If you live in South East or South West London and have an attic, you could benefit from a loft conversion to expand the space in your home and potentially gain up to 20% resale value. In this article, we will tell you how to convert your free or underused attic space into a magnificent loft conversion including costs, the types of loft conversions available and how to get planning permission.
Why are loft conversions particularly interesting in South East and South West London?
Loft conversions are undoubtedly a good idea for your home regardless of where you live. However, they may be a particularly good idea if you live in South East or South West London.
The large number of end-terraced, semi-detached and detached houses are ideal for loft conversions due to their framework’s adaptability.
South London is one of the most populated regions within the UK, with over 1.6 million inhabitants. It is however one of the least densely populated regions in the Greater London area, with a little over 4,000 people per square kilometre, compared to a 12,000 equivalent in Central London.
Put together with the large amount of green spaces in the area, South London is a privileged area for large family homes or flats for young workers.
Why opt for a loft conversion?
Increase your living space
Are you one room short in your house because of a new arrival in the family? Do you need an extra room for your friends and family when they are visiting? Are you working from home and in need of a dedicated study space in your home? Do you need more living space in a small town house?
If so, a loft conversion is what you need. There is no easier way of cost-efficiently expanding your home.
Increase the value of your home by up to 20%
Not only will a loft conversion expand your living space, it can also make your home’s resale value rise by up to 20%, according to a recent study by The Guardian. You can even calculate your potential gains thanks to Resi’s value calculator here.
Improve your home’s insulation
Converting your loft into a living space will also improve your home’s insulation! Not only will your house get easier to heat, but you’ll also make considerable gains on your bills by preventing dissipated heat!
What kind of loft conversions are best suited to South East and South West London?
There are many kinds of possible loft conversions, but listed here are the most suited ones for South East and South West London houses.
Mansard loft conversions
Mansard loft conversions are among the most suited to South East and South West London homes because they work particularly well for semi-detached and detached homes. Lifting up one half of the home’s roof will add an extra floor to your home with more underhead space than your current attic. This extra room can then be turned into whatever you like: a master bedroom, a game room, or a TV room!
Hip-to-gable loft conversions
Similarly, hip-to-gable loft conversions are particularly suited for South East and South West London homes because of the large number of end-terraced and detached homes. Lifting up one of the roof’s “hips” by building a vertical wall on the existing gable allows for considerable underhead space gains in an ex-attic.
Dormer loft conversions
More popular than the first two, but also less specific to your home’s architecture, dormer loft conversions add a dormer to your roof. This is done by building a vertical wall on one end and a flat roof to expand your home’s attic space. Windows built into the dormer will allow for extra natural light and make the converted loft an enjoyable space to be in!
Velux or roof window loft conversions
This last kind is without a doubt the simplest and easiest type of loft conversion you can get. Adding a velux or roof window into your attic will allow for considerable amounts of natural light to enter the new loft. No restructuration of the roof is needed because the velux fits into the roof's existing structure, so this is undoubtedly the cheapest conversion type you can choose!
How much does a loft conversion cost in South East and South West London?
Pricing a loft conversion in South East and South West London greatly depends upon your home’s specifics and the type of loft conversion that you want.
Remember, you will always be at the heart of the decision-making process. However, you can expect the renovation work to cost you between £55,000 and £80,000. Pricing is of course subject to evaluation, but you can already make an estimation on Resi’s cost calculator here.
Check out our dedicated article on loft conversion pricings here.
How do I get planning permission for my loft conversion project in South East or South West London?
What is planning permission?
In most cases, ‘Planning Permission’ or ‘Developmental Approval’ is necessary for loft conversion work. Some renovations will fall under your permitted development rights while others will require a full planning application. Most but not all loft conversions can be covered under permitted development.
How can I find my Local Planning Authority (LPA)?
Each London borough has its own LPA, so head to your local borough’s website or use our search tool to find your local authority. You can also go to the Planning Portal’s website to view specific recommendations and regulations for loft conversions across the UK.
What type of planning permission do I need?
Conveniently enough, velux loft conversions and dormer loft conversions usually fall under your permitted development rights. On the other hand, Mansard loft conversions and hip-to-gable loft conversions require a full planning application because of the scale of work entailed including the total restructuring of the roof.
Take our Permitted Development quiz to find out whether you need to submit a planning application for your project
How much does a planning permission application cost and how long does it take?
There is a standard fee of £238 per household for a planning application. Permitted development orders include a fee of £131, although the restrictions are different.
The process generally takes from 8 to 10 weeks. Once past the ‘validation stage’ where the Council reviews documentation, your permission is granted and can be found on the Council’s website.
How can I find a loft conversion specialist in South East and South West London?
A good place to start looking for a loft conversion specialist in South East and South West London is to have a look at marketplaces such as Bark or Houzz. You’ll find the most competitive companies in your area with useful ratings.
Resi: your go-to loft conversion specialist
If you’re interested in a loft conversion, have a look at what services Resi can offer. As the UK’s largest residential architect, Resi is one of the most experienced loft conversion specialists in the London area, particularly in South London.
With over a thousand successful loft conversions undertaken across the UK, Resi offers expert building solutions recommended by the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard and Architecht’s Registration Board.
Dormer loft conversion in South London: an idea
This loft conversion authorised by the Lambeth Planning Authority and conducted by Resi is a representative example of what can be done in South London. With a budget of £80,000, this home was transformed by enlarging the existing side dormer to the home’s roof to add a study space upstairs.
Now you know everything there is to know about the advantages of converting your South London home’s unused attic into a beautiful new room (or rooms!).
