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 Somerset?
In Somerset, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £56,000–£79,500 for a hip-to-gable with rear dormer, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Prices in the South West sit near the national average for this kind of work, and the range for Somerset reflects that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A hip-to-gable with rear dormer | £56,000–£79,500 |
| Higher specification | £79,500–£99,500 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Staircase design
- Roof tile matching
- Size of the rear dormer
- 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 Somerset?
Approvals for a hip-to-gable loft conversion in Somerset follow the rules for 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.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
Handled as part of most hip-to-gable loft conversions:
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- Building control sign-off
- Survey and planning check
- Gable wall built in brick or block and finished to match
- Insulation, electrics, plumbing and plastering
- Steel beams and floor joists
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 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 Somerset
In parts of the South West, protected landscapes and conservation areas shape what can be built, so materials and roof forms are chosen carefully.
Towns we cover in Somerset include Mendip, Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 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 Somerset
How long does a hip-to-gable loft conversion take in Somerset?
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.
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 Somerset?
In Somerset, a hip-to-gable loft conversion typically costs £56,000–£79,500 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.
