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.
For a homeowner in Eastleigh, planning a loft conversion tends to begin with two questions: what will it cost, and how disruptive will it be? Our guide range is £33,500–£73,000 including VAT, and a typical job runs to 6–10 weeks on site. Both numbers firm up once we have seen the property, measured up and agreed exactly what is included.
- Guide price
- £33,500–£73,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 6–10 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- SO50 and SO53
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Hampshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Loft conversions prices in Eastleigh
The table below shows guide prices for a loft conversion in Eastleigh. They are based on rates in the South East, which run about 12% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £33,500–£73,000. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Eastleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Rooflight conversion | Rooflights in the existing slope, a new floor, staircase and insulation, where head height already works. | £22,500–£39,000 |
| Dormer conversion | A rear dormer adding headroom and floor space, often with a bedroom and shower room. | £36,000–£67,000 |
| Hip-to-gable or mansard | Larger structural changes to the roof for the maximum usable space. | £56,000–£95,000 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Conversion type: rooflight, dormer, hip-to-gable or mansard
- Floor area, existing head height and roof structure
- 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
- Fire doors, mains-linked smoke alarms and a protected escape route
- Electrics, heating and plumbing by qualified trades, with certificates
Homes in Hampshire
Southampton and Portsmouth have dense Victorian terraces, with plenty of post-war rebuilding after wartime bombing. Winchester keeps Georgian and medieval streets, Basingstoke expanded rapidly with 1960s and 1970s estates, and New Forest villages feature cob, thatch and brick. Brick and flint is common on the chalk downs, and new estates ring most towns.
Terraces suit loft rooms and side-return extensions; post-war and expanded-town homes often need window, roofline and cladding renewal. Cottages in the Forest may call for lime repairs and planning-sensitive windows.
These patterns matter for a loft conversion: older walls, roofs and floors in Eastleigh can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Planning and building rules in Eastleigh
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Eastleigh comes under England, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
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.
How does the job run?
We look at the job
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for a loft conversion, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Price and scope agreed
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Getting ready
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
Finish and handover
Our trades complete a loft conversion while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
Why homeowners choose us
Frequently asked questions
Where will the new staircase go?
The new staircase usually sits above the existing stairs, rising from the landing so it uses space that is already circulation. Sometimes it needs to come from a small bedroom or box room, which reduces that room's size. Building regulations set rules on headroom, step size and handrails, with some flexibility for lofts. We look at options at the survey and show you how each affects the floor below.
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.
What fire safety measures does a loft conversion need?
A loft conversion needs a safe way out in a fire, because the new room is high above the ground. This usually means a protected stair route down to an exit, with fire doors onto the stairway, mains-linked smoke alarms on each floor and sometimes an escape window. The exact approach depends on your house layout. Building control checks these measures before signing off the work.
Can you combine a loft conversion with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a loft conversion alongside other work on your Eastleigh home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Nearby towns
We cover every part of Eastleigh, including SO50 and SO53, and nearby Southampton, Winchester and Totton. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.