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 Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £53,500–£75,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Prices in Scotland sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Edinburgh reflects that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £53,500–£75,500 |
| Higher specification | £75,500–£94,500 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Size of the rear dormer
- Gable wall construction and finish
- Roof tile matching
- 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 Edinburgh?
The approval route for Edinburgh is set by planning law in Scotland. In Scotland changing a hipped roof to a gable often needs planning permission, because dormer and roof enlargement rights only apply well away from boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.
If the answer is not clear-cut, we can apply for formal confirmation before you commit to the build.
What we handle
The work we manage on a hip-to-gable loft conversion:
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- Drawings and structural calculations
- Gable wall built in brick or block and finished to match
- Building control sign-off
- Survey and planning check
- Roof extension and rear dormer
How long does it take?
Expect 7 to 10 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 weeks.
Building in Edinburgh
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
We cover the whole of Edinburgh.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 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 Edinburgh
Do you build hip-to-gable loft conversions in Edinburgh?
Yes. We build hip-to-gable loft conversions across Edinburgh, including postcodes EH1, EH10, EH12, EH13 and EH14. Every project starts with a free home visit.
Will I need building regulations approval?
Yes. All loft conversions to habitable rooms need building control approval for structure, fire safety, insulation and stairs.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £53,500–£75,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Do I need planning permission for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Edinburgh?
In Scotland changing a hipped roof to a gable often needs planning permission, because dormer and roof enlargement rights only apply well away from boundaries. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
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.