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 Merseyside?
In Merseyside, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £51,500–£73,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). The guide for Merseyside reflects typical costs in the North West, roughly 6% below the UK-wide figure. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £51,500–£73,500 |
| Higher specification | £73,500–£92,000 |
What moves the price most:
- Size of the rear dormer
- Scaffolding to three sides
- Gable wall construction and finish
- Bathroom and plumbing
For a figure based on your own measurements, try the guide price tool, then book a free home visit for a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Merseyside?
Before anything is built in Merseyside, 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.
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.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Survey and planning check
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- Roof extension and rear dormer
- Building control sign-off
- Drawings and structural calculations
- Steel beams and floor joists
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 7 to 10 weeks on site. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the approval route.
Building in Merseyside
Terraced streets across the North West often suit rear dormers and single-storey kitchen extensions.
Towns we cover in Merseyside include Liverpool, Birkenhead, St Helens, Southport, Wallasey and Bootle.
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 sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about hip-to-gable loft conversions in Merseyside
Will I need building regulations approval?
Yes. All loft conversions to habitable rooms need building control approval for structure, fire safety, insulation and stairs.
Can the gable be brick?
Yes. We match the existing finish, whether brick, render or pebbledash.
Is a hip-to-gable conversion permitted development?
Often yes in England, within the 50 cubic metre roof volume limit for semi-detached and detached houses. It is not permitted development in conservation areas or where rights have been removed.
How long does a hip-to-gable loft conversion take in Merseyside?
Typically 7 to 10 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Merseyside?
In Merseyside, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £51,500–£73,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
