Extending your home in Colchester
From a small utility to a two-storey addition, we take on house extensions throughout Colchester, starting with a free visit and a planning check.
- Postcode districtsCO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO7
- Price regionEast of England (×1.06)
- Planning rulesEngland
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Planning rules in Colchester
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 extension can be permitted development if it is no more than 4 m high and no wider than half the width of the original house. Two-storey side extensions, and any side extension on designated land such as a conservation area, need a householder planning application.
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.
If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Guide prices for Colchester
Use these Colchester guide prices to sense-check a budget; the guide-price tool narrows them to your own size, and the site visit turns them into a written figure.
| Extension type | Example size | Standard spec (inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Wraparound extensions | 25 m² | £60,500 – £77,000 |
| Kitchen extensions | 20 m² | £44,500 – £56,500 |
| Orangery extensions | 16 m² | £47,000 – £59,500 |
| Double-storey extensions | 32 m² | £61,000 – £80,000 |
| Conservatory replacement extensions | 14 m² | £31,500 – £41,000 |
Where we work near Colchester
Our survey diary covers Colchester, including CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO7. Nearby, we also take on projects in Clacton-on-Sea (13 miles), Witham (13 miles), Maldon (15 miles), Braintree (15 miles), Harwich (17 miles). Sudbury, in Suffolk, is roughly 13 miles from Colchester and also on our list.
Which extension suits a Colchester home?
The East of England mixes market-town terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates. Clay soils are common in parts of the region, which can affect foundation design.
For many houses here, wraparound extensions, single-storey rear extensions or bungalow extensions gives the most useful space for the budget.
Every extension type in Colchester
- Utility and boot room extensions · from £14,500
- Wraparound extensions · from £38,000
- Conservatory replacement extensions · from £21,000
- Home office extensions · from £16,500
- Side return extensions · from £19,000
- Bungalow extensions · from £27,500
- Timber frame extensions · from £22,000
- Extension plans and drawings · from £1,250
- Double-storey extensions · from £40,000
- Pitched roof extensions · from £23,500
- Flat roof extensions · from £22,000
- Porch extensions · from £4,200
- Single-storey rear extensions · from £22,000
- Annexe extensions · from £58,000
- Kitchen extensions · from £28,500
- Extensions over a garage · from £25,000
- Side extensions · from £23,000
- Orangery extensions · from £31,500
- Bedroom extensions · from £27,500
- Building regulations for extensions · from £950
- Glass box extensions · from £31,500
- Planning permission for extensions · from £350
Free site visit
We visit your Colchester 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
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about extensions in Colchester
How much does an extension cost in Colchester?
Using our East of England factor (×1.06), a standard-spec single-storey extension of 20 m² is a guide £43,000 to £55,500 including VAT, and a 32 m² two-storey extension £61,000 to £80,000. Your written price follows the survey.
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.
How long does an extension take in Colchester?
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.
Do you cover all of Colchester?
Yes, including the surrounding parts of Essex. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Can I get a price before anyone visits?
Yes. This page shows guide prices adjusted for Colchester, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size and finish in about a minute.
Book a free site visit in Colchester
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.