Conservatory replacement extensions in Rochester: design, approvals and build
Planning a conservatory replacement in Rochester? We survey the house, work out the planning route, draw the design and build it, so you deal with one team from the first visit to the completion certificate.
- Guide price in RochesterFrom £22,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Build time8–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsME1, ME2, ME4, ME7
What is included
- Opening widened into the house if wanted
- Removal and disposal of the old conservatory
- Insulated walls and roof to current regulations
- Glazing and doors to suit the new room
- New or upgraded foundations
A replacement is a chance to rethink the shape. Many conservatories are oddly proportioned; for a similar cost the new room can often be squarer, wider or better connected to the kitchen.
How much does a conservatory replacement cost in Rochester?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Rochester we use our South East England factor (×1.12). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Rochester: £2,070 to £3,920 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 3.3 m 10 m² | £22,000 – £27,000 | £24,000 – £31,000 | £30,500 – £39,500 |
| 3.5 m × 4 m 14 m² | £29,000 – £34,500 | £33,500 – £43,500 | £43,000 – £55,000 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £41,000 – £49,500 | £48,000 – £62,000 | £61,500 – £78,500 |
Includes removal of the old conservatory. Reusing existing foundations is only possible after investigation.
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Working in Rochester
Site visits are available across Rochester (ME1, ME2, ME4, ME7). The same team covers Chatham (1 mile), Strood (1 mile), Gillingham (2 miles), Gravesend (7 miles), all within easy reach.
In the South East, plenty of houses have already been extended once, which makes checking the remaining permitted development allowance an important early step.
Planning rules that apply in Rochester
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.
The planning position for a specific Rochester 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.
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).
From first visit to completion
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
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
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 people ask about conservatory replacements
Do I need building regulations approval in Rochester?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Do you cover all of Rochester?
Yes. We cover Rochester and the surrounding parts of Kent. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will my neighbours in Rochester be involved?
If a planning application or prior approval is needed, the council notifies neighbours. If the work is on or near a shared boundary, party wall notices may also be needed.
Is it worth replacing a conservatory with an extension?
If the conservatory is unusable for much of the year, usually yes. A solid extension gives a heated room that counts as proper living space. Our guide range is about £2,070 to £3,920 per m² including VAT, including removal.
Does replacing a conservatory need planning permission?
A solid replacement is treated as a new extension, so it must meet the permitted development limits or get planning permission, and it always needs building regulations approval.
Book a free site visit in Rochester
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.