Cost of Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

Want to discover all the details of hip to gable loft conversion costs?

A hip to gable loft conversion is becoming a prevalent home feature for semi-detached and detached properties that have a hipped roof. This means that they have a roof that has a sloping side as well as the slopes at the front and back.

So, how much will it cost you?

The average cost for a hip to gable loft conversion in the UK is £45,000, but this guide will help you calculate exactly how much a hip to gable conversion will cost you.

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How Much Does a Hip To Gable Loft Conversion Cost?

Adding a hip to gable loft conversion is a great way to add more living space to your home. It can be used as an extra bedroom, a spare room, or an office. Basically, whatever extra room you would like to add to your home, it can be added in a hip to gable loft conversion space.

This type of conversion works by changing the sloping side so that they convert into vertical walls instead of remaining sloping as they did before. This then turns it into a gable roof instead of a hipped roof, and it creates extra living space.

A hip to gable loft conversion is not really something that can be completed on a budget. The average cost for this type of loft conversion is around £40,000-£65,000. It's also a very big project that requires a lot of time and a lot of work. The average timescale for this type of loft conversion is usually around 6-8 weeks from start to completion.

Hip To Gable Loft Conversion Prices

Below are the estimated costs for hiring a tradesperson to fit mid-range (£25/m²) floor tiles in different sized rooms.

Supply Costs Only

Below is a list of the separate costs that you may need to pay for your loft conversion:

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Additional Costs

There are a number of additional costs that may come up during a hip to gable loft conversion. Below is a list of those extra costs that may come up:

• Light fittings - £80-£150
• Fitting a radiator - £180-£240
• Replacing roof tiles - £180-£200
• Architect costs - £500-£1200
• Render/Paint/Clad house exterior - £3500-£4500
• Roof repair - £350-£500
• Underfloor heating - £700-£1000
• Installing wet room - £7500-£8500
• Bat survey - £300-£500
• Moving a water tank - £400-£1000

Labour Costs and Timescales

When it comes to a hip and gable loft conversion, there are several different types of tradespeople that need to be involved in the job. There will usually be around 2-3 people working on the project at any one time.

On average, the total amount you can expect to pay for labour for a hip to gable loft conversion is around £20,000-£35,000. Below is a list of the costs that you can expect to pay for the different elements of labour for this type of project:

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Cost Factors of Building a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

There are several factors that may affect the overall cost of the job. Below is a list of the main things that may affect the overall expense:

Size of Conversion

The size of the conversion can affect the overall cost of the job. A larger loft conversion will cost more, as it will need more materials. It will also take much longer to complete and so will end up costing more in labour.

Window Choices

The more windows you want in your new loft room, the more you can expect to pay. Dormer windows tend to cost more than Velux style windows. Dormer windows will cost around £4000-£6000 each, whereas Velux windows will cost about £800-£1100 each.

Plumbing Costs

The more plumbing that needs to be added to the loft, the more you will end up paying in plumbing costs. The cost of plumbing includes material costs and plumbing labour costs. Usually, a plumber will charge around £35-£45 per hour.

Internal Walls

If you would like to split your new loft area into more than one room, you will have to pay additional costs for internal walls. Adding an internal stud wall with plastering will cost around £700-£1000 depending on the size.

Electricity Costs

The more electrical sockets and lights that need to be installed in your new loft area, the more you will end up paying. An electrician will usually charge an hourly rate, so you can easily save on costs by choosing electrical items that are easy to install. The average price per hour for an electrician is around £50-£120.

What's Involved in a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion?

A hip to gable loft conversion is a very large job that requires a lot of work. If you are able to choose a contractor who is able to provide all of the relevant tradesmen in an organised fashion with no delays, and if the weather is kind to you, this is how you can expect the work to go:

First Week

The job will begin with erecting scaffolding. All of the materials needed for the job will be gathered on-site, and then the roof will be opened up so that all areas can be accessed.

Second Week

During this week, your roof structure will be altered, and walls will be added. Extra supports will be installed as needed, and if you are having windows installed, these will also be installed during this stage.

Third Week

On the third week, all of the external work will be finished. All of the remaining construction on the roof will be finished off during this stage too, and any tiles that need to be added or replaced will be completed at this time. Insulation will also be added to the roof. On the internal side, the loft space will now be ready for any electrical or plumbing work that needs to be done.

Fourth Week

If there are any windows that haven't yet been fitted, these will be added now. The floor will then be ventilated as needed, and the plasterboard will also be fitted. If there are any internal walls going into the new loft space, these will also be added now.

Fifth Week

This is the point when the stairs will be added. If you are fitting a bathroom up there, this will also go in during this stage. All electrical fittings will also be finished at this time. Towards the end of the fifth week, all of the doors will be hung, the skirting will be added, and the plaster will be skimmed.

Sixth Week

During this week, all of the remaining unfinished jobs will be completed. If your contractor is going to be doing the decorating, this will also be completed during this stage. The contractors will then remove all of the scaffolding and dispose of any waste.

The timeline above represents the ideal schedule. However, things can change, and there are some external factors that may get in the way and alter the schedule slightly. Each job is different, and it's important to remember that you can't accurately predict exactly how long each job will take.

Can I Build a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion Myself?

If you have experience in building, then there is a good chance that you can complete some parts of the loft conversion yourself. However, it is not recommended that you take on the entire job yourself. It is a huge job with many different elements and will take an extremely long time as a DIY project.

