⭐ 9.96/10 Checkatrade · 114+ Reviews
📞 07359 872594
⭐ 9.96/10 Checkatrade · 114+ Verified Reviews · 60 Years Combined Experience

London's Loft Conversion & Extension Specialists

RCB Design & Build — Residential, Commercial, Bespoke. We specialise in loft conversions and house extensions across all London boroughs and the wider M25 area. Principal Contractor. Fixed price. Building Control managed.

60 years combined experience · 500+ London projects delivered · From Velux to mansard, from rear extensions to wraparounds

60+
Years combined experience
500+
London projects delivered
9.96
Checkatrade score out of 10
M25+
Coverage — all London + counties
⭐ Checkatrade 9.96/10✓ 25-Year Structural Warranty✓ Full Public Liability Insurance✓ CDM Principal Contractor
🏗️ WHAT WE DO

Our Two Core Specialisms

Everything else we do — bathrooms, kitchens, refurbishments, structural alterations — is associated work that comes as part of the loft conversion or extension. One team. One contract. One price.

Most popularFrom £35,000

Loft Conversions

Velux, rear dormer, hip-to-gable, L-shaped dormer and mansard. Most loft conversions are delivered under Permitted Development — no full planning required. Includes structural works, en-suite bathroom, staircase, insulation and first-fix M&E.

Velux RooflightRear DormerHip-to-GableL-Shaped DormerMansard
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No. 1 by volumeFrom £45,000

House Extensions

Rear extensions, side returns, wraparound extensions and double-storey additions. Planning and Building Control managed. Fixed price before we start. All associated works included — kitchen, utility, WC, steels, floor finishes.

Rear ExtensionSide ReturnWraparoundDouble StoreyKitchen Extension
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Who we work with

Our clients range from homeowners adding a bedroom to property developers managing large-scale conversions.

🏡

Homeowners

You want to add space without moving. We guide you from first conversation to Building Control sign-off.

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Property Investors

Add value, maximise yield, convert HMOs. We understand the commercial logic of every decision.

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Landlords

Refurbishments between tenancies, portfolio maintenance, HMO compliance. One contact for everything.

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First-Time Buyers

Buying a property to improve? We give you a realistic picture of what it costs before you buy — or as soon as you do.

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Property Developers

Design-and-build, principal contractor services, CDM management, full programme control.

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Estate Agents & Brokers

Refer clients who need pre-sale renovation, extension potential advice or structural issue resolution.

What makes RCB different

Not the only builder in London. But one of the very few with this combination.

60 Years Combined Experience

Our site team includes tradespeople and project managers with decades of London residential and light commercial construction experience.

Loft & Extension Specialists

Not a general builder. Everything else we do — bathrooms, kitchens, refurbishments — is associated work that comes with the loft or extension.

Principal Contractor, Not a Subcontractor

RCB holds CDM principal contractor responsibility. You deal with one company, one contract, one fixed price.

M25 Coverage — All London + Surrounding Counties

We cover all London boroughs plus Essex, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Kent within the M25 and up to two hours' drive.

Fixed Price Before We Start

The price is agreed before the first tool is picked up. No extras unless you change the scope. Documented in writing.

Building Regulations, Planning & Structural — All Managed

We coordinate your architect, structural engineer, Planning Authority and Building Control. You don't have to chase anyone.

How it works — from enquiry to completion

A clear, staged process that protects your money and keeps the project on track.

1

Project review

We visit your property. No obligation, no cost. We assess what's possible and realistic.

2

Fixed-price estimate

After the survey and structural information, we issue a fully itemised fixed price in writing.

3

Planning & Building Control

We coordinate your architect, structural engineer, Planning Authority and Building Control.

4

Build & sign-off

We deliver on the programme. You receive a completion certificate and 25-year structural warranty.

What clients say

Checkatrade verified reviews — 9.96/10 from 114+ clients

All reviews →
10/10Rear Dormer Loft Conversion

RCB converted our loft into a master bedroom and ensuite. The whole process was smooth from first visit to Building Control sign-off. They managed everything — we didn't have to chase anyone. Completed in 9 weeks, exactly as promised.

David M. · Stratford, E15
9.9/10Rear Extension with Kitchen

Our rear extension has completely transformed how we use the house. Fixed price meant no nasty surprises. Vasi and the team were professional throughout, kept us updated every week and the finish is excellent.

Sarah K. · Ilford, IG1
10/10HMO Conversion

We had our HMO refitted to meet new licensing requirements. RCB knew exactly what Building Control needed — fire doors, emergency lighting, compartmentation — had it all done in under 8 weeks.

