Home Extension Advice Guide

This depends on size and specification. A guide of £2,500 per m2 for a shell finish is most common subject to design and spec chosen. Please remember there will be a design and spec available for every budget.

The rules are a little complex but here is a rough guide:

Terraced or Semi detached properties can build the full length of the rear of the house and project out from the house 3m under permitted development without planning permission.

Detached properties can also go the full length of the house and project away from the house 4m under permitted development without planning permission.

Side extensions and double storey extensions are a little more complex and usually require planning permission.

A traditional build extension takes 12 weeks on average (based on a single storey extension). A double storey extension takes 18 weeks on average. Using Cheshire & Abersoch new EcoShell German engineered extensions the build time is reduced to 5/6 weeks as the extension is built offsite then delivered in sections ready to build. This means you get your home back in record time with no mess and allows you to live at home easily during the build.

Yes is the simple answer. All extensions require building warrant approval and to obtain this you require a detailed set of building regulation plans. In most cases you also require a structural engineer report for any structural work such as opening up the current house wall into the extension.

This depends on the size and specification of the project. 

Typical costs: Single storey: £1,450, Double storey: £2,350.

Structural engineer is dependant on the project and how much structural work is required but should budget for in the region of £1,000.

Cheshire & Abersoch have their own Architectural team and offer this service free of charge.

Planning permission: £750 on average

Certificate of lawfulness: £150 on average

Building warrants are based on the project size and cost. Allow £1,250 for an average project.

Cheshire & Abersoch have offers on from time to time so ask your surveyor if you book one of our free design & survey quotes.

The simple answer is as many as you like until you feel happy with a builder.

A scope of works is the most important document you will receive. This document or email will outline exactly what the builder has quoted for and outlines exactly what the builder will be supplying and installing within the quotation. Please remember if it is not in the scope of works it will not be included.

All Builders should be supplying you with a full contract of what is included along with exact costs, stage payments and terms & conditions. If your builder does not provide this at the outset then walk away.

The average kitchen today is in the region of £10k with most quality kitchens with islands costing £13k-£15k. 

Cheshire & Abersoch work with many suppliers covering all budgets with huge savings available including discounted fitting.

Step 1. Request a home consultation to see if your ideas can actually be built and meet your expected budget. This should take no more than 30 minutes for the first appointment at your home and never sign or move forward at this first meeting.

Step 2. Receive an email outlining the first meeting with your builder and arrange a second home visit if you like the builder and their guide price.

Step 3. Second home visit. This should take about 1 hour and based on this meeting you should agree on the design and discuss start dates and timeframes for the build. Never sign at this meeting either, wait until you receive your scope of works email.

Step 4. Receive an email with the scope of works along with full terms & conditions based on the second home visit.

Step 5. Agree to proceed with the builder then sign contracts and pay deposit to secure a start date.

Step 6. Architect & Structural engineer visit to prepare designs and 3D renders to help visualise and alter the project until the design is agreed.

Step 7. The builder & architectural team will obtain the required permissions on the clients behalf.

Step 8. Start & complete the project with independent building control inspecting each stage and issuing a completion certificate on completion.

This is a FREE 30 minute design survey quote. During the survey we turn clients ideas and wishes into building regulation compliant designs. During the survey we mark out the size of the extension so you can visualise when the surveyor leaves. We will explain the full permission process and supply ideas that you may not have thought of that actually offer a more usable and cost effective space. We will go though all current offers and supply a guide price so you can discuss when the surveyor leaves. We then email a full quotation and breakdown within 24 hours of the survey visit along with availability of our architectural team and project start date availability. See the link below to request a design quote & offers.