Home extensions in Smethwick

Planning rules in Smethwick

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 two-storey rear extension is permitted development only if it projects no more than 3 m from the original rear wall, sits at least 7 m from the rear boundary, matches the roof pitch and uses obscure, non-opening side windows upstairs. Most two-storey extensions therefore go through a householder planning application, which costs £548 from 1 April 2026 and normally takes about 8 weeks.

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 Smethwick

Use these Smethwick 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.

Areas we cover around Smethwick

Our survey diary covers Smethwick, including B16, B18, B21, B66, B67, B68. The same team covers West Bromwich (2 miles), Birmingham (3 miles), Halesowen (5 miles), Wednesbury (5 miles), Dudley (5 miles), all within easy reach. Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire, is roughly 12 miles from Smethwick and also on our list.

• West Bromwich
• Birmingham
• Halesowen
• Wednesbury
• Dudley

Which extension suits a Smethwick home?

The West Midlands has a large stock of 1930s and post-war semi-detached houses, which are well suited to rear, side and over-garage extensions, plus Victorian terraces in the older inner areas.

The types we would usually look at first for a home in Smethwick are extensions over a garage, single-storey rear extensions and double-storey extensions, depending on the garden and how the house is laid out.