Dormers and Loft Conversions in Birmingham
Thinking about turning your loft into a proper room instead of a dusty box full of Christmas decorations? A dormer is usually what makes that possible. Loft conversions are one of the most popular ways for Birmingham homeowners to add space without the upheaval and cost of moving, especially on the city's two-storey terraces and semis where the roofline just isn't tall enough for standing headroom without one. We handle the roofing and structural side of dormer loft conversions across Birmingham: building the dormer itself, altering the existing roof to fit it in, and covering it properly so it keeps the weather out for years to come. We work alongside your builder, architect or loft conversion company, so the roofing part of the job is in safe, experienced hands.
18 years
Trading in Birmingham
15
Experienced roofers
Up to
20 years
Workmanship warranty
Fully insured
What our dormers and loft conversions service includes
We handle the roofing and structural work that makes a loft conversion possible, including:
- Flat-roofed dormers, the most common type in Birmingham, giving you a box-shaped extension out the back of the roof with a flat top and vertical sides.
- Gable-fronted dormers, which have a pitched roof of their own and tend to suit period properties or streets where they blend in better with the existing roofline.
- Hip-to-gable conversions, where a sloped (hipped) side roof is squared off into a vertical gable wall, often used alongside a dormer to maximise the extra floor space.
- Structural alterations to the existing roof, including cutting into rafters, installing new steel or timber supports, and making sure the roof structure can safely take the new opening.
- Cladding on the dormer cheeks (the vertical side walls of the dormer), finished in materials like tile hanging, timber or uPVC.
- Flat roof covering on the dormer top, using systems such as GRP (fibreglass), felt or single-ply membrane.
- Tying the new roofline into your existing tiles or slates, so the join between old and new roof looks seamless and, more importantly, doesn't leak.
If you only need more light or a bit of headroom in one spot rather than a full standing-height space, a roof window might do the job on its own. We cover those separately on our skylights and roof windows page. And if you'd like more detail on the flat roofing materials or cladding options that go on top of a dormer, those are covered in depth on our flat roofing and roof cladding pages. Here, we're focused on the dormer project as a whole.
Signs a dormer is the right move for your loft
A skylight is often enough if you just want a bit more natural light. A dormer is worth considering when:
- You want to actually stand up in most of the loft, not just in the middle where the ridge is highest.
- You're planning a proper bedroom, home office or bathroom up there, not just extra storage.
- The current roof pitch eats into so much floor space that a roof window alone wouldn't give you usable room.
- You want a staircase to lead up to the loft, which usually needs more headroom at the top than a simple window conversion allows.
- You're comparing the cost of moving house against adding space, and the numbers are pointing towards staying put.
If any of that sounds familiar, it's worth getting a proper look from someone who does this regularly, rather than guessing from a few photos online.
Our process for dormer and loft conversion roofing
Survey and discussion.
We come out, look at your existing roof structure and talk through what you're hoping to achieve with the loft space. If you already have an architect or builder involved, we're happy to work alongside them from the start.
Advice on what's typically needed.
Loft conversions usually involve planning permission or building control sign-off, depending on the size and design. We're not the ones who submit those applications, but we can talk you through what's generally required and work alongside your architect, builder or building control body to make sure the roofing side fits what's been approved.
A free, no-obligation quote.
Once we understand the scope, we give you an honest quote, no pressure, no jargon, just a clear breakdown of what the roofing work involves.
The structural work.
This is where the dormer actually takes shape: altering the existing roof timbers, building the new structure, and forming the opening safely.
Covering and finishing.
We fit the flat roof covering on top, clad the cheeks, and tie everything back into your existing tiles or slates so it all looks and performs like it was built as one roof.
Sign-off and warranty.
We talk you through the finished work, and it's backed by our workmanship warranty of up to 20 years, varying by the materials and scope of the job.
Why choose Midlands Roofing for dormers and loft conversions in Birmingham
We know that choosing a roofer for a job this size can feel like a bit of a gamble, especially with how much has been written about cowboy builders in this trade. We're a family-run business that's been trading in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands for 18 years, and our reputation locally matters to us because we live here too.
We run a team of 15 experienced roofers and never use subcontractors, so the people who survey your loft are the same people who build the dormer. We turn up when we say we will, we do the job properly rather than cutting corners, and we treat every customer the way we'd want to be treated ourselves. We're fully insured and experienced, working to current industry and safety standards, and every job comes with a workmanship warranty of up to 20 years. If a dormer isn't the right answer for your loft, we'll tell you, even if that means recommending something smaller.
What affects the cost of a dormer loft conversion
There's no single fixed price for this kind of work, because every loft and every roof is different. Factors that typically affect cost include:
- The type of dormer, since a flat-roofed dormer is generally more straightforward than a gable-fronted dormer or a hip-to-gable conversion.
- The size and number of dormers, as a single small dormer costs less than a full-width rear dormer or multiple dormers.
- The condition and structure of your existing roof, particularly if the timbers need extra strengthening or the roof pitch is unusual.
- The materials chosen for the flat roof covering and cladding, which range in cost and lifespan.
- How the new roofline ties into the existing one, especially on older properties where tiles or slates may need matching or replacing.
- Access to the property, since scaffolding needs and how easily materials can be moved to the roof can affect labour time.
The best way to get an accurate figure is a free, no-obligation quote based on your specific loft and roof.
Areas We Cover
As well as dormers and loft conversions across Birmingham, we cover the wider West Midlands, including Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, Walsall, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Halesowen, Stourbridge and Wednesbury. Wherever you are in the area, our team can usually get to you quickly, with same-day emergency callouts available when you need us most.
Related roofing services
FAQs
Often, but not always, and it depends on the size, design and your local planning rules. Some dormers fall under permitted development, others need full planning permission. We can advise on what's typically needed for your type of project, but planning and building control applications are usually handled by you, your architect or a building control body, and we work alongside whoever's managing that side.
A roof window sits flush within the existing roof slope and adds light without changing the roof shape. A dormer physically alters the roof, adding a vertical-walled section that gives you standing headroom and extra floor space, not just light. If you only need more light, our skylights and roof windows page covers that option.
It varies with the size and type of dormer and the condition of your existing roof, but most dormer roofing projects take a couple of weeks from structural work through to the finished covering. We'll give you a realistic timeframe as part of your quote.
We aim to tie new tiles or slates into your existing roof as closely as possible, and we'll talk you through cladding and covering options that suit the style of your property, whether that's a Birmingham terrace, semi or detached home.
Yes. We regularly work alongside architects, builders and loft conversion specialists, handling the roofing and structural roof alterations while they manage the wider conversion.
Yes, our roofing work on dormers is backed by a workmanship warranty of up to 20 years, depending on the materials and scope of the job.
Thinking about adding a dormer to your loft? Call us now on 07735 424741 or get in touch for a free quote, and we'll talk you through the roofing side of your conversion with no pressure and no jargon.
9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Same day response when your roof needs urgent attention.