Loft Conversion Specialists in Torquay, Newton Abbot, Totnes & Ashburton

Making the most of your loft

For homeowners across Torquay, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Ashburton and the wider South Hams, a loft conversion is one of the least disruptive ways to gain a proper room without moving house. The roof space is already there. The job is turning it into somewhere you would actually want to sleep, work or send the children to play.

We design and build loft conversions across South Devon, and we manage the whole job from the first survey to the last coat of paint.

The Builders Ltd has been building and renovating homes across South Devon since 1989.

If you would rather talk it through than read, call Dominic on 07732 748040.

Which type of loft conversion suits your house

Not every roof takes every type of conversion, and the right choice usually comes down to your existing roof shape and how much headroom you have. There are three common routes.

A Velux, or rooflight, conversion keeps the existing roofline and fits windows into the slope. It is the least involved and the least expensive, and it suits lofts that already have enough standing height. Nothing changes on the outside of the house beyond the windows, so planning permission is rarely an issue.

A dormer conversion builds outwards from the slope to create a box of full-height space. It is the most popular choice locally because it adds real usable floor area and headroom, and it works on most standard South Devon houses.

A mansard changes the whole shape of the roof to create the most space of the three. It is the biggest job and the biggest cost, and it is more likely to need planning permission, but on the right property it turns a cramped loft into a full storey.

The photos on this page are recent conversions we have completed across South Devon, from first fix through to finished rooms, so you can see the standard of work rather than take our word for it.

If you are not sure which your roof will take, that is exactly what the free survey is for. We will tell you honestly what fits and what does not.

Will my roof take the weight

This is the first thing most people worry about, and it is the right thing to check. A loft floor built to hold the odd cardboard box is not built to hold a bedroom.

Before any conversion goes ahead, the existing structure is assessed and, where needed, we bring in a structural engineer to confirm the roof and floor can safely carry the change.

Many houses can be converted with the correct strengthening, but the structure must be assessed first.

Do you need planning permission

Whether planning permission or other approval is needed depends on the property, its location and the proposed design. Requirements can vary, so they should always be checked before work begins.

At the survey stage, we can discuss which parts of the project may need further professional or council advice. Where required, we can work alongside the relevant professionals and authorities during the project. Final decisions and approval remain with the appropriate planning and building control bodies.