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 Shoreham-by-Sea?
In Shoreham-by-Sea, 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 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Roof tile matching
- Size of the rear dormer
- Gable wall construction and finish
- 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 Shoreham-by-Sea?
The approval route for Shoreham-by-Sea 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.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
On a typical hip-to-gable loft conversion we handle:
- Gable wall built in brick or block and finished to match
- Drawings and structural calculations
- Roof extension and rear dormer
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- Building control sign-off
- Steel beams and floor joists
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 Shoreham-by-Sea
Commuter towns across the South East have many 1930s and post-war semis that suit rear extensions and hip-to-gable loft conversions.
We work across Shoreham-by-Sea and neighbouring areas such as Lancing, Portslade and Worthing. Postcodes we cover in Shoreham-by-Sea include BN43.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about hip-to-gable loft conversions in Shoreham-by-Sea
Can the gable be brick?
Yes. We match the existing finish, whether brick, render or pebbledash.
How much does a hip-to-gable loft conversion cost in Shoreham-by-Sea?
In Shoreham-by-Sea, 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.
How long does a hip-to-gable loft conversion take in Shoreham-by-Sea?
Typically 7 to 10 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
Will I need building regulations approval?
Yes. All loft conversions to habitable rooms need building control approval for structure, fire safety, insulation and stairs.
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.