Builders in Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill grew a great deal in the second half of the 20th century, so much of its housing is post-war or more recent, with Victorian and Edwardian homes closer to the town centre and new housing still being built around the edges of the town. Modern estate houses are often well suited to a garage conversion, a side extension or a single storey rear extension. Loft conversions are possible in many homes too, but the roof structure makes a big difference to the cost and the design. Older houses near the centre bring different questions, such as how to join new work to solid walls. Whichever kind of home you have, it pays to understand the options before you ask for prices.

Many houses built in recent decades have roofs made from trussed rafters, with diagonal timbers running through the loft. A loft can still be converted, but the trusses have to be replaced or strengthened with new structural members, so a structural engineer's design is normally part of the job. Where permitted development applies, the Planning Portal limits the extra roof space to 40 cubic metres for a terraced house and 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses. Checkatrade gives a 30m² dormer conversion an average of £50,000, within a range of £40,000 to £60,000, and a hip to gable conversion an average of £60,000, within £50,000 to £70,000. It does not say whether these figures include VAT.

For building control, Mid Sussex District Council's charges from April 2025 list a loft conversion of up to 40m² in a home of no more than two existing storeys at £278 for the plan charge and £558 for the inspection charge, or £836 as a building notice, all plus VAT. Larger lofts over 40m² and up to 100m² are £360, £704 and £1,065 respectively, again plus VAT. Check the council's website for its current charges before you apply.

GOV.UK explains that you can use the council's building control service or a private registered building control approver, who sets its own fee. With a full plans application, the plans are checked and you get a decision within five weeks, or two months with your consent. A building notice suits smaller projects and allows work to start two days after it is submitted, but there is no formal approval of plans. Once the work is complete and complies, GOV.UK says you will usually receive a completion certificate within eight weeks, which you will want to keep for when you sell.