Mohammed R. · Newham, E6
9.8/10Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion

Hip-to-gable conversion with rear dormer. Very neat finish throughout — brickwork, internal plastering, the en-suite. They submitted the planning application and handled Building Regs sign-off themselves. Would recommend without hesitation.

Angela T. · Walthamstow, E17
📚 KNOWLEDGE HUB

Everything you need to know before you build

Our knowledge hub covers planning permission, party wall agreements, types of drawings, Building Regulations, how to choose a builder, contractor insurance, JCT contracts, CDM duties, green energy and more. Free guides written by construction professionals.

Explore the knowledge hub →

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions we hear most.

What is the difference between Permitted Development and Planning Permission for a loft conversion?+
Most loft conversions fall under Permitted Development Rights — meaning you do not need to submit a full planning application. Permitted Development allows a rear dormer up to 40m³ (terraced) or 50m³ (semi-detached) without planning. Hip-to-gable conversions on semi-detached properties are also typically Permitted Development. A Lawful Development Certificate can be obtained from the council to confirm this. Full planning permission is required for mansard conversions in most areas, for properties in conservation areas, or where the property has already used its Permitted Development allowance.
How long does a loft conversion take?+
A standard rear dormer loft conversion takes 8–12 weeks on site from scaffold erection to Building Control sign-off. A Velux-only conversion (no dormer) can be completed in 5–7 weeks. L-shaped and mansard conversions typically take 12–16 weeks. Pre-construction — structural engineer, Building Regulations drawings, scaffold — adds 4–6 weeks before work starts.
What types of house extension are there?+
The main types are: rear extension (single storey into the garden), side return extension (filling the narrow gap beside terrace houses), wraparound extension (rear plus side return combined), double-storey extension (adding accommodation on two floors), kitchen extension (a specific form of rear extension), and infill extensions between existing structures. Each type has different planning requirements, structural implications and cost profiles.
Do I need Building Regulations for a loft conversion?+
Yes. All loft conversions require Building Regulations approval, even if they are within Permitted Development and do not require planning permission. Building Regulations govern structural integrity (floor strengthening, steels), fire safety (protected escape route, fire doors), thermal insulation, electrical safety, and staircase geometry. RCB manages the Building Regulations application and inspections — you receive a completion certificate at the end.
What is included in a loft conversion price?+
A full RCB loft conversion price typically includes: structural engineer design, scaffold, roof works (dormer structure, felt, battens, tiles/slates), new floor structure, staircase installation, dormer windows or roof lights, first-fix electrics and plumbing, insulation, plasterboard and skim, en-suite bathroom installation (labour — client supplies sanitaryware and tiles), fire doors, and Building Control applications and inspections. It does not include: client-supplied second-fix materials (sanitaryware, tiles, light fittings), Planning Application fees, or Lawful Development Certificate fees.
What is the difference between a principal contractor and a general builder?+
A principal contractor has formal CDM 2015 responsibilities for coordinating health and safety across the construction phase. They take legal responsibility for the construction phase plan, site safety, and trade coordination. A general builder typically works as a subcontractor on someone else's project, or informally as a main contractor without CDM designation. For any project with more than one trade or more than 30 working days, a notifiable principal contractor must be appointed. RCB holds this role on all projects we deliver.
How do I know what my loft conversion will cost before I appoint anyone?+
Book a project review with RCB. We visit your property, assess the roof structure, head height, access point for the staircase, and what type of conversion is suitable. After the survey we give you a realistic indicative cost range. Once structural engineer drawings and Building Regulations plans are produced, we issue a fully itemised fixed-price estimate. Our cost guides also give you a reliable starting range by conversion type.

Areas we cover

All London boroughs plus Essex, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Kent — within the M25 and up to two hours' drive.

NewhamBarkingIlfordRomfordStratfordHackneyWalthamstowGreenwichLewishamBromleyCroydonSuttonWandsworthLambethSouthwarkTower HamletsIslingtonHaringeyEnfieldBarnetHarrowEalingHounslowKingstonRichmondMertonBexleyDartfordGravesendSevenoaksWatfordSt AlbansBrentwoodChelmsford
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Ready to add space? Let's start with a project review.

We visit your property, assess what's possible, and give you a realistic picture — at no cost and no obligation. We cover all of London and the surrounding counties.

Same-day response. Survey within the week. Fixed price before any work starts.

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