Loft Conversion
Look up. The most valuable, under-utilised space in your London home is likely right above your head. At Reltic BIM, we are Design & Build specialists who transform dusty, forgotten attics into stunning, light-filled living areas.
We blend intelligent architectural design with a seamless construction process, all powered by advanced BIM technology. This allows you to step into and perfect your new top-floor sanctuary in virtual reality before we begin the build. Let’s turn your unused attic into your favourite room in the house.
Investment & Lifestyle
Unlock Your Home's Hidden Asset: The Value of a Loft Conversion
Adding space in London is the ultimate luxury. A loft conversion is the most intelligent way to achieve it, providing a wealth of benefits without the downsides of moving or extending.
A loft conversion is a proven strategy for adding a valuable new bedroom and bathroom, often increasing your property's value by up to 20%. It's a direct investment in your home's equity.
Whether you dream of a serene master suite with an en-suite, a productive home office away from family life, a secure playroom for the children, or a stylish den with city views, the loft offers unparalleled flexibility.
Unlike a ground-floor extension, a loft conversion doesn't sacrifice any of your precious garden or patio space. You increase your home's internal footprint while preserving your vital connection to the outdoors.
By its very nature, a loft conversion introduces new sources of light high up in the property, brightening not only the new room but also the stairwell and landing below. It often provides the best views in the entire house.
Why Choose Reltic BIM?
A Smarter Approach to Loft Conversions
Transforming an unused attic into a valuable living space requires specialist skill. As London’s leading Design & Build loft conversion experts, Reltic BIM delivers exceptional results through a process grounded in precision and transparency, ensuring your project is a seamless and intelligent investment.
Our process begins where traditional methods fall short. We utilise advanced Building Information Modelling (BIM) to create a detailed, data-rich 3D model of your project. This „digital twin” allows us to resolve complex structural challenges and ensure every detail complies with UK building regulations and local council planning policy before any work begins on-site.
You will have a single, dedicated point of contact throughout your project, ensuring clear communication and seamless progress. Our commitment to a turnkey service means we provide a fixed-price contract and a clear project timeline. With 24/7 access to your project’s progress via our client portal, you have complete oversight and total peace of mind.
The benefits of our BIM-led approach include:
- Experience your new loft space in immersive 3D.
- Eliminate expensive on-site errors before construction starts.
- Maximise your budget and minimise material waste.
- A guaranteed fixed price and a clear project timeline.
A Guide to conversions
Mastering the Roofline: A Guide to London Loft Conversion Types
The shape of your roof dictates the potential of your loft. As seasoned experts, we can quickly identify the optimal solution for your property, whether it’s a classic Victorian terrace or a modern detached house.
Dormer Conversion
A box-like structure projecting from the roof slope, this is the most popular way to add usable space and natural light to your home.
Perfect for: Creating rooms with full headroom, like a bright master bedroom and en-suite bathroom.
Expert Insight: Its versatile design often falls under Permitted Development rights, which can significantly simplify the entire planning process for many London homeowners.
Hip-to-Gable Conversion
Designed for homes with a hipped roof, we replace the sloping side with a vertical gable wall to maximise the internal volume of the loft.
Perfect for: Creating a large, open-plan top floor, especially when combined with a rear dormer.
Expert Insight: This is a significant structural change that requires Planning Permission, but the final reward is a vast increase in usable, functional living space.
Mansard Conversion
This conversion alters the entire roof profile, creating a new storey with a steep rear wall. It provides the maximum possible internal space.
Perfect for: Homes in conservation areas where a sympathetic design is essential.
Expert Insight: A Mansard always requires Planning Permission due to the scale of work, delivering a quality of space that feels like an original, seamless part of the house.
Rooflight Conversion
The simplest and most cost-effective option, retaining the existing roof while adding high-performance skylights (e.g. Velux®) for light and air.
Perfect for: Lofts with good existing headroom, creating a bright home office or a quiet study.
Expert Insight: As there are no major external alterations, this usually falls under Permitted Development. The success of this conversion depends entirely on your roof’s existing height.
Our Technology & Your Benefits
A Guarantee of Precision, Clarity, and Control
Our commitment to a stress-free project is powered by technology. Rather than a list of features, this is our promise to you: we use advanced BIM to provide absolute clarity on your design through immersive 3D walkthroughs, total predictability on your budget with a fixed-price quote, and seamless accountability by acting as your single, dedicated partner from the first sketch to the final handshake. This integration of design, cost-control, and construction is the foundation of a successful project.
