Loft Conversions Across Sussex
Family-run loft builders from Lancing. Honest fixed prices, real craftsmanship, and you can stay in your home throughout.
★★★★★ 34 five-star Google reviews
- Building lofts since 2005
- Family-run: Jay, his wife Madeleine and his dad Mick, with apprentice Alfie
- Fixed prices: the price we agree is the price you pay
- Live at home throughout: we build from the scaffold
Need more space but don't want to move? A loft conversion can give you a new master suite, extra bedrooms or a home office, often for far less than the cost of moving.
I'm Jay, and I run Oakwood Lofts. I've been building lofts since I became a carpenter in 2005, working alongside my dad, Mick, who has been a carpenter for over 50 years. Today I build every loft myself with my apprentice, Alfie, and Mick still does the finishing carpentry. You deal with me from the first visit to the day we hand over your new room.
The loft conversions we build
- Dormer loft conversions: the most popular way to add full head height and a bedroom with en-suite. More about dormer conversions →
- Hip to gable conversions: ideal for detached and semi-detached houses with hipped roofs. More about hip to gable conversions →
- Velux and rooflight conversions: a simpler option where there's already good head height. More about Velux conversions →
- L-shaped dormers: maximum space for period terraces and semis with a back addition. More about L-shaped dormers →
- New-build and trussed roof conversions: the jobs many loft companies turn down. More about new-build conversions →
Recent projects
How it works
- Free survey. I'll visit, look at your loft and talk through what's possible.
- Fixed price and proposal. You get a fixed price and a detailed written proposal setting out exactly what's included.
- Design and approvals. We work with an architect on the drawings, planning (if needed) and building control.
- The build. We build from the scaffold, with materials craned up, so nothing comes through your house. A standard dormer takes around 12 weeks.
- Stairs and handover. We open up for the stairs only once the loft is built, then fit them the next day. Mick finishes the joinery, and you get your new space.
What our clients say
“What we agreed at the start is exactly what we paid.”
We are exceptionally pleased with the end result and the overall build quality of our loft conversion. Jay and his dad Mick are true experts in their craft and their attention to detail really shows in the final finish.
Jay was onsite every day, which made it very easy to manage the build with him. He was always on hand to answer any questions and also found clever ways to enhance the original drawings during construction to help maximise the available space.
His communication was excellent throughout. He always responded quickly and kept us fully updated on the progress of the work.
The tradesmen Jay uses are great too. They respected our home, worked tidily and completed everything to a very high standard. A special mention goes to Chris the plasterer. The quality of his finish is outstanding, with perfectly smooth walls and ceilings. Even our decorator praised the plastering and said it made his job much easier. We will definitely be using Chris again for any future plastering work.
As with any build, a few small issues came up along the way, but Jay dealt with them immediately and with real care. He was proactive and always made sure everything was put right. This gave us a lot of reassurance, especially as we have experienced poor workmanship from other builders in the past.
Jay’s quote for the build was accurate and honest from the beginning. The build was completed within the timeframe agreed and there were no extra or unexpected costs. What we agreed at the start is exactly what we paid.
We highly recommend Oakwood Lofts. Jay is respectful, professional and genuinely honest. We will definitely be using his services again in the future and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone considering a loft conversion.
Quoc, Shoreham · Google review, 2025 · see their loft
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“Not all lofts are equal, and many companies take shortcuts, but you can see the depth of expertise and care in their work.”
A hugely professional team. Courteous, thoughtful and a delight to have around the house. Jay and his team reflect a commitment not just to customers but also in the deep quality of their professions. Not all lofts are equal, and many companies take shortcuts, but you can see the depth of expertise and care in their work, which extended to getting spindles custom made to match (at no extra cost!!), extra depth in floors for soundproofing and changing the roof light layout so it couldn’t leak, which was a risk in the design. They are also very creative, not only finding great solutions to the inevitable things that happen, also suggesting ideas for other problems I had around the house that had nothing to do with them.
But Jay also runs a tight ship and his attention to detail was impressive. He was in control of the schedule at all times, giving me plenty of notice when he needed something, and dealing patiently (and weirdly promptly!) with my 6am Saturday morning panic texts about progress - he always had a plan. His values of service and quality extends to all of his team; the inevitable odd mistake in 2nd stage fix was rectified immediately before I’d barely noticed, and any additional work was priced fairly and invoiced clearly so I understood. In fact, not everything I asked for cost more - Jay was incredibly thoughtful about what changes they could make to keep costs down.
I’ve had a lot of building work done over 20 years of owning houses, and Oakwood have been the best value, the highest quality and the most fun to have around. It felt like they were on my side at all times, and I recommend without hesitation you use them now, before their order book involves a 9 month wait.
Sam, Hove · Google review, 2019 · see their loft
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“Everything has been finished to a beautiful standard (visitors have particularly complimented the carpentry) and I am grateful for Jay's sensible advice and good taste.”
I feel very lucky to have found Oakwood Lofts to build my loft conversion for me. Not only am I delighted with the end result, Jay, Mick and the whole team were a pleasure to work with and to have around. Everything has been finished to a beautiful standard (visitors have particularly complimented the carpentry) and I am grateful for Jay's sensible advice and good taste at various points throughout the process.
Rosie, Brighton · Google review, 2019 · see their loft
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“He was courteous and tidy, which we really appreciated as we have two small children.”
Jay and his team were terrific from start to finish. Communication was excellent, even responding to messages outside of work hours, which was much appreciated. Jay would go the extra mile and nothing was too much trouble. We are so pleased with our loft and have had lots of lovely compliments on it. Jay’s team is professional and the level of craftsmanship is amazing. He was courteous and tidy, which we really appreciated as we have two small children. Would not hesitate to recommend him.
Steve and Sarah, Hassocks · Google review, 2019 · see their loft
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All quotes are from our Google reviews. Read all 34 reviews on Google →
In the community
Proud to support local causes
We support Andy's Angels, a Worthing charity for grieving children and families, and volunteer at and sponsor Search Seven's charity golf days, which have raised close to £200,000 for Sussex and national charities.
Areas we cover
We're based in Lancing and build lofts across West and East Sussex, including:
Worthing Goring & Ferring Lancing Shoreham Littlehampton Brighton Hove Saltdean Lewes Haywards Heath Burgess Hill Hassocks Henfield Steyning Uckfield Billingshurst Horsham
Frequently asked questions
How much does a loft conversion cost?
Our loft conversions start from £65,000 for a dormer, £70,000 for a hip to gable, £75,000 for an L-shaped dormer and £40,000 for a Velux conversion, including VAT. Cost guide →
Do I need planning permission?
Many loft conversions fall under permitted development and don't need full planning permission. Front dormers, flats and conservation areas are usually different. We'll check at the free survey. Planning guide →
How long does it take?
A standard dormer takes around 12 weeks from start to finish.
Can we stay at home during the work?
Yes. We build from the scaffold and only open up for the stairs once the loft is finished, so you can live at home from start to finish.
Get your free quote
Tell me a little about your home and I'll come out for a free, no-obligation survey, talk through the options and give you an honest, fixed price.
Or email jay@oakwoodlofts.co.uk · Based in Lancing, West Sussex