A dormer loft conversion is one of the most popular ways to add real, usable space to your home. By extending out from the roof slope, a dormer creates extra headroom and floor area — often turning a cramped loft into a bright, spacious new room.
At Fox Conversions, we’ve completed dormer lofts in Southend, Leigh-on-Sea, Rayleigh, Hadleigh, and across Essex. As a small, hands-on team, we tailor each project to suit your property and your plans — no off-the-shelf designs or rushed jobs, just carefully built spaces that add real value to your home.
Dormers are ideal when your loft needs a bit more height or usable floor space than a simple Velux conversion can provide. By building a box-shaped extension out of the rear or side of the roof, we can create a full-height room that feels like a proper part of your home — not an afterthought.
They’re especially popular for master bedrooms with en-suites, offices, or even two smaller rooms in larger homes. And while they do involve more structural work than Velux conversions, they’re still highly efficient to build and don’t usually require planning permission.
If you think a dormer might be right for your home, or if you’re weighing up your options, get in touch with us for a free site visit and honest advice. We’re a small team, and we take pride in doing things properly — no rushed quotes, no upselling, just solid, helpful guidance from experienced local builders.
A big part of what we do is making sure the new space doesn’t feel “bolted on.” We take care to design dormers that blend with your home’s character, from the window style and cladding to the roof tiles and finishes. In places like Chalkwell or Romford, we often design more subtle dormers to suit period homes or planning-sensitive areas.
We can also incorporate features like Juliet balconies, large glazed windows, or cleverly built-in storage to make the most of the space — and we’ll work with you on layout, lighting, and finishes so the room works exactly how you need it to
In most cases, no. Rear dormer conversions generally fall under Permitted Development, provided they stay within certain size and height limits. We’ll guide you through this, check the rules for your area, and handle any drawings or applications if needed.
We’ve built dormers on all sorts of homes in Essex — from compact two-bed terraces to detached family homes. They’re particularly useful in lofts where:
There’s limited headroom
You want to add a large bedroom or bathroom
A Velux-only layout just wouldn’t give enough space
If you’re unsure, we’re happy to visit, take measurements, and explain your options clearly.
A typical dormer conversion takes around 6–8 weeks, depending on the size and internal work involved. Most of the work is done externally to minimise disruption, and we always work cleanly and respectfully — especially if you're living in the house during the build.
We only take on a small number of projects at a time, so your job always gets our full attention.
If you think a dormer might be right for your home, or if you’re weighing up your options, get in touch with us for a free site visit and honest advice. We’re a small team, and we take pride in doing things properly — no rushed quotes, no upselling, just solid, helpful guidance from experienced local builders.
A dormer conversion extends vertically from your existing roof slope, creating extra headroom and floor space inside your loft. It’s one of the most effective ways to turn a loft into a full-height, fully functional room — often with space for an en-suite or built-in storage.
In many cases, no — dormers at the rear of a property usually fall under Permitted Development, meaning planning permission isn’t required. However, if the dormer is unusually large, faces the front, or your home is in a conservation area, a planning application might be needed. We’ll check all of this and manage the process if necessary.
Most dormer conversions in Southend and Essex range from £36,000 to £55,000+, depending on the size, layout, and finishes. If you’re adding extras like a bathroom or bespoke joinery, that can increase the cost — but we’ll always give you a detailed quote up front.
Typically, a dormer conversion takes around 6 to 8 weeks to complete. This includes all the structural work, fitting out the room, and any plumbing or electrics needed. We’ll give you a timeline at the start and keep you updated throughout the build.
Yes — but in a good way. A well-designed dormer becomes part of the property, and we’ll always aim to match your existing roof materials and window styles. In many cases, especially in the back of the house, dormers are barely noticeable from the street.
Dormers are ideal for homes with limited loft height or where more usable floor space is needed — like semi-detached, terraced, and detached homes across Essex. If your roof space feels too tight for a Velux-only design, a dormer could make all the difference.