Annexe extensions in Braintree: design, approvals and build
If you live in Braintree and want more space without moving, an annexe extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in BraintreeFrom £58,000 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Build time16–24 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsCM7, CM77
Guide prices for Braintree
For Braintree we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.06, the factor we use for East of England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Braintree: £2,120 to £4,030 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio annexe 25 m² | £58,000 – £73,000 | £63,500 – £79,500 | £79,500 – £101,000 |
| One-bedroom annexe 35 m² | £74,000 – £93,000 | £89,000 – £111,500 | £111,000 – £141,000 |
| Larger annexe 45 m² | £95,000 – £119,500 | £114,000 – £143,500 | £143,000 – £181,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Do I need planning permission in Braintree?
In England an annexe that stays part of the household and connects to the house is assessed as an extension, but its size usually takes it beyond permitted development, so a householder application describing the ancillary use is the normal route.
The planning position for a specific Braintree address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
Building over or within 3 m of a public sewer needs the water company's consent, usually through a build-over agreement, before the foundations go in.
Building regulations approval is separate from planning. In England you can use the council's building control team or a registered building control approver; a full plans application gets the drawings checked before work starts, and the inspector signs the work off with a completion certificate.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
What is included
- Design for accessibility: level thresholds, wider doors, walk-in shower
- Planning application describing ancillary use
- Fire separation and alarms to building regulations
- Separate or shared heating and hot water
- Kitchenette, shower room and bedroom finish
Covering Braintree
Our survey diary covers Braintree, including CM7, CM77. We also work in nearby Witham (7 miles), Chelmsford (10 miles), Maldon (11 miles), Colchester (15 miles).
Sudbury, in Suffolk, is roughly 13 miles from Braintree and also on our list. Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
What happens next
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
We visit your Braintree home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
Once the layout is agreed, we deal with the council: planning permission or written confirmation that none is needed, plus building control.
Fixed written price
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Common questions in Braintree
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Braintree, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
How long does an annexe extension take to build in Braintree?
On site, typically 16 to 24 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 10–16 weeks design and approvals.
Do you cover all of Braintree?
Yes. We cover Braintree and the surrounding parts of Essex. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will an annexe affect council tax?
It can. Some annexes are assessed separately for council tax, with discounts or exemptions in some cases when occupied by a relative. Check with the Valuation Office Agency (England and Wales), your local assessor (Scotland) or Land & Property Services (Northern Ireland).
Can the annexe have its own front door?
Yes, many do, but it should still connect to the main house to stay clearly part of it.
Book a free site visit in Braintree
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.