A loft conversion turns unused roof space into a habitable room such as a bedroom, bathroom or office, with a proper staircase, insulation, fire protection and natural light from rooflights or a dormer.
Our guide for a loft conversion in the South West comes to £30,500–£66,000 with VAT added, and that range applies across Devon, including Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton and Torquay. Your own price depends on the size of the job, the specification and how easy it is to work on the site. We survey for free, check any consents needed under the rules in England, and then put the price in writing.
- Guide price
- £30,500–£66,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 6–10 weeks on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 11
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Loft conversions prices in Devon
The costs listed here are typical for a loft conversion around Devon and include VAT. They reflect labour and material costs in the South West, about 2% above the national guide, giving a range of £30,500–£66,000. Exact pricing depends on your home, so we only fix it once a free site survey is done.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Devon |
|---|---|---|
| Rooflight conversion | Rooflights in the existing slope, a new floor, staircase and insulation, where head height already works. | £20,500–£35,500 |
| Dormer conversion | A rear dormer adding headroom and floor space, often with a bedroom and shower room. | £32,500–£61,000 |
| Hip-to-gable or mansard | Larger structural changes to the roof for the maximum usable space. | £51,000–£87,000 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Floor area, existing head height and roof structure
- Steelwork and any strengthening of walls below
- Adding a shower room or en-suite in the roof
- Staircase layout, fire doors and the level of finishes
Scope of the work
- Structural calculations and steel beams where needed
- New floor joists strong enough for a habitable room
- Dormer, hip-to-gable or rooflight structure as agreed
- Staircase designed to fit your landing and meet regulations
- Electrics, heating and plumbing by qualified trades, with certificates
- Plastering, internal doors and building control sign-off
Homes in Devon
Devon is known for cob and thatch cottages, especially in mid and east Devon, alongside granite on Dartmoor and red sandstone around Exeter. Exeter and Plymouth have Georgian and Victorian terraces, Plymouth's centre was largely rebuilt after the war, and seaside towns such as Torquay and Exmouth have rendered villas and newer estates.
Cob and stone homes need breathable lime plaster and render rather than cement. Victorian terraces suit loft rooms and window replacement, while post-war and newer homes often take extensions, rendering and roofline renewal.
Mild but wet, with strong coastal winds; exposed elevations need render and pointing specified for driving rain, and cob walls must be kept dry at the base.
Planning and building rules in Devon
Devon is in England, so the planning and building rules set out below are the ones that apply. We confirm the details with the council before we quote.
In England, many loft conversions are permitted development: up to 40 m³ of extra roof space on a terraced house and 50 m³ on a semi-detached or detached house, no dormer on the front roof slope facing a road, nothing higher than the existing roof, and similar-looking materials. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats need planning permission.
Building Regulations approval is always needed for a loft conversion: floor strength, a proper staircase, insulation, fire-protected escape route and smoke alarms. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 usually applies on attached houses.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
From survey to handover
Survey and measure
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a loft conversion properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Your fixed price
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
Plan and prepare
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for a loft conversion are in place before the first day on site.
On site to finish
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
How we work
Questions about a loft conversion in Devon
Is my loft suitable for conversion?
A loft is usually suitable for conversion if there is enough head height, a roof structure that can be adapted and space for a staircase. A common rule of thumb is at least 2.2m from the top of the ceiling joists to the underside of the ridge, though dormers and mansards can create height where it is short. Modern trussed roofs need more structural work. We check all of this at the survey.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
How much does a loft conversion cost?
A typical dormer loft conversion on a 3-bed semi costs £30,500–£66,000. A simple rooflight conversion costs less, while hip-to-gable and mansard conversions cost more because they change the roof structure. As a rough guide, allow around £800–£1,700 per square metre of new floor plus fixed costs for the staircase, steels and fees. Adding a shower room is the most common extra. We confirm a fixed price after surveying your loft.
Can I stay at home during the work?
In most cases, yes. Most people can live at home throughout, and we plan the work to keep disruption down by protecting floors, agreeing working hours and keeping access routes clear. Bigger jobs affecting kitchens, bathrooms or heating may mean a short spell with reduced facilities, and we talk this through with you at the survey.
Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?
Whether a loft conversion needs planning permission depends on its size and design, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you live in. In England, many conversions fall under permitted development if the added volume is within 40m³ for terraced houses or 50m³ for other houses and nothing extends beyond the front roof slope. We check what applies before quoting.
Towns in Devon
Below is our list of Devon towns for a loft conversion. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.