Loft conversions seem like magic. All that cold, dusty space transformed into warmth and cosiness. And – whisper it – adding value to your property.
Now for the reality check. Loft conversions are expensive. And disruptive. But mostly, they’re expensive.
But how expensive? Like most building work, it depends hugely on the property. The only accurate way is to get some quotes. But if you’re after an indicative price, we’ve done pretty unique research to find what people are actually paying.
How much is a loft conversion in the UK?
On average, £61,360. You’ll pay less than that for simple conversions. And more for that if it’s complex, or you’re in London.
£61,360 is very specific. That’s because it comes from real prices paid by real people. We’ve taken 25 samples from people discussing loft conversions on forums, and taken the average.
See the whole list here, and read the real-life accounts by clicking the link:
| URL | Sample Size | Lowest Price (£) | Highest Price (£) | Average Price (£) | Original Publication Date |
| Mumsnet | 6 | 65,000 | 110,000 | 77,500 | 17 March 2024 |
| Mumsnet | 14 | 15,000 | 84,000 | 58,428 | 17 March 2023 |
| PistonHeads UK | 5 | 30,000 | 80,000 | 50,200 | 11 March 2023 |
| Totals | 25 | 15,000 | 110,000 | 61,360 |
What affects loft conversion cost?
There are three main factors:
- Size and type of loft conversion
- Location
- Cost of materials
If you want a simple dormer conversion, it might be a simple job. But for L-shaped conversions, or hip-to-gable conversions, you might end up paying more. The majority of the cost of a loft conversion is labour: if your job takes longer, it will cost more.
Location is the other major factor. London seems to have a premium of £20k+. That’s because building work is more expensive in London, but also because… well, trades can just charge more.
Each square foot is more valuable in London, therefore it often makes sense to do a loft conversion even at inflated prices – it will come out in the house value.
Cost of materials is the final factor. You may be aware that prices have rocketed recently. In fact, in my calculations I had to exclude any prices from before Covid – they’re roughly half what you can get now. There’s not a lot you can do about that one.
