Transform Your Home with a Stunning Loft Conversion in Cambridge
Unlock the full potential of your home by adding space, value, and style with a professionally designed loft conversion in Cambridge. Whether you dream of a luxurious master suite, a cosy guest room, or a functional home office, we can bring your vision to life. With expertise in both Permitted Development and full planning applications, we cater to every type of property and location, including homes in and around Cambridge.
As a carpentry-focused building firm, we love loft conversions. We have extensive experience of loft conversions in Cambridge, ranging from small 15m² projects to large 100m² transformations.
Why Choose SturdyBuild for Loft Conversions in Cambridge?
Experienced Team: Decades of expertise in loft conversions and planning regulations. See our portfolio for recent projects.
End-to-End Service: From initial consultation to final handover, we handle everything.
Transparent Pricing: No hidden costs, just clear, honest quotes.
Customer Satisfaction: Many happy clients across Cambridge and beyond, with glowing testimonials.
Why Choose a Loft Conversion in Cambridge?
Maximise Space: Turn unused attic space into a functional, beautiful living area.
Increase Property Value: A loft conversion can boost your property’s value by up to 20%.
Tailored Design: Create a space that perfectly suits your needs and lifestyle.
Cost-Effective Solution: Save on the cost and hassle of moving by expanding your current home.
Loft Conversions and Planning Permission in Cambridge
Types of Loft Conversions
In Cambridge, we find that certain types of loft conversions are particularly popular and practical:
Hip-to-Gable with a Box Dormer: This is the most common style in Cambridge, ideal for properties with a hipped roof. It involves extending the hipped roof to create a vertical gable wall, combined with a dormer for maximum usable space.
Dormer Loft Conversion: Suitable for properties without a hipped roof, this type of conversion adds a dormer window to the roof slope, increasing headroom and usable floor area.
Velux Loft Conversion: In some situations, a "Velux" loft conversion (without a dormer window) can be a viable option. While it is less intrusive and more cost-effective, it provides less usable floor space compared to other types.
Our team will help you decide on the best type of loft conversion for your home, balancing practicality, budget, and design.
Permitted Development: Simplified Process
For homes located outside Cambridge Cambridge conservation areas, many loft conversions in Cambridge fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning you may not need to apply for full planning permission. With Permitted Development, you can:
Add up to 40 cubic metres of space (terraced houses) or 50 cubic metres (detached and semi-detached homes). In almost all cases, this is enough for a hip-to-dormer conversion with a box gable.
Incorporate dormer windows or roof extensions (subject to specific height and design criteria).
Avoid significant delays, as no formal planning application is required.
Key Requirements for Permitted Development:
The extension does not extend beyond the existing roof slope on the side facing the road.
The height of the new structure does not exceed the existing roof’s highest point.
Materials used are similar in appearance to the existing property.
Roof extensions or dormers do not include balconies, verandas, or terraces.
Certificate of Lawful Development: For added peace of mind and to ensure no issues arise when selling your property, we recommend applying for a Certificate of Lawful Development. This official document confirms that your loft conversion complies with Permitted Development regulations, providing you with invaluable reassurance and documentation.
Our team in Cambridge will handle the detailed compliance checks and application process to ensure your loft conversion meets all the requirements.
Full Planning Permission: Tailored for Conservation Areas
If your property is located in a conservation area, stricter regulations apply to preserve the character of your neighbourhood. This means full planning permission is typically required. While the process may involve additional steps, it allows greater flexibility to create a bespoke design that blends beautifully with the surroundings.
Our Full Planning Permission Service Includes:
Detailed architectural drawings that meet planning authority standards.
Collaboration with conservation officers to ensure designs align with local guidelines.
Guidance through the application process to secure approval as quickly as possible.
We have extensive experience working with conservation area properties in Cambridge and will ensure your loft conversion enhances both your home and its surroundings.
We’ve also gained extensive experience in planning applications with Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, and South Cambridgeshire District Council, ensuring a smooth process tailored to local requirements.
We also have experience and a strong track record of success in applying for full planning permission for ridge-raises (typically only for detached houses) and front dormer windows. These require detailed applications, and our expertise ensures the best chance of approval with the planners.
Building Control: Building Notice vs Full Plans Submission
When it comes to Building Control approval, you can choose between two routes:
Building Notice:
Ideal for straightforward projects where detailed plans are not required upfront.
Work can begin more quickly as there’s no need for prior approval of detailed drawings.
Relies heavily on on-site inspections to ensure compliance with regulations.
Full Plans Submission:
Recommended for more complex projects or when greater assurance is needed before starting work.
Requires detailed architectural and structural plans to be submitted for approval.
Provides a clearer understanding of compliance requirements, reducing the risk of delays or modifications during the build.
Our team will guide you through the best option for your loft conversion, ensuring all Building Control requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
Our Process: From Concept to Completion
We can project manage the whole process with our own build team and arrange sub-contractors for plumbing, electrical work, and any other services required.
Clients can have a consultation when they purchase a design package: Our expert team will create a design tailored to your needs and guide you through the planning process.
Design & Planning: Our expert team will create a design tailored to your needs and guide you through the planning process.
Construction: Skilled professionals will bring your design to life, using high-quality materials and efficient construction techniques.
Completion & Handover: Your new loft space will be ready to enjoy, complete with all necessary certificates and approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you start / when are you available?
We can start the design process straight away. We’d recommend allowing 3 months for the design process (Planning and Building Control). Our build team's next availability is shown on our home page.
How long does a loft conversion take?
It varies on project size, but typically around 12 weeks for a hip-to-gable loft conversion.
Can I live in the house during the loft conversion?
Yes, most clients do. We almost always use a temporary roof scaffold (tin roof) during the work to protect your home. For most of the project, access is from the scaffold until it’s time to install the loft stairs.
What is the minimum height required for a loft conversion?
Building Control requires a minimum height of 2 metres, although we recommend 2.1 metres as a more practical minimum. This ensures a comfortable finished space.
How do I calculate if my loft has enough height?
As a rule of thumb, the finished floor-to-ceiling height is typically 30cm less than the current ceiling-to-ridge height. This accounts for insulation, flooring, and plasterboard.
Will my loft conversion require planning permission?
Most loft conversions outside conservation areas fall under Permitted Development, so planning permission isn’t required. However, properties in conservation areas usually need full planning permission. Our team will guide you through the process based on your location.
What type of loft conversion is best for my home?
The choice depends on your property and goals. Hip-to-gable with a box dormer is popular in Cambridge, while dormer conversions suit properties without a hipped roof. A Velux conversion is more cost-effective but offers less usable floor area.
What is your service area?
We provide loft conversions in Cambridge and within a 15-mile radius of the city, covering all surrounding villages. These include:
Balsham
Bar Hill
Barton
Bottisham
Burwell
Caldecote
Cambourne
Comberton
Cottenham
Coton
Dry Drayton
Duxford
Elsworth
Eltisley
Fen Ditton
Fulbourn
Gamlingay
Girton
Grantchester
Great Shelford
Hardwick
Harston
Haslingfield
Hauxton
Histon
Horningsea
Impington
Landbeach
Linton
Little Shelford
Longstanton
Melbourn
Meldreth
Milton
Oakington
Orwell
Papworth Everard
Sawston
Swavesey
Swaffham Bulbeck
Swaffham Prior
Toft
Trumpington
Waterbeach
Whittlesford
Willingham
Start Your Loft Conversion Journey in Cambridge Today!
Purchase a survey package from our shop below to kickstart your loft conversion project. Alternatively, feel free to call us to discuss your ideas and requirements.
