How to start a loft conversion business

Loft conversions are among the most popular home renovation projects. That means starting a loft conversion business could be a lucrative move. Here, we'll look at how to get set up, including the practical steps you'll need to follow.

If you've already become a builder, carpenter or joiner, there are a lot of relevant skills when it comes to loft conversion.

Due to rising house costs, loft conversions give people more living or working space without having to relocate.

With space at a premium in the UK, there is a growing trend of converting homes. So as a business focussing on loft conversion, you could help people by providing them with:

• Extra bedroom

• Proper storage space

• Hobby / games / cinema room

• Study / home office

Having the required skills and the desire to do something different can often inspire change. And that could mean starting a new business venture.

But thinking about how to start a loft conversion business and actually doing it are two different things. If you need a hand navigating the process, why not keep reading?

What are the benefits of a loft conversion business?

Experienced builders and tradespeople that carry out loft conversions need to be trusted specialists. With lots of work involved, loft conversion businesses need to possess the expertise to take every project through from start to finish.

When people are looking to get a large project done on their home, it's your job to help turn those dreams into reality.

There are a number of reasons why you might want to start your own business:

• Large building projects can be lucrative

• There is satisfaction in helping people

• There is always demand for these services

• You can potentially earn more as a business owner

Becoming self-employed or starting your own construction company can therefore be a realistic step to consider in your career. You’ll be able to make the most of the business opportunities you identify. You'll also be able to tailor your very own service.

This guide will run you through the ins and outs of how to start a loft conversion business. So if you're weighing up the next step to take, hopefully you can make this decision with confidence.

Having the right qualifications

Some of the most common routes to becoming a loft-conversion specialist are by c ompleting an apprenticeship as a builder, carpenter, or joiner. Once you've mastered the basic skills, the specifics of loft conversion techniques are then a case of upskilling.

Apprenticeships are a good place to start in any hands-on career.

Depending on the type of loft conversion work that needs doing, the following qualifications will probably be useful:

• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Bench Joinery

• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry

• NVQ Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills

Equally, national industry bodies offer alternative ways of gaining qualifications. These enable those with experience in a similar trade - such as builders and carpenters - to become qualified loft-conversion specialists.

Short courses from professional bodies

The following bodies provide succinct training courses to improve your understanding. They also formally recognise you as a professional loft converter.

• National Federation of Builders (NFB)

• British Woodworking Federation (BWF)

• National House-Building Council (NHBC)

• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

• City & Guilds

• The Builder Training Centre (BTC)

What's more, industry bodies offer accredited memberships to exceptional loft converters. This will highlight your competence and help to impress potential clients.

The importance of having a CSCS card

Loft converters are expected to have completed the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Having a CSCS card isn't a legal requirement, but it will give you the credentials to operate on construction sites. This, in turn, helps to ensure you don’t lose out on any potential work.

Good top-up skills to have

Becoming a fully qualified loft converter highlights to customers your advanced understanding of the field.

However, self-employment gives rise to a host of on-the-job and business challenges. As the business owner you get to make the calls so you get the best work-life balance to suit your life circumstances.

It's good to have the skills below to help your new business to thrive:

• Technical thinking

• Creativity

• Practical skills

• Problem-solving abilities

• Interpersonal skills

• Physically fitness

• Understanding health and safety requirements

• An ability to lead and manage

Having a range of practical skills is key for the job, but business management skills are vital for the ongoing success of your new venture.

Ready to start your loft conversion business?

If you're ready to take the leap and start your loft conversion business, we've got your back.

In a minute, we'll cover the essential steps to getting started. But first, make sure to sign up to our 'Become The Boss' series.

https://youtu.be/UoRV0Fsrgnk

Designed to walk you through starting your own trade business from scratch, you'll be sent seven emails (plus a bonus one!) featuring actionable tips from fellow tradespeople who were once in your position.

You'll also get a free business strategy call. And at the end of it, you'll get to be the boss of your very own loft conversion business!

What are you waiting for? Simply enter your email address below to get trade insider secrets sent straight to your pocket.

Practical steps to set up a new business

Starting a loft conversion business takes organisation, but it's totally achievable if you set your mind to it.

Keep reading for some steps you'll need to take to get started.

Register your business

First, you’ll need to register your business. Regardless of the legal structure you choose, you'll need to get registered with HMRC.

You'll also need to apply for any licensing required by your local authority.

You can register your business as a sole trader, partnership or a limited company. Weigh up the pros and cons. Then choose whichever structure best suits your business needs.