Our Process
Your Journey from Attic to Asset: The Reltic BIM Process
Our workflow is designed to be transparent, collaborative, and efficient, giving you complete oversight without the stress.
Step 1
Consultation & Feasibility
It starts with a conversation. We listen to your ideas, assess your property’s potential – including a crucial headroom check – and provide an initial budget estimate and clear advice on the planning route.
Step 2
Digital Survey & 3D Model Creation
Our surveyors conduct a precise digital scan of your home. This data forms the bedrock of an intelligent 3D BIM model, ensuring every subsequent design decision is based on flawless accuracy.
Step 3
Interactive 3D Design
This is the creative heart of the project. We translate your vision into tangible architectural designs and invite you to take an immersive 3D tour of your proposed loft to perfect its layout, lighting, and feel.
Step 4
Permissions & Technical Detailing
Our in-house experts manage the entire planning submission process on your behalf. Simultaneously, we develop the detailed structural and technical drawings required for Building Control approval.
Step 5
Final Plan & Fixed Quote
With all approvals in place, we present you with a comprehensive, fixed-price quote for the entire build. This is your guarantee against budget creep. We then finalise the schedule and order key materials.
Step 6
Fully Managed Construction
Our dedicated in-house loft team takes over, managing every trade, delivery, and inspection. Monitor progress 24/7 via your client portal, knowing one team is fully accountable for delivering our promise.
Our Reputation
What Our Clients Say
We are proud of the ambitious spaces we create, but the lasting relationships we build with our clients are our greatest achievement. Here is what some of them have to say about their experience with Reltic BIM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQs About Loft Conversions
Embarking on a loft conversion transforms your home from the top down. Here are clear, straightforward answers to the seven most common questions our clients ask about the process.
Is my loft suitable for conversion?
The key factor is head height. Typically, a minimum height of 2.2m is needed at the highest point of the roof. During our free feasibility consultation, we will take precise measurements and assess the roof pitch and any obstructions to give you a definitive answer.
Do I need Planning Permission for my loft?
Many loft conversions are classed as Permitted Development, meaning they don’t need a full planning application. However, strict rules on volume and appearance apply. We are experts in these regulations and will advise on the correct legal path for your project, ensuring it is fully compliant.
How much does a loft conversion cost in London?
We believe in total financial transparency. Once the design is finalised, we provide a detailed, fixed-price quotation for the entire build. This gives you complete control and peace of mind, knowing the budget is locked in before any work starts.
Does the Party Wall Act apply to loft conversions?
Yes, in almost all cases for terraced or semi-detached homes. The work involves structural changes to elements connected to the shared party wall, so serving a legal notice to your neighbours is required. We will guide you through this process to ensure it is handled correctly and amicably.
Will my new loft be too hot in summer or too cold in winter?
Absolutely not. This is a myth based on poorly executed conversions from the past. Modern Building Regulations enforce very high standards of thermal insulation. We use high-performance insulation boards (like PIR) far exceeding the minimum requirement, along with modern breathable membranes. Furthermore, proper ventilation via trickle vents and openable skylights ensures thermal comfort all year round. We can also install air conditioning at the client’s request.
Can I have a balcony or roof terrace with my loft conversion?
Yes, this is possible and increasingly popular in London. The simplest option is a Juliet balcony – essentially full-height glazed doors with a balustrade, which doesn’t extend from the building and often doesn’t require planning permission. A true roof terrace that you can walk out onto is more complex, requiring Full Planning Permission and advanced structural solutions. We have extensive experience designing and building both types.
Do I need to hire my own Structural Engineer?
No, you don’t. As part of our fully managed Design & Build service, we coordinate and manage all necessary consultants on your behalf. This includes certified structural engineers, Building Control inspectors, and any other specialists required for your project. This is a core part of our promise to deliver a seamless, hassle-free experience for our clients.
What guarantees and insurance do you provide?
The security of your investment is paramount. During the construction phase, your project is protected by our comprehensive Public Liability Insurance and Contractor’s All-Risk Insurance. Upon completion, we provide our own workmanship guarantee, which is clearly defined in our building contract. This gives you peace of mind both during and long after the project is finished.
What happens if unforeseen issues arise during the build?
Transparency is key. While our detailed BIM design process minimises the risk of surprises, should something unexpected be discovered on-site (e.g., hidden pipework or foundation issues), we communicate with you immediately. Using our online platform (Autodesk Construction Cloud), we present the issue, our proposed solutions, and any potential cost or time implications. No additional work is ever undertaken without your full knowledge and formal approval.
