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 the West Midlands?
In the West Midlands, 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). Building costs in the West Midlands are close to the UK average, so the figures for the West Midlands are close to our national guide. 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 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Staircase design
- Bathroom and plumbing
- Roof tile matching
- Size of the rear dormer
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 the West Midlands?
Before anything is built in the West Midlands, 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.
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:
- Building control sign-off
- Survey and planning check
- Insulation, electrics, plumbing and plastering
- Gable wall built in brick or block and finished to match
- Staircase and fire-safe escape route
- 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 the West Midlands
The West Midlands has large numbers of 1930s semis and Victorian terraces, which suit rear extensions, side extensions and dormer loft conversions.
Towns we cover in the West Midlands include Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Solihull.
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
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 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 the West Midlands
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 the West Midlands?
In the West Midlands, 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 you build hip-to-gable loft conversions in the West Midlands?
Yes. We build hip-to-gable loft conversions across the West Midlands, including postcodes B1, B10, B11, B12 and B13. Every project starts with a free home visit.
How long does it take?
Typically 7 to 10 weeks on site.
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.