Loft conversion contractor introductions in London.
A loft conversion turns unused roof space into a bedroom, bathroom or study, and it is one of the few projects where most of the work happens above the people still living in the house. Epelle & Co. introduces independent loft specialists and builders suited to the type of conversion and house you have.
We do not design or build lofts. You agree the scope, price and contract with the firm you choose.
Types of loft conversion
Each type involves different structural work, scaffolding, roofing and planning considerations, so the right contractor for one may not be the right one for another.
Rear dormer
A box-shaped addition to the rear roof slope that creates full-height space across most of the floor.
Hip-to-gable
On houses with a sloping side roof, the hip is built up into a vertical gable wall, often combined with a rear dormer.
Mansard and rooflight
A steeper rebuilt roof slope, or a lighter-touch conversion using rooflights within the existing roof.
Loft specialists or general builders
Dedicated loft firms tend to work to a repeatable method: structural steels, floor joists, the dormer frame, a new staircase and roof coverings, often with their own designers producing the drawings. That can suit straightforward conversions on common house types.
Where the loft is part of a wider refurbishment, the roof is unusual, or the finish is to an architect's specification, a general builder with roof experience may be the better fit. We consider which route suits the brief before introducing anyone.
What to prepare
- Photographs of the existing loft and roof, and the head height at the highest point if known
- Any drawings or a note of who will produce them
- Whether planning permission or a lawful development certificate is expected
- Where the new staircase might go and what it will take from the floor below
- The use you want for the room, including any bathroom
- A working budget range and preferred timing
Common pitfalls
- Underestimating the effect of the new staircase on the existing landing and bedrooms
- Accepting a package price without understanding what finishing work is included
- Leaving fire-safety and escape arrangements until late in the design
- Not agreeing how the roof will be protected from weather while it is open
- Overlooking the shared party wall on terraced and semi-detached houses
How we approach a loft enquiry
We look first at the house type and the kind of conversion you want, because these shape the choice of firm more than anything else. We then identify contractors whose recent lofts are on similar houses and to a similar finish, confirm their interest and availability, and introduce them with your agreement.
From there you meet the firms, review their proposals and appoint directly. We do not oversee the work or act as a point of contact during the build.
Living with a loft conversion in progress
Much of the early work happens from scaffolding outside, with the roof opened and the dormer framed before anyone needs to come inside. Disruption grows when the new staircase is cut through the landing below, which is usually the moment the house feels most like a building site.
Ask each firm how it sequences that stage, how it seals the work area from bedrooms below, and how it deals with dust, noise and access for the family. Good firms will have a clear answer and will tell you when you might prefer to be away for a few days.
Ask too how the firm handles weather. An open roof is the most exposed point in the project, and the plan for protecting it should be explained before work begins, not improvised on the day of a forecast storm.
Finishing the room
Some loft packages end at plastered walls; others include joinery, bathroom fittings and decoration. Built-in storage under the eaves often makes the difference between a usable room and an awkward one, so consider whether a joiner should be involved early. Where an interior designer is working on the rest of the house, bring them in before the loft layout is fixed.
- 1. Review
We read your brief and ask what we need to understand it.
- 2. Qualify
We check budget, decision-maker and timing are in place.
- 3. Source
We identify a small number of potentially suitable firms.
- 4. Introduce
With both sides' agreement, we make a direct introduction.
Frequently asked questions
- Is my loft suitable for conversion?
- A loft specialist, architect or surveyor can assess this from a visit. We can introduce one, but we do not give that judgement ourselves.
- Do loft firms provide their own drawings?
- Many do. Others build from an architect's drawings. We ask which you prefer when reviewing the brief.
- Can a loft be combined with a rear extension?
- Often, yes. In that case a general builder able to run both may suit better than a loft-only firm.
- Will you check a loft company's insurance?
- We ask what cover a firm states it holds. Confirming it, and that it suits your project, remains part of your own checks.
Next step
Enquiries are free and reviewed individually. Epelle & Co. makes introductions only. It does not design, build, project-manage or guarantee work; appointed parties contract directly with the client. See our Privacy Notice.