Loft conversionsin Exeter
Turn wasted roof space into a bedroom, office or en-suite without moving house. Jake spent three years of his apprenticeship on loft conversions, so he knows the structure from the inside.
Backed by our 12-month workmanship guarantee
City & Guilds Level 3
Plus a Diploma in Site Carpentry
£2m public liability
Insured while we work
12-month guarantee
On all our workmanship
One point of contact
Small team, trusted regular trades
Loft Conversions
Loft conversions are carpentry at heart
A loft conversion turns the space in your roof into a usable room. It usually means strengthening the floor with new joists, altering or adding roof timbers, adding dormers or roof windows, building a staircase, insulating, and then fitting out with plastering, electrics, and often an en-suite.
Our loft conversions are for homeowners in Exeter and across Devon who need another bedroom, a home office, a playroom or a main bedroom with en-suite, and would rather add space than move.
You might be thinking about it when the family is growing, when working from home needs a proper room, or when you've looked at the cost of moving and decided to improve the house you have.
Most of the structural work in a loft conversion is carpentry. Jake began his career with three years on loft conversions during his apprenticeship, and later built timber frame houses. That background means the structure is set out properly from the start.
Why it matters
What can go wrong with a loft conversion
Loft conversions change the structure of your house. Cutting roof timbers without the right design, undersized floor joists, or poorly planned stairs can cause movement, cracking and problems with Building Regulations sign-off, which can also cause issues when you come to sell.
Poor insulation and ventilation are common problems too. A loft room that's too hot in summer, too cold in winter or prone to condensation is one you won't want to use.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming there's enough head height without measuring properly.
- Forgetting about stair position and the space it takes from the floor below.
- Cutting trusses or rafters without an engineer's design.
- Skimping on insulation and ventilation.
- Not planning storage for the eaves and the areas lost to sloping ceilings.
Our process
How your loft conversions job runs.
- Step 1
Site visit
Jake comes out, sees the job in person and talks through what you want, what's possible and anything that could affect the work.
- Step 2
Individual quote
Every job is different, so it's priced individually. Access, location and the layout and contents of your home all play a part, so you get an accurate quote rather than a guess.
- Step 3
Deposit and booking
A deposit secures your booking. The amount depends on the size and scale of the job.
- Step 4
The work
Our small team carries out the work, coordinating any trusted trades needed. Longer jobs use stage payments as the work progresses.
- Step 5
Completion and guarantee
We finish, check the work with you and hand over. Invoices are sent online and paid by bank transfer, and all our workmanship is guaranteed for 12 months.
What you get
The difference it makes.
Structure done right
Floor joists, roof timbers and dormers set out by a carpenter who trained on loft conversions.
Added space
An extra bedroom, office or en-suite without the upheaval of moving or losing garden space.
One point of contact
Carpentry by our team, with plumbing, electrics, plastering and decorating coordinated through trusted regular trades.
Storage built in
Eaves cupboards and fitted wardrobes can be built as part of the job to use every bit of space.
12-month guarantee
All our work comes with a 12-month workmanship guarantee. Materials or fixtures supplied by the client are not covered.
Stage payments
A deposit secures your booking, with stage payments as the work progresses. Invoices are sent online and paid by bank transfer.
Why JCK
Who'll be doing the work.
JCK Carpentry & Building is run by Jake Killen, a City & Guilds Level 3 qualified carpenter with a Diploma in Site Carpentry. Jake started an apprenticeship straight from school, spending three years on loft conversions, and went self-employed as soon as he qualified. He has since worked as a carpenter in Australia, fitted kitchens, built timber frame houses and worked as a groundworker with a house building company, alongside nearly every other trade on site.
That breadth is why your loft conversions project is in good hands. Jake understands how carpentry fits with groundworks, bricklaying, plumbing, electrics and plastering, so he can plan the work in the right order and spot problems before they become expensive.
Jake works with a small team of carpenters and a regular, trusted network of plumbers, electricians, plasterers and decorators. He uses the same subcontractors wherever possible, so the people in your home know each other's work and standards. You have one point of contact from the first site visit to the finished job.
