What is a hip-to-gable loft conversion?
A hip-to-gable loft conversion replaces the sloping side (the hip) of a semi-detached or detached roof with a vertical gable wall. This extends the ridge and creates enough space for a staircase and a full-size room, usually combined with a rear dormer.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Berkshire?
In Berkshire, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £61,500–£87,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the South East, where labour and materials are typically about 12% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £61,500–£87,500 |
| Higher specification | £87,500–£109,500 |
What moves the price most:
- Scaffolding to three sides
- Bathroom and plumbing
- Roof tile matching
- Staircase design
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Berkshire?
The approval route for Berkshire is set by planning law in England. In England a hip-to-gable conversion is often permitted development within the 50 cubic metre roof volume limit for semi-detached and detached houses, provided the gable does not face a road and the house is not in a conservation area.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
The work we manage on a hip-to-gable loft conversion:
- Roof extension and rear dormer
- Survey and planning check
- Steel beams and floor joists
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- Gable wall built in brick or block and finished to match
- Drawings and structural calculations
How long does it take?
Allow 7 to 10 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 weeks.
Building in Berkshire
The South East has a broad mix of housing, from Victorian terraces in the towns to post-war semis and newer estates, so extension types vary street by street.
Towns we cover in Berkshire include Reading, Slough, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Wokingham and Newbury.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about hip-to-gable loft conversions in Berkshire
How long does it take?
Typically 7 to 10 weeks on site.
Is a hip-to-gable better than a dormer?
On a hipped roof, a dormer alone often leaves too little space for stairs. Combining hip-to-gable with a rear dormer gives the most room.
Will it look strange next to my neighbour?
On a pair of semis the roofs will no longer match unless your neighbour does the same. Many streets already have several converted roofs.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Berkshire?
In Berkshire, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £61,500–£87,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do you build hip-to-gable loft conversions in Berkshire?
Yes. We build hip-to-gable loft conversions across Berkshire, including postcodes GU47, OX12, OX8, RG1 and RG10. Every project starts with a free home visit.