a building permit from your local municipality. You may also need to obtain a planning permit, depending on the size and location of the extension.

    Here are some of the most common permits you may need for a kitchen extension:

    • Building permit: A building permit is required for any construction project that alters the structure of a building. This includes kitchen extensions, as well as other projects such as adding a bathroom, garage, or bedroom.

    • Planning permit: A planning permit is required for any project that changes the appearance of a building or its surroundings. This includes kitchen extensions that are located in front of the house, near a road, or next to a boundary.

    • Building regulations approval: Building regulations approval is required to ensure that your kitchen extension complies with all applicable building codes and standards. This approval is typically granted by your local council.

    In addition to these permits, you may also need to obtain permits from other entities, such as the fire department or the local utilities company. These permits are typically required for projects that involve changes to the electrical, plumbing, or gas systems.

    It is important to note that the requirements for permits can vary from one council area to another. Therefore, it is always best to check with your local council to determine the specific permits you will need for your kitchen extension.

  • Permitted development is a type of planning permission that allows certain types of development to be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission from the local planning authority. In England, permitted development rights are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

    There are a wide range of activities that are permitted development, including building a single-storey extension to the rear of a house and making changes to the internal layout of a house.

    Permitted development rights are not absolute, and there are a number of conditions that must be met in order to qualify. For example, the size and location of any extension must be within certain limits, and there may be restrictions on the type of materials that can be used.

    If you are considering carrying out any development that may fall within permitted development, it is important to check with your local planning authority to confirm whether your proposed works are permitted. You can do this by contacting your local planning department or by using the Planning Portal website.

    You can read more about permitted development here.

  • A party wall agreement is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions under which building work can be carried out on a party wall or adjoining structure. A party wall is a wall that separates two properties, and an adjoining structure is any other structure that is near to or shares a boundary with a party wall.

    The Party Wall etc Act 1996 (the Act) sets out the rules for party wall agreements in England and Wales. The Act applies to all types of building work, including loft conversions and extensions.

    If you are planning to carry out these types of building work, you will need to serve a party wall notice on your neighbour(s). The notice must be served at least two months before you start work.

    Your neighbour(s) has 14 days to respond to your notice. If they do not respond, you can proceed with the work, but you must still follow the procedures set out in the Act.

    If your neighbour(s) does respond to your notice, you will need to agree a party wall agreement with them. The agreement must be in writing and must set out the following:

    • The type of work that you are planning to carry out

    • The method of construction that you will use

    • The dates on which the work will be carried out

    • The amount of compensation that you will pay to your neighbour(s) for any damage caused by the work

    You can read more about party wall agreements here. And party wall surveyors here.

  • You can read more about building regulations here.

Questions regarding extensions

  • The permits you need for a kitchen extension will vary depending on your location and the size and scope of the project. In general, you will need to obtain a building permit from your local municipality. You may also need to obtain a planning permit, depending on the size and location of the extension.

    Here are some of the most common permits you may need for a kitchen extension:

    • Building permit: A building permit is required for any construction project that alters the structure of a building. This includes kitchen extensions, as well as other projects such as adding a bathroom, garage, or bedroom.

    • Planning permit: A planning permit is required for any project that changes the appearance of a building or its surroundings. This includes kitchen extensions that are located in front of the house, near a road, or next to a boundary.

    • Building regulations approval: Building regulations approval is required to ensure that your kitchen extension complies with all applicable building codes and standards. This approval is typically granted by your local council.

    In addition to these permits, you may also need to obtain permits from other entities, such as the fire department or the local utilities company. These permits are typically required for projects that involve changes to the electrical, plumbing, or gas systems.

    It is important to note that the requirements for permits can vary from one council area to another. Therefore, it is always best to check with your local council to determine the specific permits you will need for your kitchen extension.

Miscellaneous questions

  • Yes! We can provide joinery, interior design and interior decoration services as well as plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople for all your needs.

  • Yes! Our sister company Albeno Ltd can design, build and fit any joinery-related items in your loft or kitchen extensions. These include for instance cupboards, wood-framed windows, doors, kitchens and bespoke furniture. You can find more information at www.albeno.co.uk