How much does a loft conversion cost in Preston?
We talk about it all the time at Raise the Roof, and that's about the value that a loft conversion can add to your home. A Nationwide survey in 2020 found that a typical loft conversion adds between 20-25% to the value of your home. This is obviously dependent on the specific conversion that you get, including the number of new rooms, the location, the size of additional space and quality of fittings.
Yes, the added value is elusive, but that doesn’t change the fact that the upfront costs that you’ll need to fork out for are substantial and this is the blocker for many people getting a conversion done.
In this guide, we explain everything that you need to consider when planning a loft conversion; from funding options, planning considerations (what are the most expensive types of conversions) and things that can keep the costs down.
Please remember that we are not financial experts, so much of what we suggest around financing has come from more trusted sources that we will share. We are however experts in working with clients to get the best deal for them and planning it around their needs and what they can afford.
What are your funding options?
When considering a loft conversion, there is a sizable investment needed and not many of us have that amount laying around, especially if you have recently moved into the home. There are however many options that would give you access to the funds needed to start your dream loft conversion and we found a great article by Compare the Market that explains them in detail, but here is a summary of your options:
Remortgaging your home
Increasing your existing mortgage
Taking out a second mortgage
Taking out a secured or unsecured loan
Using a 0% or low-interest credit card
Using your savings
Releasing equity in your home.
How much is a loft conversion in Preston?
In Preston and the surrounding areas, typical loft conversion costs broadly align with national averages, but there are some local quirks worth calling out. A basic Velux conversion typically starts at around £25,000 to £30,000 locally, and larger Dormer or hip-to-gable conversions generally sit between £40,000 and £55,000, with the most complex Roof Lift or Mansard projects edging above £60,000 in some cases. These figures reflect variations in access, scaffolding needs especially in terraced streets, and the age of housing stock in parts of the city.
House price movement gives useful context too. The average property in Preston was about £190,000 in late 2025, up around 5.4% year-on-year, which means investment in a loft conversion still tends to compare favourably with local market gains.
While there isn’t an official local authority figure for how many Preston homes have already been converted, industry estimates suggest that in established residential areas the prevalence of loft conversions runs at roughly 10-15% of suitable houses, particularly in Victorian terraces and semis where extra space is most valuable. This is consistent with anecdotal data from local builders who report that a significant proportion of enquiries come from homeowners in suburbs like Fulwood, Ashton-on-Ribble and parts of Ribbleton where planning constraints are less onerous.
Local access and housing type matter here too. Narrow streets or restricted parking can add to scaffolding and logistics costs, while older properties with traditional rafters typically need more structural work than post-war truss roofs. Planning considerations such as conservation areas around Preston city centre can also push lead-in times and fees up slightly compared with unrestricted suburbs.
Let's break down exactly what you’re paying for
A loft conversion isn’t always as big of an undertaking as you might think, compared to some extensions that almost evict you from your home while work is completed. Many of the loft conversions we do have little to no disruption to day-to-day life in your home and that is predominantly down to good planning.
But when our clients are in the early stages of planning or making a final decision on which quote they are going to go with, we get a lot of questions about what their spend is going towards.
To break them down in as simple way as possible, here are the five categories of spend that go into a loft conversion:
Design stage spend
This is the stage before any work is started and ensures that first and foremost, the new loft is structurally sound and safe, but also that it is designed appropriately for what you want the new space for.
Here are the four costs that you will encounter at this stage of the build:
Architectural drawings (typical cost: £1,200 to £2,500)
These drawings show the layout, dimensions and design of your loft conversion. They are used for planning, building control and construction, and help avoid costly changes once work has started.
Structural engineers’ designs (typical cost: £500 to £1,500)
Structural calculations confirm how new floors, beams and load-bearing elements will be supported. This is essential for safety and is a legal requirement for building control approval.
Building control costs (typical cost: £700 to £1,200)
Building control ensures the work meets current building regulations. Fees cover inspections at key stages and final certification once the conversion is complete.
Planning permission or lawful development certificate (typical cost: £200 to £500)
Not every loft conversion needs planning permission, but a lawful development certificate is often recommended, especially if the design is close to permitted development limits. It provides written proof that the work is compliant, which can be helpful when selling your home.
Enabling works to begin
For work to begin, your house needs to be accessible for everyone involved in the project and have the correct facilities. These are the forgotten costs a lot of the time but crucial for work to take place.
Scaffolding (typical cost: £1,000 to £3,000)
Scaffolding provides safe access to the roof and usually stays in place for a large portion of the build. Costs vary based on height, access and how long it is required.
Toilets (typical cost: £150 to £300 per month)
On larger projects, welfare facilities are required for trades on site. This helps keep disruption inside your home to a minimum.
Skips (typical cost: £300 to £600 per skip)
Waste removal is an unavoidable part of the build. Older roofs or structural changes often generate more waste than expected.
Site setup fees (typical cost: £300 to £800)
This covers temporary protections, safety measures, access equipment and general preparation needed before construction begins.
Materials costs
The amount of materials needed for a job can vary drastically depending on the size of the new space, the condition of the existing loft and the finishes that you go for. Here is a breakdown of the typical costs of materials.
Timber (typical cost: £1,500 to £4,000)
Used for new floors, roof strengthening and structural framing.
Flooring materials (typical cost: £500 to £2,000)
This covers the structural floor, with final floor finishes often chosen later.
Insulation materials (typical cost: £800 to £2,000)
Modern insulation is essential for meeting building regulations and keeping the new space comfortable year round.
