Extensions

Extending is a popular way to add space to avoid having to move house. Children can stay in the same schools and you don’t have to adjust to living in a new neighbourhood. Cost of moving and a weak housing market due to Brexit and surrounding uncertainty are further reasons to stay put.

Doing the work yourself is becoming more popular for owner occupiers. People don’t want to pay the developers profit margin in addition to the cost of the work and move into a white box that will often require additional work to add that personal touch, dependant on one’s taste. We often have clients calling in to change a kitchen on a property they have just purchased that has been freshly refurbished simply because they don’t like the style.

Many builders such as ourselves now offer a complete package of design and build with dedicated project manager to oversee the build and provide close liaison with the owner to achieve the desired result.

Permitted development rules have relaxed the planning process for owners to encourage building. A rear extension of up to 3m doesn’t require permission and you can extend up to 6m on a terraced or semi-detached property or up to 8m on a detached premises subject to the prior approval process. Side extensions also don’t require permission as long as they are less than half the width of the original house. However if you wish to connect the two and build a wrap around extension you will require full planning permission. More information on the planning process can be found here. Call our experienced team today on 020 3844 5829 or contact us using our handy form to find out more.