FAQ's

Can every loft be converted?
No. It is not practical to convert all lofts; Shepherd & Dixon offer a FREE feasibility study to ensure your loft is suitable for conversion. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.

Do you carry all the materials through the house?
No we load all our materials onto the scaffolding front & rear if possible by crane, the materials are then taken as required through an opening in the roof, generally in the position of the fire escape window.

Must I get planning permission from the local council?
Sometimes and only in certain circumstances. Our qualified surveyors will be able to best advice during our initial FREE consultation.

Do I need building plans for my loft conversion?
Yes. If your loft conversion is to be used as habitable accommodation. At Shepherd & Dixon we will devise plans according to Local Authority Building Regulations.

Can we live in the house while the work is being carried out?
Certainly, the work is carried out with the minimum level of disruption to you and your family.

Do you need access to the house whilst the works are in progress?
Yes, but only to minimum for toilet facilities/electricity supply and hopefully TEA MAKING.

Do we need clear out the loft before you start?
We ask that you remove all valuable goods and would deem that anything left when we start is rubbish.

Is it really dirty when the new stairwell is formed and the stairs are fitted?
No.  We build a platform under the ceiling and lower the ceiling onto it.  We then clear the old ceiling off which eliminates the majority of the dust.  We also dustsheet and tape all of the doors on the landing.

How much do loft conversions cost?
Each conversion is different and therefore so is the price. Our technical surveyor will asses the level of work required during an initial FREE consultation, and advise you of costs accordingly.

Are there any hidden costs?
No, what we quote is what you pay. The only additional costs are fees to the council and any extra works you may require that was not raised at the time of the quote.

How long does the work take?
We estimate for a full loft conversion i.e.: Dormer 6-8 weeks and for a Velux conversion 4-6 weeks but obviously these times can be affected by other factors namely the weather and the extent of any major plumbing works or extra work that may be required i.e.: tiling, wardrobes, re-roofing.

Are you insured?
Yes, we carry a minimum of £5m Public Liability and our plumber and electrician carry their own insurance plus Corgi and NICEIC registered.

Is Shepherd & Dixon a national company?
No. We specialise in delivering a quality service in and around South London. Please view our service areas for details.

Do you only do lofts?
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Do you only carry out the complete package?
No we would also undertake shell only contracts, or if you wanted to leave out a specific trade i.e.: plumbing or electrics we would be pleased to accommodate you.

How do I get started?
Simply contact Shepherd & Dixon Ltd on 0208 688 2825 and we will arrange a FREE/No-obligation Feasibility study with our technical surveyor.