Glazing and roof windows (typical cost: £800 to £3,000+)
Costs depend on the number of windows and whether Velux or bespoke glazing is used.
Staircase fixtures (typical cost: £1,500 to £3,000)
Staircases must meet strict regulations and are often made to measure.
Electrical fixtures (typical cost: £500 to £1,500)
Includes lighting, sockets, smoke alarms and wiring.
Plumbing fixtures (typical cost: £800 to £3,000)
Only required if adding a bathroom or ensuite.
Plastering materials (typical cost: £800 to £2,000)
Covers walls, ceilings and final preparation for decorating.
Labour costs
Rather than charging by the hour or day, loft conversion labour is typically priced as part of the overall project. This gives homeowners cost certainty and avoids surprises if work takes longer than expected.
Loft conversion specialists (typical total cost: £8,000 to £14,000)
This covers the main build work, including structural alterations, floor installation, roof work and coordination of the project. The cost varies based on size, complexity and duration of the build.
Electrician (typical total cost: £1,000 to £2,500)
Includes all wiring, lighting, sockets, smoke alarms and final certification. Costs increase if you add more lighting points, smart systems or an ensuite.
Plumber (typical total cost: £1,200 to £3,500)
Only required if adding a bathroom or relocating existing pipework. The biggest cost drivers are water pressure upgrades and drainage complexity.
Plasterer (typical total cost: £1,500 to £3,000)
Covers walls, ceilings and any bespoke boxing in. Larger or more complex roof shapes increase labour time.
Decoration and finishing touches
At this stage, this is entirely up to you and how you want the room to look and feel once the build phase is complete. Our customers have uses the space we have created for so many things, from simply adding a new bedroom, all the way to a Gold simulator room (100% true) - so the cost of finishing touches is dependant on you.
On a typical project we tend to see the cost of finishing touches range from around £500 to £3,000+.
How much do the different types of loft conversion cost?
There are four popular styles of loft conversions that we breakdown on our services page, which are Velux (most popular), Dormer, Hip to Gable and Roof Lift. Each of these styles of conversions vary in costs and that is down to a number of reasons:
The amount of work needed to complete the project which impacts labour
The amount of materials needed
Additional planning costs
Here is a rough breakdown of the average costs of each type of conversion:
Velux conversion costs
A Velux loft conversion uses roof windows without altering the roof structure.
Average cost: £25,000 to £35,000
This is usually the most affordable option because it involves fewer structural changes and less external work.
Dormer conversion costs
Dormers extend out from the roof to create more headroom and usable space.
Average cost: £40,000 to £50,000
Costs are higher due to additional structure, materials and labour.
Hip to Gable conversion costs
This extends the sloping side of a roof into a vertical wall.
Average cost: £45,000 to £55,000
Often required for semi-detached homes and involves significant structural work.
Roof Lift conversion costs
The entire roof is raised to maximise space.
Average cost: £55,000 to £70,000+
This is the most expensive option due to complexity, materials and labour.
Factors affecting the cost of a loft conversion buid
Not all homes are equal, and the way your house was built has a big impact on cost, complexity and time on site. Below are the most common factors that influence price, along with why they matter and what to look out for.
Existing structure: traditional roof vs truss roof
Older homes often have traditional cut roofs, which are easier to adapt as there is more open space. Newer homes tend to use trussed roofs, which require additional steelwork to redistribute loads. This adds both material and labour costs, as more structural intervention is needed before the loft can be used.
Key things to consider:
Age of the property
Amount of steel required
Loss of usable space due to additional supports
Size of the roof
Larger roof spaces require more materials, longer labour time and often more complex design work. While more space can mean more value, it also means higher upfront costs.
Key things to consider:
Floor area created
Ceiling heights achievable
Additional rooms or bathrooms planned
Access and crane requirements
If materials cannot be safely carried through the house or scaffolding alone is not sufficient, a crane may be required. This is more common in terraced properties or homes with restricted access.
Key things to consider:
Street access and parking restrictions
Distance from road to property
Local authority permissions
Shape of the roof, including L-shaped roofs
Complex roof shapes require bespoke design and additional structural work. L shaped roofs often need multiple dormers or roof alterations to maximise space.
Key things to consider:
Number of roof planes
Bespoke steelwork
Increased design and build time
Quality of finishes
Higher specification finishes increase material costs and labour time. Bespoke joinery, premium bathrooms and custom storage all add to the final figure.
Key things to consider:
Bathroom specification
Flooring and lighting choices
Built-in storage
Aligning to period features
Period properties often require sympathetic design to match existing features. This can mean specialist materials, custom detailing and additional approvals.
Key things to consider:
Matching brickwork or tiles
Conservation area requirements
Bespoke windows or finishes
Potential hidden costs
There should be no “surprise” costs when planned properly, but here are a few costs that are often missed when comparing cheaper quotes:
Restricted access and material handling
Limited access can increase labour time and require specialist equipment to move materials safely. This often applies to terraced homes or properties without side access.
Planning permission and lawful development certificates
While not always required, these costs are often worth paying to avoid future legal issues when selling the property. Skipping them can save money upfront but cause problems later.
Crane hire
Cranes are sometimes needed for steel beams or large structural elements. Costs include hire, operator fees and traffic management if required.
Additional waste removal
Older properties often generate more waste than expected once work begins. Extra skips or specialist disposal can add to costs.
Structural upgrades discovered during the build
Occasionally issues such as undersized joists or poor previous alterations are uncovered. These must be resolved to meet regulations and ensure safety.