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 Braintree?
In Braintree, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £58,500–£82,500 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 East of England, where labour and materials are typically about 6% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £58,500–£82,500 |
| Higher specification | £82,500–£103,000 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Gable wall construction and finish
- Size of the rear dormer
- Scaffolding to three sides
- Staircase design
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Braintree?
Before anything is built in Braintree, we confirm which approvals apply 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.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
The work we manage on a hip-to-gable loft conversion:
- Roof extension and rear dormer
- Survey and planning check
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- Steel beams and floor joists
- Gable wall built in brick or block and finished to match
- Insulation, electrics, plumbing and plastering
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 Braintree
Many towns in the East of England have estates built since the 1970s, where garage conversions and rear extensions are popular.
If your home is in Braintree or close by in Witham, Chelmsford and Maldon, a free home visit is the first step.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 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 sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about hip-to-gable loft conversions in Braintree
How long does it take?
Typically 7 to 10 weeks on site.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Braintree?
In Braintree, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £58,500–£82,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Can the gable be brick?
Yes. We match the existing finish, whether brick, render or pebbledash.
Do you build hip-to-gable loft conversions in Braintree?
Yes. We build hip-to-gable loft conversions across Braintree, including postcodes CM7 and CM77. Every project starts with a free home visit.
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.