Costs · Updated July 2026

How Much Does a Velux Loft Conversion Cost in 2026? (UK)

A Velux loft conversion — also called a rooflight conversion — in 2026 UK costs £22,000–£38,000 fully finished. It's the cheapest loft conversion type because the existing roof shape stays unchanged: no dormer, no mansard, no major roof structure work. The cost driver is floor area, staircase route, insulation upgrade and the number of Velux windows. A simple 18m² Velux loft on a 1960s semi sits at £22,000. A 32m² Velux master bedroom-plus-ensuite in a Victorian terrace pushes £38,000+. This guide gives the 2026 cost ladder, the 6 line items every fair quote should show, and the PD eligibility checklist.

£22k–£38k typical Cost ladder by m² PD-friendly checklist
60 seconds · No spam · No obligation
Local ✅ UK Loft Conversion Specialists
💬 Free, no-obligation quotes
You decide who to hire
🆓 Always Free for Homeowners
Velux loft conversion costs (2026)Typical installed prices by option — 2026 — Source: BestBuilders.co.uk · typical UK prices 2026 · excludes VAT & access variances Velux loft conversion costs (2026) Typical installed prices by option — 2026 £0 £4k £8k £11k £15k Ensuite / shower room full shower-room + macerator £6.5k–£12k Velux windows (2-4) supply & fit £2k–£4.5k Insulation upgrade PIR to U-value 0.18 £2.2k–£3.8k Staircase (straight run) over existing stairs £900–£1.8k Building control fees regs sign-off £700–£1.2k Structural engineer steel beams & calcs £600–£900 Source: BestBuilders.co.uk · typical UK prices 2026 · excludes VAT & access variances BestBuilders.co.uk
⊞ Embed this infographic on your site — free

Copy this code — it links back to us:

The 6 Things That Drive Velux Loft Conversion Cost

1. Usable floor area

Headroom over 1.5m drives usable area. 1960s trussed roofs lose 40–60% to truss replacement. Cut-rafter Victorian roofs give 80%+ usable area at far less cost.

2. Staircase route

Easy: straight run over the existing stairs (£900–£1,800). Hard: stealing space from a landing or bedroom (£2,400–£4,200). Spiral or alternating tread: £3,000–£5,500.

3. Number & size of Velux

Standard sizing: 78×118cm at £550–£950 supply & fit. Large 78×140cm runs £750–£1,200. Most Velux conversions use 2–4 windows; budget £2,000–£4,500.

4. Insulation upgrade

Building Reg L1 sets minimum U-value 0.18 on roof slopes. PIR between & under rafters adds £2,200–£3,800 — but cuts heating bills 10–14%.

5. Bathroom or ensuite

Adding an ensuite is the biggest single cost step: £6,500–£12,000 for a full shower-room with macerator or saniflo. Halves your bathroom queue, sells the conversion.

6. Building Regs & structural

Structural engineer £600–£900 for steel beams & calcs. Building control fees £700–£1,200. Fire-rated doors and protected stair are mandatory.

Common Questions

Yes. No dormer or roof structure change keeps it 25–40% cheaper than a dormer conversion. Trade-off: less standing headroom across the floor.
Usually no — Velux loft conversions are typically permitted development, since they don't change roof shape. Conservation areas and Article 4 zones may still require full planning.
£35,000–£60,000 value uplift in most UK areas, so the £22k–£38k spend pays back roughly 1.5x at sale — better than most extensions per £ spent.
Need 2.2m+ ridge height for a useful Velux loft. Below 2.0m, dormer is the only practical option. Quick check: stand at ridge with hard hat — if it touches, no go.
5–8 weeks on site for a typical 22m² conversion. 2 weeks longer if adding an ensuite. Add 6–10 weeks pre-construction for design and Building Regs.
Only if it has Building Regs sign-off as habitable space — fire-rated escape, protected stair, head clearance, glazing area, insulation. Otherwise it's a "loft room", which knocks £15k+ off resale.

Related Guides

More guides in Costs.

Mansard Loft Cost UK 2026

Full-width mansard conversion pricing.

Read Guide →

Reduce Loft Conversion Cost

12 levers that cut £4k–£12k from a loft job.

Read Guide →

Garage vs Loft

Which conversion adds more value in 2026?

Read Guide →

Get 3 Free Velux Loft Quotes

Tell us your postcode. We'll match you with up to 3 vetted loft conversion specialists in 24 hours — free, no obligation.

Velux / rooflight — guides and detail

The detail behind the number: what changes the price, the planning position, and how to check a quote before you accept it.

Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team on 25 July 2026 · Next scheduled review: October 2026 · See our editorial standards.
💬 Not sure about something? Ask a building expert
Planning permission, costs, building regs, choosing a trade — free answers from our editorial team, published for other homeowners too.
Get an expert answer →