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The types of Loft Conversions that we work in - Ham
Ham sits in one of the quieter corners of South West London, tucked between Richmond Park and the Thames. It has a genuinely village-like feel that is rare this close to the city, and the people who live here tend to value that. When the house needs more space the answer is almost never to leave. It is to make better use of what is already there. A dormer conversion does exactly that. The rear roof slope extends outward, proper standing height comes in and the loft becomes a room that earns its place in the house. The older semis and detached homes in Ham suit this well and a well-built dormer on the back of one of these properties tends to look completely settled once the work is done. Bedroom, home office, en-suite, whatever the room needs to be, there is usually enough up there to make it work properly. Best for: Semis and detached homes in Ham, families who want to stay in the area and need more room, and lofts that are sitting unused because the head height is not quite there yet.
Ham has a good number of semis and detached houses built with hipped roofs, particularly on the residential streets that run through the middle of the area. That inward slope on the side of the roof is easy to ignore until you get into the loft and realise how much floor area it has quietly taken away. What feels like a generous house from the outside can have a surprisingly limited loft once that slope is accounted for. Replacing it with a straight gable wall opens everything up. The full width of the loft becomes usable and the difference is immediate. Most homeowners in Ham add a rear dormer at the same time and the two together produce a layout comfortable enough for a bedroom and a bathroom without anything feeling like a compromise. Best for: Semi-detached and detached homes in Ham with hipped roofs, and homeowners who expected more from their loft than it currently offers.
Ham is a quiet and well-kept area and a lot of homeowners here prefer keeping their properties looking exactly as they are. A Velux conversion sits well with that. The roof structure stays completely untouched, windows are fitted into the existing slope, the floor is reinforced, insulation goes in and the room is brought up to building regulation standard. From the outside nothing changes at all. For homes with good existing head height this is a clean, cost-effective route to a proper usable room upstairs. It takes less time than a dormer build and costs less too. In a settled residential area like Ham where the streets have a consistent and pleasant character, being able to add space without altering the roofline is a real advantage. Best for: Ham homes with decent existing loft height, homeowners who want a simple and affordable solution, and properties where the external appearance is worth leaving alone.
A number of homes in Ham have rear extensions, and the roof sitting above one is usable space that most people walk past every day without thinking about. An L-shaped dormer puts it to work. A dormer goes across the back of the main roof and another sits over the extension. The two connect and the combined floor area is a significant step up from a single dormer. Two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs without the layout feeling tight becomes a realistic outcome rather than an optimistic one. Ham is the kind of place where families put down roots and stay. This conversion is one of the better ways to make the house match that commitment without having to leave a neighbourhood that is genuinely hard to improve on. Best for: Ham homes with a rear extension, families who need more than one room upstairs, and homeowners who want to invest in the house for the long term.
Ham is surrounded by some of the most attractive residential streets in South West London and the properties here are taken seriously. A mansard conversion matches that standard. The entire rear roof slope is rebuilt at a steep angle with a flat top and what comes back is a space that feels like a proper additional floor rather than an improved loft. Full ceiling height throughout, straight walls and rooms that do not require any adjustment to feel comfortable in. Planning permission is usually required and the project takes longer than other conversion types. In Ham that process is worth going through. Properties here hold their value well and well-executed work is recognised and rewarded over time. For homeowners who want the most a loft can give and want to do it properly, a mansard is the right answer. Best for: Larger and higher-value homes in Ham, homeowners who want the maximum possible space, and anyone prepared to go through the planning process for a result that genuinely sets the property apart.
There are bungalows in Ham that sit on generous plots with attractive outlooks and they are well-loved homes. Single storey living suits a lot of people perfectly until the household changes and the ground floor simply cannot keep up. A loft conversion is the most natural way to deal with that without disturbing what already works. Bedrooms and a bathroom get added upstairs and the ground floor carries on exactly as it was. Nothing gets moved around or compromised to make it fit. Bungalow roofs in Ham tend to span the full width of the property so there is usually more floor area available up there than the outside suggests. In one of South West London's most sought-after pockets, using that space well is as sound a decision as a homeowner can make. Best for: Bungalows in Ham where the ground floor has run out of room, families who need more space without the disruption of moving, and homeowners who want to add lasting value to a property in one of the most desirable parts of South West London.
Do you have a question about Loft Conversions? We're here to help. Contact our team at Loft Conversions London
Not necessarily. Some loft conversions to houses can fall under permitted development, but this depends on the proposed work and the property's circumstances. Conservation areas, Article 4 Directions, planning conditions and listed-building status can affect the position.
Yes. Richmond Council identifies Ham Common as one of its conservation areas. This means additional planning controls can apply to certain alterations to properties within the designated area.
A dormer may be possible, but the appropriate design depends on the property, roof structure and planning position. Where the property is within a conservation area, the appearance and effect of the dormer will need particularly careful consideration.
Yes, depending on the property. A hip-to-gable conversion can sometimes increase the usable width of a loft and may be combined with a dormer where appropriate.
Flats are treated differently from houses. Richmond Council confirms that permitted development rights do not apply to flats, so external alterations generally require planning permission. Lease and freeholder requirements may also need to be considered.
Yes. A loft conversion intended to create habitable accommodation needs to satisfy the relevant Building Regulations requirements, including structural, fire-safety, insulation and access considerations.
The cost depends on the size, design, structural requirements and specification. A broad London guide is currently around £50,000–£90,000 excluding VAT and certain professional fees, although more complex projects can exceed this range.
Start with the existing roof, planning history, conservation-area status, any Article 4 restrictions, the proposed staircase and the accommodation you want to create. These checks can help determine the most realistic design before detailed drawings are prepared.
Absolutely yes, we will work with you to achieve your dream new living space.
