Timber clad barn conversion with tall glazed doors

Converting Rather Than Building From Scratch

The price of land, construction costs and sustainability standards are some of the reasons that clients choose to convert properties rather than build a house from scratch. Conversion is a good option for those facing such constraints who still long to have a place they call home. Over the years we have worked on a broad range of property conversions throughout the South East of England.

Conversions of barns, oast houses and period properties


Conversion Options Beyond Offices

Conversion options are not limited to offices. Other buildings can be professionally converted into residential use, such as churches, barns and even old railway stations.

Unlike a redevelopment, which involves demolishing the previous property, a conversion usually retains the building's original features, particularly the exterior.

Planning and Property Value

Depending on the size of the conversion, you may not need planning permission, which greatly reduces the duration and potential cost of the project.

If you are looking to convert an office or a commercial building into a residential dwelling, the value of the property could greatly appreciate should you choose to sell it at a later date, particularly if it commands a strategic location in a central business district or a major town or city, close to amenities and in a highly accessible area.

Picture Hanging

Custom Shelf Building

Shelf Installation

Wall Hanging Installation

Fairy Light Hanging

Art Installation

Shelf Removal

Television Wall Installation

Floating Shelf Installation

Wall Shelf Fitting

Mirror Hanging

Curtain Pole Fitting

Blind Fitting

Wall Cabinet Installation

Coat Hook and Rail Fitting

Heavy Item Wall Fixing

Planning drawings, building regulations and listed building consent

Period Properties, Barns and Oast Houses

Our residential work includes period and modern properties, a large number of listed buildings, barns and oast houses, and the conversion of period properties into flats.

Where a building is listed, we can prepare the application for listed building consent alongside the conversion design.


Modern house with timber cladding and a cantilevered first floor

Shipping Containers and Flexible Housing

Recently, even shipping containers have been converted into residential houses, and they are one of the most flexible housing solutions on the market.

As long as the original building is approved by the government for housing use, we will work closely with you to offer relevant advice, possible conversion designs and the estimated cost of the entire project. Feel free to ask about our property conversion services for your individual needs.

Discuss Your Property Conversion

William Bates, a RIBA Chartered Architect, works personally on each conversion, from the initial consultation and site visit through design, planning drawings and building regulations to completion. To discuss your plans, call 01435 812973 or use the contact form to forward your enquiry.

More of Our Architectural Services

Residential Architecture

New homes, extensions, conversions and renovations, designed around the way you live.

Commercial Architecture

Retail, commercial, leisure and public buildings, from first ideas to completion.

Expert Witness Reports

Independent expert reports on building disputes, particularly alleged professional negligence.

Architect Heathfield provides careful shelving and wall hanging services for homes and businesses. Our work includes shelf fitting, picture and mirror hanging, television mounting, curtain pole fitting, blind fitting, wall cabinet installation and heavy item fixing. We also build bespoke shelves, remove old fittings and complete each installation securely, neatly and with suitable fixings.

Architect Heathfield designs property conversions across Sussex, Kent, Surrey and London, turning offices, commercial buildings, churches, barns and period properties into homes and flats. We also handle conversions and extensions of non-dwelling properties, with planning applications, building regulations and project management from inception to completion.