Every job is priced individually after we've seen it in person, insured with £2 million public liability cover, and backed by a 12-month workmanship guarantee. We work across Exeter, Exmouth, Dawlish, Cullompton, Tiverton, Crediton, Teignmouth, Silverton and Honiton, Monday to Saturday.
Read Jake's storyIn detail
Types of loft conversion
The right type depends on your roof shape, head height and the space you need.
Roof window (Velux-style) conversions
The roof shape stays the same, with roof windows fitted into the slope. It's usually the least disruptive option and works where there's already good head height.
Dormer conversions
A dormer extends out from the roof slope to create full head height and more usable floor space. Rear dormers are popular because they add a lot of room and are less visible from the street.
Hip-to-gable conversions
On a hipped roof, the sloping end is built up into a vertical gable wall, making the loft much bigger. It's often combined with a rear dormer.
Floors, stairs and structure
Loft floors normally need new joists sized to the design, as ceiling joists aren't built to take the weight of a room. The staircase must meet regulations on head height and pitch, which affects where it goes.
Regulations and fire safety
Loft conversions need Building Regulations approval, covering structure, fire safety, stairs, insulation and ventilation. Some also need planning permission, particularly with dormers facing the road or in conservation areas. Check with your local planning authority early.
Insulation and comfort
The roof is where much of a house's heat is lost, so insulation in the walls, roof slope and floor matters for comfort all year. Ventilation is planned in to keep condensation under control.
Stairs and the floor below
The new staircase takes space from the floor below, usually on the landing or from a bedroom. Finding the best position is one of the first things we look at, because it shapes the whole conversion.
Making the most of the space
Sloping ceilings and eaves can leave awkward corners. Built-in storage, well-placed roof windows and a thoughtful layout make the room feel larger and more useful.
Related services
Loft Conversions near you
Good to know
Loft Conversions questions, answered.
Can't see your question? Call Jake on 07487 872620 or send an enquiry.
Is my loft suitable for a conversion?
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It depends on head height, roof structure and where the stairs can go. Jake will assess it at the site visit.
Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?
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Many fall under permitted development, but some don't, especially with front dormers or in conservation areas. Building Regulations approval is needed. Check with your local planning authority.
Can you add an en-suite in the loft?
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Often, yes. Plumbing is coordinated through our trusted plumbers, and we plan the layout around the drainage.
Can you build storage into the eaves?
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Yes. Bespoke eaves storage and fitted wardrobes are a natural part of a loft conversion.
Do you do loft conversions outside Exeter?
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Yes. We work across Exeter, Exmouth, Dawlish, Cullompton, Tiverton, Crediton, Teignmouth, Silverton and Honiton.
How much does loft conversions cost?
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Every job is different, so we price each one individually after seeing it in person. Things like access, location and the layout of your home all play a part, so we'd rather give you an accurate quote than a guess.
How long will the job take?
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It depends on the scope of the work, access and how much needs moving in the property. We'll talk through the likely timescale when we visit and price the job.
Is the work guaranteed?
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Yes. All our work comes with a 12-month workmanship guarantee. Any materials or fixtures supplied by the client are not covered under this guarantee.
How do payments work?
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We take a deposit to secure your booking, with stage payments on larger projects. All invoices are sent online and paid by bank transfer.
Are you insured?
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Yes. We hold £2 million public liability insurance.
What if my job is urgent?
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Call Jake directly on 07487 872620 (Mon–Sat, 7:30am–7:30pm) and he'll tell you honestly what he can do and when.
Turn your loft into the room you're missing
Tell us what you'd like to use the space for. Jake will look at the loft in person and give you an accurate quote.
Next step
Ready to talk about
your project?
Get in touch to arrange a free site visit and quote. Jake comes out, sees the job in person and gives you an accurate price, not a guess.
Prefer to talk? Call Jake07487 872620Mon–Sat, 7:30am–7:30pm