The answer is no, for most house extensions. Permitted Development Rights allows you to build extensions without planning permission as long as you follow the guidelines.
From its eponymous garden to affluent suburban landmarks, Kew is a residential haven for quiet, scenic living. A property in Kew is a valuable asset, one that will continue to increase in its appeal. Living in one should be an equally attractive prospect, and nothing adds more attraction to a property than space. House extensions Kew can make your property proportions bigger for a more comfortable home life marked by your style and taste. Our exceptional quality designs and builds seamlessly amalgamate new space additions to your home to enhance appearance and functionality. What you may think is impossible can be accomplished with our space-saving and creative designs conceived by specialist architects.
- Your home is not on designated land or listed.
- Extensions (including previous ones) can only cover 50% of the area around the original house.
- According to new PD guidelines, single-storey Rear extensions can now extend up to 8m (previously 4m) from the property’s original rear wall of a detached house and 6m (previously 3m) of a semi-detached or terraced property.
- Double-storey extensions cannot extend beyond the back wall of the original house by more than 3m or be within 7m of a boundary opposite the rear wall.
- A single-storey extension should be no higher than 4m.
- The eaves and ridge of the extension should be lower than the existing ones.
We offer a wide variety of property extensions, and here are some of the basic types.
The simple Side Return
It is a classic alteration employed to improve terraced and semi-detached homes. If done right, the resulting transformation can create a contemporary floor plan ideal for a larger kitchen/dining area. The Side Return finds its space by extending onto the garden path along the boundary wall. The new volume joins the main house by widening the kitchen area by removing the original side wall and creating a new party wall. With skylights and glass doors, you can brighten up the enclosed space.
Rear Extension
When there is no option for a Side extension, homeowners usually opt for a Rear Extension. It extends the rear of the house onto the back garden across the whole width of the property. As the extension faces the garden, the new living space receives natural light and integrates with the outdoors. It forms a more open space than a Side Return and more flexible in usability.
Wraparound Extension
When a Side extension and a Rear extension join together, they form a Wraparound extension that wraps around the house in an L shape. It gives you more opportunity to expand your home square footage with the addition of multiple rooms or one big open-plan area. You can extend the kitchen/dining area in the rear and add a utility room or a bathroom on the side.
Double-storey extension
While single-storey side and rear extensions are the most straightforward home extension types, double-storey side and rear extensions add twice the space for the same foundation and roof cost.
When it is difficult to match the new addition to the existing style or exterior of the home, go for a contrasting but complementary style. You can minimise the use of bricks and enlarge windows and doors with a glaze finish and frames matching the original. Use the same mortar colour and brick bond if you are using the same material, and try to match the roof pitch if you want a more seamless look.
Create a new feature to give its own identity to the new space, such as a fireplace, kitchen island, intricate lights, or a distinctive staircase if it is a double-storey extension.
When you consider an extension for your home, do not forget the possibility of loft conversions. The home improvement advantage of period homes is their large lofts that are ideal for conversions.
We are a specialist home remodelling company for Victorian and 1930s homes in London and surrounding areas. Our home extension service is one of the UK’s most comprehensive and design-dominant. We offer easy payment plans for your dream project and free consultation. The Design phase and Build phase of our projects have separate contracts, so you will only need to commit to one stage at a time. Our experienced team undertakes all planning permission applications, sparing you the hassle of paperwork. You also receive a project manager to oversee work from start to finish.
Extensions can start from £1,000–£2,000/m². A single-story Side Return costs £35K, a Rear extension £40K, and a Wraparound extension £55K and more. A double-story extension can start costing from £75K.
Get a free no-obligation itemised quote from Good Design & Build today to get the services of an expert building team.
How we deliver projects
Our process is simple and divided into two distinct phases with separate contracts: Design and Build. As a client you only commit to one phase at a time depending on what stage of the process you are in. Each phase consists of three stages as described below.
1. Design
This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.
2. Planning
At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.
3. Technical
Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.
4. Pre-build
90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.
5. Build
One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.
6. Handover
As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.
This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.
At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.
Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.
90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.
One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.
As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.
Featured Projects
Harlesden
Sellons Ave NW10 4HJ
The project included creating a master bedroom in the loft with an adjoining terrace.
Learn more
Fulham
Orbain Road SW6 7JZ
This project was completed in 2023 and the approximate budget was £101,000.
Learn more
Lambeth
Hetherington Road SW4
We completed this stunning project for our client Angus in Lambeth.
Learn more
Teddington
Station Road SW4 7PA
We completed this exciting project for our clients on Station Road, a quaint residential area in the heart of Teddington.
Learn more
Leyton
Windsor Road E10
We completed this kitchen extension on Windsor Road, a charming residential street nestled in the heart of Leyton.
Learn more
Harlesden
Sellons Ave NW10 4HJ
The project included creating a master bedroom in the loft with an adjoining terrace.
Learn more
Fulham
Orbain Road SW6 7JZ
This project was completed in 2023 and the approximate budget was £101,000.
Learn more
Lambeth
Hetherington Road SW4
We completed this stunning project for our client Angus in Lambeth.
Learn more
Teddington
Station Road SW4 7PA
We completed this exciting project for our clients on Station Road, a quaint residential area in the heart of Teddington.
Learn more
Leyton
Windsor Road E10
We completed this kitchen extension on Windsor Road, a charming residential street nestled in the heart of Leyton.
Learn more
What Our Clients Say
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Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.
Get StartedBuild a Quote!
Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.
Get Started