Extending your home in Reading
Planning an extension in Reading? Compare extension types, see guide prices adjusted for Reading and book a free site visit.
- Postcode districtsRG1, RG2, RG4, RG5, RG6, RG30
- Price regionSouth East England (×1.12)
- Planning rulesEngland
- Site visitFree, no obligation
What works best for Reading houses?
Homes across the South East range from Victorian terraces in the older town centres to large detached houses on the edges, so the right extension type varies street by street.
The types we would usually look at first for a home in Reading are wraparound extensions, orangery extensions and double-storey extensions, depending on the garden and how the house is laid out.
Popular extension prices in Reading
Every figure below is a guide for Reading, adjusted for South East England build costs (×1.12) and including VAT. Design and council fees are shown separately on each page.
| Extension type | Example size | Standard spec (inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Orangery extensions | 16 m² | £50,000 – £63,000 |
| Single-storey rear extensions | 20 m² | £45,500 – £58,500 |
| Wraparound extensions | 25 m² | £64,000 – £81,500 |
| Conservatory replacement extensions | 14 m² | £33,500 – £43,500 |
| Extensions over a garage | 12 m² | £28,000 – £36,500 |
Approvals for an extension in Reading
In England a single-storey rear extension can usually go up to 3 m beyond the original rear wall of a semi-detached or terraced house, or 4 m on a detached house, without a planning application, provided it is no more than 4 m high, keeps eaves to 3 m within 2 m of a boundary and, with other buildings, covers no more than half the land around the original house. The larger home extension prior approval scheme raises those depths to 6 m and 8 m, with neighbours notified and a 42-day decision.
In England a single-storey side return infill is often permitted development if it stays within the height limits and is no wider than half the width of the original house. Conservation areas, listed buildings and flats always need an application, and the boundary wall usually brings in the Party Wall Act.
In a conservation area, national park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site the permitted development limits are tighter (no side or two-storey extensions without an application). Listed homes need listed building consent, and if permitted development rights have been removed, any extension needs an application.
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).
Covering Reading and nearby
Site visits are available across Reading (RG1, RG2, RG4, RG5, RG6, RG30). The same team covers Earley (3 miles), Wokingham (7 miles), Crowthorne (10 miles), Bracknell (10 miles), Sandhurst (11 miles), all within easy reach. Henley-on-Thames, in Oxfordshire, is roughly 6 miles from Reading and also on our list.
Extension types and starting prices
- Home office extensions · from £17,500
- Building regulations for extensions · from £1,000
- Flat roof extensions · from £23,500
- Utility and boot room extensions · from £15,500
- Annexe extensions · from £61,500
- Glass box extensions · from £33,500
- Conservatory replacement extensions · from £22,000
- Side return extensions · from £20,000
- Wraparound extensions · from £40,000
- Single-storey rear extensions · from £23,500
- Kitchen extensions · from £30,000
- Timber frame extensions · from £23,500
- Porch extensions · from £4,450
- Extension plans and drawings · from £1,300
- Planning permission for extensions · from £350
- Pitched roof extensions · from £24,500
- Bedroom extensions · from £29,000
- Orangery extensions · from £33,500
- Extensions over a garage · from £26,500
- Double-storey extensions · from £42,500
- Side extensions · from £24,500
- Bungalow extensions · from £29,000
Free site visit
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Questions about extensions in Reading
How much does an extension cost in Reading?
Using our South East England factor (×1.12), a standard-spec single-storey extension of 20 m² is a guide £45,500 to £58,500 including VAT, and a 32 m² two-storey extension £64,500 to £84,500. Your written price follows the survey.
Can I get a price before anyone visits?
Yes. This page shows guide prices adjusted for Reading, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size and finish in about a minute.
Will my neighbours need to be told?
If you apply for planning or prior approval the council notifies them, and in England party wall notices may be needed for work near a shared boundary.
How long does an extension take in Reading?
Usually 2 to 4 months of design and approvals, then 10 to 16 weeks on site for a single-storey extension or 16 to 24 weeks for two storeys.
Who do I contract with?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
Book a free site visit in Reading
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.