A house extension is often the simplest way to make a London home work better. Whether you need a larger kitchen, a family room or an extra bedroom, a well-planned extension can give you the room without the upheaval of moving.
Types of house extension we build
- Single-storey rear extensions
- Side-return extensions for terraced and semi-detached houses
- Wrap-around extensions that combine a rear and side addition
- Double-storey extensions for extra bedrooms and bathrooms
- Kitchen and family-room extensions with new openings into the existing house
How a house extension project runs
- You tell us what you would like to achieve and we talk it through.
- We look at the property, discuss the options and give you a written quote.
- Before work starts we agree what is being built and how the work will be organised.
- Groundworks, structure, roof, windows and internal finishes are carried out in a sensible order, with the work checked as it goes.
- We walk you through the finished extension before handover.
Planning permission and Building Regulations for extensions
Some extensions can be built under permitted development rights and others need planning permission. Almost every extension needs Building Regulations approval, and work to a wall you share with a neighbour may fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Rules differ between properties and boroughs, so we will explain what is likely to apply to your project and what you should confirm with your local authority.
The detail behind this is in our guides to rear extension permitted development limits and Building Regulations for a house extension. If you want written confirmation that no planning permission is needed, a lawful development certificate provides it.
Structure, drainage and your neighbours
Opening up the back of a house usually involves steel beams, which need a structural engineer’s design. Building up to a shared boundary may need a party wall notice. For narrow terraced and semi-detached houses, read about side-return extensions, and for the options in general, house extension types.
Cost, timing and preparing for a quote
The price of an extension depends on its size, structure, finish and access rather than one headline figure. Our guides explain what affects the cost of a house extension and how long an extension takes. To get a quote you can compare, see what to have ready before you ask a builder for a quote.
Questions about house extensions
How do I find out for certain whether I need planning permission?
Your local planning authority has the final say, so the certain route is to apply to them for a Lawful Development Certificate, which formally confirms whether a project needs permission. We can also give you our view once we have seen the property and the plans.
Can I stay in the house while the work is done?
Often you can, but it depends on the size of the project and how much of the house is affected. Tell us how you live in the house and we will plan the order of work around it.
Will my neighbours be affected?
Building on or near a boundary, or cutting into a shared wall, can mean giving your neighbour notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. We will tell you if it is likely to apply.
Talk to us about your extension
Tell us about your plans and we will come back to you. Request a quote or ask for a site visit and we will be in touch.