Bedroom extensions across County Durham
We design and build bedroom extensions for houses in County Durham, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide priceFrom £23,500 inc VAT
- PlanningUsually a householder application
- Towns covered14
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Towns in County Durham
Will the council need to approve it?
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.
Homes in conservation areas, national parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
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.
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).
Extensions in and around County Durham
Towns we cover in County Durham include Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Billingham, Stanley, Consett. The North East has many brick terraces, colliery-era housing and post-war semis, with rear extensions and kitchen extensions the most common requests.
How much does a bedroom extension cost in County Durham?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for County Durham we use our North East England factor (×0.91). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in County Durham: £1,460 to £2,910 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| One bedroom 12 m² | £23,500 – £29,000 | £23,500 – £31,000 | £26,000 – £35,000 |
| Bedroom and en-suite 18 m² | £26,000 – £32,000 | £31,000 – £40,500 | £39,000 – £52,500 |
| Two rooms 30 m² | £43,500 – £53,500 | £51,500 – £67,000 | £65,500 – £87,500 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
What we take care of
- En-suite drainage and ventilation design
- Fire safety: escape windows and smoke alarms to building regulations
- Layout options: two-storey, over-garage or ground floor
- Planning drawings and application
- Heating extended to the new rooms
New bedrooms on an upper floor need an escape window or a protected route to the outside under the building regulations. We design the window sizes and stair route to meet that from the outset.
How the project works
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
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
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Common questions in County Durham
How long does a bedroom extension take to build in County Durham?
On site, typically 14 to 22 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–14 weeks design and approvals.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for County Durham, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do I need building regulations approval in County Durham?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
How much does a bedroom extension cost?
Our guide range is about £1,460 to £2,910 per m² including VAT. A bedroom with an en-suite of about 18 m² is typically £31,000 to £40,500 at standard spec, depending on whether it is part of a larger two-storey build.
Will a new bedroom need planning permission?
Upstairs additions usually do. Ground-floor rooms may fall within permitted development, depending on size and position.
Book a free site visit in County Durham
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.