Since a hip to gable loft conversion requires structural changes to the property, it is best to leave it up to the professionals. Also, if you are having electrics, plumbing, and having a staircase fitted, these are all specialist projects that should be left to the professionals.

Some of the jobs that you may be able to take on yourself include clearing the loft space, clearing waste, decorating, laying flooring, plastering, and adding insulation. Doing some of these parts of the job yourself may save you a little bit of money, and so will reduce the overall cost of the job.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

Below is a list of the planning permission and building regulations rules that need to be followed in a hip to gable loft conversion job:

Planning Permission

In most cases, you won't need to get planning permission to complete a loft conversion. Your contractor or architect will be able to confirm this for you. However, if your plans fit into the following, you should be okay:

• No balconies, raised platforms, or verandas are added.
• The total space for the extension doesn't exceed 50m².
• The conversion does not overhang any of the original walls.
• The conversion won't extend anywhere beyond the existing roof slope on the front of the property.
• The maximum height of the roof area is not increased.
• You use similar materials to the existing structure
• Any side-facing windows are not clear glass.

Building Regulations

A new hip to gable loft conversion will need to meet building regulations. These building regulations will be there to make sure the new space is structurally safe and sound.

It will highlight certain things, such as the materials that must be used as well as some parts of the construction. It will also most likely affect the layout too, and you will also need to have doors installed at the top of the staircase.

Your contractor or architect will be able to ensure that all of the work to be completed meets the building regulations rules. Your contractor should also handle the arrangement of any necessary visits or inspections that need to be done during the process of the work.

However, check-in with your contractors to ensure they will follow through on this. Ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring the work is completed in a way that meets building regulations.

Types of Hip to Gable Loft Conversions

There are two types of hip to gable loft conversion – a single hip to gable loft conversion and a double hip to gable loft conversion.

A single hip to gable loft conversion involves turning the end side of the roof into a straight wall. This type of conversion is most common on end of terraced houses as well as semi-detached houses.

Some detached houses will have a hipped roof on both sides of the home. In these cases, a double hip to gable loft conversion is the best option as this allows you to create more space in the new room.

If you want to have a look at more loft conversion options, check out our guide.

Different Hip to Gable Loft Conversion Room Ideas

When it comes to a hip to gable loft conversion, you can use it for so many different things. Basically, if you can think it, you can probably do it.

The best course of action when it comes to deciding what to do with your new loft room, it's a good idea to take a look at the shape and size of the room and see what type of room would best fit in that space. Below is a list of some of the most common rooms that a loft conversion can be used for:

Master Bedroom with Ensuite

A loft can create an excellent space for a master bedroom. It's perfect as it is an entirely reclusive place away from the rest of the house. Lofts usually have a large amount of space, which can create a large bedroom as well and an en suite.

Child's Bedroom

If your loft space is relatively narrow, it would make a great children's room as a child tends to require a smaller bed and less space. Many children also like the idea of having their own space right at the top of the house.

Office

You can make great use of your loft space by turning it into an office tucked away from the rest of the house. Your own space at the top of the house is an excellent option as you'll be less likely to be disrupted up there. This also allows you to create a separate work and living space in your home.

Playroom

If you have children, a loft conversion makes a great space for a playroom. A whole room dedicated to toys and games is a real blessing as your family grows. Your children will also love having their own space that is uniquely theirs.

Guest Bedroom

The new loft conversion is a great space for a guest bedroom. It's an easy space to close up if it's not used every day, and it also gives guests their own private space away from the rest of the house when they come to stay.

Home Cinema

A loft conversion has cosy dimensions that can make it perfect for a home cinema space. Having a space upstairs dedicated to watching movies can make it an extra special experience.

Benefits of a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

There are many great benefits to completing a hip to gable loft conversion on your home. Below is a list of some of the main advantages of completing this type of conversion:

Avoid Having to Move Home

If your family is growing and you're outgrowing your current home, then you may be thinking about moving. However, you can create extra space in your current home by converting your loft into a new room. That way, you don't need to worry about the stress of moving.

Add Value to Your Home

The money that you use to complete your loft conversion can be reflected in the overall value of your home when you come to sell it. With this in mind, a loft conversion makes a significant investment.

Add Natural Light to the Home

When you convert your loft into a room, you can add windows to the room and also above the new staircase. This allows you to add a lot of extra natural light into your living space, which can improve the overall aesthetic of your home.

Increase Indoor Space Without Increase Outdoor Space

When you choose to extend your home, you may be reluctant to do so if it means compromising on your garden space. If you choose to have your loft converted instead, you can add all of the extra space you need without having to cut into any of the exterior areas of your home.

Energy Efficient

When you convert your loft, you will have to put in new insulation. This is a requirement under the building regulations. Adding this insulation means that you'll most likely make your home more energy-efficient. You may even notice a decrease in your energy bills.

Hiring Contractors to Build a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion Checklist

There are a few things you will need to consider before hiring someone to do your hip to gable loft conversion for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right engineer for the job:

• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
• How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a fair price for each element of the job.
• Is the contractor experienced in hip to gable loft conversions?
• How many years' worth of experience does the contractor have in hip to gable loft conversions?
• Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
• Does the contractor have all the appropriate equipment needed to carry out a hip to gable loft conversion?
• Will the contractor follow building regulations and arrange relevant inspections and visits as needed?
• Will the contractor take care of waste removal?

FAQs

Sources

https://www.simplyloft.co.uk/hip-to-gable-loft-conversions
https://www.carpentry-tips-and-tricks.com/Loft-conversion-prices.html
https://abbeylofts.net/blog/hip-to-gable-loft-conversions