Loft Conversion Drawings and Planning Drawings
Drawing proof · existing and proposed plansLoft conversion drawings turn your ideas into a clear, measured proposal. We survey your home, prepare the existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, roof layout and sections needed for the project, then submit the planning or Lawful Development Certificate package where required.
Not included
Council planning or certificate fees, online submission charges and building-control fees are separate. On a full-planning project, Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations form the £550 second stage after approval. Party wall matters are separate.
What you receive
- Measured survey
- Existing floor plans and elevations
- Proposed floor plans, elevations and sections
- Roof plan and loft floor layout where relevant
- Location and block plans
- Application forms prepared and submitted
- Liaison with the planning officer during the application
- PDF drawings, plus printed copies
Full-planning fees in two stages
Planning drawings & submission
£950Paid for the survey, design drawings and planning application preparation.
Building Regulations drawings + structural calculations
£550Payable after planning approval; finalised within a further few working days.
How it works
- 01
Get in touch
Tell us about your home and what you want from the loft. We'll confirm the price and book the survey.
- 02
Measured survey
We measure the house and roof space so the drawings reflect the building as it actually is.
- 03
Drawings
We prepare the planning or LDC drawings and submission in approximately 1–2 weeks.
- 04
Submission
Once you're happy we prepare the forms and submit to your council, and deal with any officer queries.
What loft conversion drawings you receive
The drawing package records the existing house and explains the proposed loft design clearly. It normally includes: • Existing floor plans and elevations based on the measured survey • Proposed loft and affected floor plans • Proposed elevations showing dormers, rooflights, gables and materials • A roof plan or floor layout where relevant • A section showing key heights, roof form and the relationship between floors • Location and block plans for the application The exact set depends on the property, conversion type and submission route.
When you need them
You need planning drawings for almost every loft conversion that changes the shape of the roof: • If the work is Permitted Development, to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate • If it isn't — for example a front dormer, a flat, a conservation area or an Article 4 area — to apply for householder planning permission • As the agreed design your builder and building control work from A rooflight-only conversion may not need a planning application at all, but drawings are still useful for building control and your builder.
Choosing the right planning route
Before drawing anything we look at your property type, location and any previous extensions to work out whether the loft is likely to fall under Permitted Development or needs a full application. Getting this right first avoids redrawing and resubmitting later. If Permitted Development is unlikely, we design to your council's local policies and explain any trade-offs — such as a smaller dormer, a set-back from the eaves or matching materials — before you commit.
Not sure which conversion suits your loft?
We’ll assess the roof and explain what the space can realistically deliver.
Planning drawings vs Building Regulations drawings
Planning drawings explain the appearance, size and layout of the proposal so the council can assess a planning application or Lawful Development Certificate. Building Regulations drawings are the later technical set used by building control and the builder; they cover matters such as fire safety, stairs, insulation and ventilation. Structural calculations then size the beams, joists and other load-bearing elements. These documents work together, but each has a different purpose.
Who can draw loft conversion plans?
A homeowner may use an architect, an architectural designer or technician, or a specialist loft-plan service. The right choice depends on the complexity of the property, how much design exploration is needed and whether you want one specialist to coordinate the planning, technical drawings and structural information. Loft Plans provides a specialist loft-design and drawing service; we do not describe ourselves as an architectural practice.
Where we work
We prepare planning drawings for homes across Essex, Hertfordshire and North and East London, from our base in Harlow. Each council has its own validation requirements and design guidance, and we prepare the submission to suit the authority your home falls under.
Frequently asked questions
01What drawings do I receive for a loft conversion?
The planning package normally includes measured existing floor plans and elevations, proposed floor plans and elevations, a roof plan and cross-section, plus location and block plans for the application. The exact sheets depend on the property and proposed conversion.
02Do I need planning drawings if my loft is Permitted Development?
Permitted Development does not require a planning application, but you still need drawings to show the work meets the limits and to apply for a Lawful Development Certificate, which most homeowners do so they have formal proof for a future sale. Your builder and building control will also need a set of drawings.
03How much do loft conversion planning drawings cost?
The initial planning/design stage is £950. For a full-planning case, a further £550 is payable after approval to finalise the Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, making the total coordinated package £1,500. Council, statutory and building-control fees are separate.
04How long do planning drawings take?
After the survey, we prepare the planning or LDC drawings and submission in approximately 1–2 weeks. Council determination time is separate from our preparation period.
05Are planning drawings enough to start building?
No. Planning drawings show what the loft will look like, not how it will be built. Before work starts you will also need building regulations drawings and structural calculations, which are included in our full package.
06Can you guarantee my application will be approved?
No one can honestly guarantee a council decision. What we do is check the likely planning route for your property before drawing, design within the relevant rules and policies, and respond to any queries from the planning officer during the application.
See an example
A sample set of loft conversion planning drawings we've produced. Opens as a PDF in a new tab.
Get a quote for your loft conversion drawings
Tell us about your loft and we'll come back with a fixed price.
Related services
Formal confirmation that a Permitted Development loft is lawful.
The technical drawings your builder and building control need next.
Permitted Development vs a full application, explained.
Beam and joist design by a structural engineer.
Compare architects, architectural designers and specialist loft-plan services.
Ready to plan your loft conversion?
Tell us about the property and receive a clear, fixed-price scope for the design stage.