Loft conversions in Marston Green

What should you know before starting in Marston Green?

Planning applications and lawful development certificates for Marston Green go to Solihull Council. Many loft conversions fall under permitted development, but not every house keeps those rights — conditions on newer estates, conservation areas and Article 4 directions can remove them. The structural work also needs Building Regulations approval, through the council's building control team or a registered building control approver.

A dormer on the roof slope facing the street, or one that rises above the ridge, needs a planning application.
On a semi or terrace, steel beams bearing on the shared wall need two months' party wall notice.
The new staircase usually needs 2 metres of headroom, with a little leeway allowed for loft conversions.

Postcode district: B37
Planning and building control: Solihull Council
From our West Bromwich base: 11 miles

Options to consider in Marston Green

Mansard conversion

The rear roof slope is rebuilt almost vertically, at around 70 degrees, with a flat top and windows set into it. It gives the most space but changes the roof shape significantly, so it normally needs a planning application. It can suit terraces where a dormer would be too limited, and it's the most expensive of the common types.

Roof-light conversion

The simplest option: the roof shape stays the same and roof windows are fitted into the slope. It works when there's already enough head height, keeps costs down, and is often permitted development because roof lights can project up to 150 mm from the roof plane. You do lose some usable floor area under the sloping ceilings.

Guide prices for Marston Green

Prices in Marston Green match the rest of our area: £22,000–£72,000 depending on size and specification. A rear dormer with a double bedroom and shower room on a three-bed semi: usually £42,000–£52,000.

Guide prices for loft conversions
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Roof-light conversion	£22,000 – £32,000	One room, no change to the roof shape
Rear dormer	£38,000 – £55,000	Bedroom and shower room; a good fit for semis and terraces
Hip-to-gable with rear dormer	£48,000 – £68,000	Most usable space; semis and detached houses

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. We confirm a fixed price for the agreed specification after visiting.

Your questions answered

How much disruption is there?

Less than most people expect until the staircase goes in. Scaffolding carries materials straight into the roof, so few deliveries come through the house. The disruptive week or two is when the stair opening is cut and the landing doors are upgraded, which brings dust and noise to the first floor. We sheet off the landing and keep bedrooms usable wherever we can.

Do you cover Marston Green?

Yes. Marston Green (B37) is about 11 miles from our West Bromwich base and inside the area we cover. Call 0800 088 6248 or send the form on this page to book a free survey.

Is my loft suitable for conversion?

Measure from the top of a ceiling joist to the underside of the ridge. Around 2.2 metres or more usually means a conversion is practical; less than that may still work with a dormer or lowered ceilings but costs more. Roof structure matters too, as older cut-timber roofs are simpler to convert than modern trussed roofs, which need more steel. We check all of this at the free survey.

Does Solihull Council need to approve my loft conversion?

Usually building control, and sometimes planning. Solihull Council is the planning authority for Marston Green; Building Regulations approval comes from its building control team or a registered building control approver. We'll tell you which applies after the survey.

Nearby places we cover

Other work we do in Marston Green

Get a guide price for a Marston Green loft conversion online, then a fixed price for the agreed specification once we've seen the roof.