Make a business plan

It’s important to come up with a thorough business plan. This should lay out your business goals - and how you’ll achieve them. For example, a plan can include:

• Which services you'll offer

• Expected income/expenditure

• Areas you'll cover

• Target groups for marketing

• Any plans for scaling

We've put together a handy resource to help you ace it - just download our free business plan template, here.

Manage your finances and get cover

Always stay in control of your financial situation. Initially, your overheads may be high. But you can always fund them by taking out a business loan.

You'll need to stay on top of your cash flow. Especially early on when margins are tighter.

Equally, to protect you and your business financially, it’s highly recommended to invest in public liability insurance. To help out our members, we've partnered with the team at Superscript to get money off the cost of PLI. Interested?

Checkatrade members save 20% on public liability insurance with Superscript

The right insurance is just as essential as the tools of your trade. It can protect you and your livelihood from any incidents. It can also provide cover for your clients should anything happen while you're on site. You might be thinking that "insurance is expensive!" So, to help you get covered for

Learn more

Become a salesperson

As a self-employed loft-conversion specialist, you'll be responsible for all the work your business attracts. This means you'll also need to sharpen up your sales skills.

When pitching to clients, clearly explain to them the benefits of having a loft conversion.

These benefits include:

• Extra living space, which clients can help design

• An increase in the value of the customer's property

• Having a loft installation makes homes more energy-efficient due to extra insulation

• A loft installation costs less than typical extensions

• They can help save on the outdoor space of a conservatory

• Most don’t require planning permission

For further information and additional answers on why homeowners are choosing to convert their lofts, check out our loft conversion plan for homeowners.

Get your pricing right

Before starting any job, you should provide the client with a detailed quote that covers every cost. You should also consider a written agreement outlining the work you'll do.

While you should try to make every quote competitive, it’s really important to ensure the quotes you give are accurate.

If your price is too low, you could:

• Deter clients as they might consider your services to be lower standard

• Lose out financially once you've completed the job

• Frustrate clients by asking for more money that hasn't been budgeted

For more in-depth guidance on how to cost up your projects, see our guide on how to price a job. You can also download a template to help you stay profitable.

Offer a great service

Alongside superb workmanship, providing a professional service will go a long way in growing your new loft conversion business.

Here are some small things that will make a huge difference:

• Completing a building regulations application before starting work

• Presenting and explaining detailed architectural plans to clients

• Being considerate to the customers’ neighbours, especially regarding noise

• Agreeing upon suitable working hours

• Coming across as friendly and polite

• Leaving the area tidy while not working - and leaving it spotless when you've finished

• Sticking to the agreed completion deadline

Word-of-mouth recommendations will be crucial for securing work. When it comes to loft conversions, prospective clients will want a specialist they can trust.

As a skilled builder or tradesperson, you've already upskilled for converting lofts, so why not offer the best customer experience? It will increase your chances of repeat and referral work.

Get your loft conversion business started with Checkatrade

Joining Checkatrade is one of the best ways to find work for your new loft conversion business.

For example, in 2024 alone,we saw over 65,000 job searches just for loft conversion projects.* Plus a further 118,000 general searches for extensions and conversions.* Sound like interest you want coming your way?

By ensuring that yours is one of the businesses people find, you'll benefit from a steady stream of leads. Along with a number of other benefits:

• Savings on business essentials like workwear, tools and materials

• 20% off the cost of public liability insurance

• Access to the multi-purposes Checkatrade trades app

• Time saving quoting and invoicing tool

• Great savings on Quickbooks accounting software

• We'll guarantee your work if booked through us (T&Cs apply)

Have we convinced you? Want to get your new loft conversion business off to a strong start?

Our fixed membership option lets you build the plan that’s perfect for you and your business needs.

FAQs

How long does a loft conversion take?

As you know, it varies based on the volume of work required. From the start of construction, the whole loft conversions can take weeks to complete.

Does a loft conversion increase a house’s value?

Research by Nationwide Building Society found that by converting a loft, customers can often boost the value of their homes by up to 20%.

Do I need permission from the council for loft conversion?

In most cases, you won't need to get planning permission for loft conversions from the local council. It is worth checking the specific rules for your relevant local authority as they can vary.

Is it worth getting an architect for a loft conversion?

Depending on your skill and experience levels, when starting out, you might consider subcontracting an architect for larger conversion projects. This is more to provide added peace of mind for your customer.

* Internal search results from users of the Checkatrade.com website in 2024