{"id":7406,"date":"2026-07-06T14:37:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/?p=7406"},"modified":"2026-07-06T14:37:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T14:37:24","slug":"wraparound-extension-loft-conversion-se13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wraparound-extension-loft-conversion-se13\/","title":{"rendered":"Wraparound Extension and Loft Conversion in SE13: The Littlewood Case Study"},"content":{"rendered":"

This SE13 family home had two Build Team projects: a 30 sqm ground floor wraparound extension (12 weeks, \u00a360,000 plus VAT) and a 30 sqm dormer loft conversion (10 weeks, \u00a345,000 plus VAT), adding a double bedroom with ensuite. Together they turned a standard South East London terrace into an open-plan family home with an extra floor of space. Below is the full project: both phases, the floorplans, the cost and timeline, and the finished rooms.<\/p>\n

See the full project lookbook<\/strong>
Floorplans, design sketches and the complete photo set for both projects in one document.
Download the Littlewood case study (PDF)<\/a><\/div>\n

The two projects at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nGround floor extension<\/th>\nLoft conversion<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Type<\/strong><\/td>\nWraparound extension<\/td>\nFull-length rear dormer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size<\/strong><\/td>\n30 sqm<\/td>\n30 sqm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration<\/strong><\/td>\n12 weeks<\/td>\n10 weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00a360,000 + VAT<\/td>\n\u00a345,000 + VAT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Part one: the wraparound ground floor extension<\/h2>\n

As part of a full renovation of this South East London family home, we designed and built a ground floor wraparound extension, pushing out 2.5 metres at the rear. The result is a 30 sqm open-plan kitchen and dining area, with full-width bifold doors connecting the room to a newly landscaped garden and deck. A series of Velux windows along the side return adds further natural light to the space.<\/p>\n

\"Open-plan\n
The finished open-plan kitchen and dining area.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Design features: the extension<\/h3>\n

Velux windows along the side return.<\/strong> Three rooflights draw the eye up to the pitch of the roof and flood the kitchen with natural light, without needing to extend the roofline itself.<\/p>\n

Bifold doors, flush decking.<\/strong> Full-width bifolds open the kitchen onto the garden, and the new decking sits flush with the internal floor level, so the transition between inside and outside disappears when the doors are open.<\/p>\n

\"Bifold\n
Full-width bifold doors onto the flush garden deck.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Wood flooring throughout.<\/strong> A light-coloured hardwearing wood floor unifies the ground floor, and the same material appears again in the dining table and worktops, keeping the palette warm rather than stark.<\/p>\n

Pendant lighting over the table.<\/strong> Three hanging pendants zone the dining area within the open-plan space and set the mood for evenings and dinner parties.<\/p>\n

Understairs WC.<\/strong> A small WC fits neatly into the space under the stairs, an area that would otherwise have gone to waste.<\/p>\n

Part two: the dormer loft conversion<\/h2>\n

Converting the loft added a full-length rear dormer, giving the family a spacious extra double bedroom with ensuite. Bifold doors and a Juliet balcony at the rear open the room up to roof and treetop views, while additional Velux windows to the front bring in further natural light.<\/p>\n

\"Dormer\n
The new loft bedroom, with bifold doors onto a Juliet balcony.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Design features: the loft<\/h3>\n

Downlights, not pendants.<\/strong> With ceiling height just above the minimum requirement, flush downlights and wall lighting avoid low-hanging fittings and keep the sense of height in the room.<\/p>\n

Bifolds with a Juliet balcony.<\/strong> A large set of bifold doors with a balustrade across the rear of the dormer opens the room to roof and treetop views without the cost or complexity of a full balcony.<\/p>\n

\"Ensuite\n
The ensuite, fitted into a corner that would otherwise be redundant space.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

Cream carpet.<\/strong> A soft, light carpet adds warmth underfoot and bounces light around the room, helping a loft bedroom feel larger than its footprint.<\/p>\n

Ensuite bathroom.<\/strong> Tucked into a corner of the room that would otherwise be wasted storage space, the ensuite means the new bedroom works as genuine self-contained space, not just an extra room sharing the family bathroom.<\/p>\n

Velux windows to the front.<\/strong> Where the front roof pitch can’t be altered facing the street, Velux rooflights are usually the only way to bring in natural light from that side.<\/p>\n

Built-in eaves storage.<\/strong> Full-length storage built into the low eaves keeps everyday attic clutter out of sight without losing the usable footprint of the room.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

From the design team<\/p>\n

[Placeholder: one or two sentences from the team member who worked on this project \u2014 for example how the two projects were sequenced on the same house, or a detail on getting the loft ceiling height to work with downlights rather than pendants. This first-hand note is what makes the page unique.]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Planning and party wall<\/h2>\n

A wraparound extension of this size can sometimes fall under permitted development, though combining side and rear space often pushes a project past the automatic limits \u2014 worth checking with your local authority before assuming either project needs, or doesn’t need, a full application. A rear dormer loft conversion, within the usual volume limits, is more often possible under permitted development. Our planning checker<\/a> is a quick way to see where your own project might sit.<\/p>\n

If your house shares a wall with a neighbour, both an extension and a loft conversion can trigger the Party Wall Act, so it’s worth serving notice early for either project. We explain the process on our party wall page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What it cost and how long it took<\/h2>\n

Together, the two projects added 60 sqm of new space over 22 weeks of building time, for a combined \u00a3105,000 plus VAT. Costs vary with size, specification and the condition of the existing house, so treat these as two real data points rather than a fixed benchmark. For more on how extension and loft conversion costs break down, see our extension cost guide<\/a> and our loft conversion guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wraparound extensions and loft conversions: common questions<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Can I do a ground floor extension and a loft conversion as separate projects?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

Yes. As this house shows, the two don’t have to happen at once. Doing them as separate phases can spread the cost and disruption, though there can be efficiencies in combining scaffolding or planning applications if timed together.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

How much do a wraparound extension and loft conversion cost together?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

It depends on size and specification. At Littlewood, the wraparound extension was \u00a360,000 plus VAT for 30 sqm, and the loft conversion \u00a345,000 plus VAT for a further 30 sqm.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Do I need a party wall agreement?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n\n

If your house is attached to a neighbour, almost certainly yes, for either an extension or a loft conversion. See our party wall page (linked above) for how it works.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n

Thinking about an extension, a loft conversion, or both?<\/p>\n

Build Team is a London design and build specialist, trusted by more than 1,750 London homeowners. We design and build extensions and loft conversions like this SE13 home, as one project or in phases, with a clear, fixed price agreed before work begins. Book a free consultation to talk through your home and your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get an instant online quote<\/a> Book a free consultation<\/a><\/div>\n

Or call <\/span>020 7495 6561<\/a> \u00b7 email <\/span>hello@buildteam.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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