Building regulations for extensions across Bedford
Need building regulations for extensions in Bedford? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in BedfordFrom £950 inc VAT
- Approval routeFull plans or building notice
- Timescale2–5 weeks for drawings
- Postcode districtsMK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44
Working in Bedford
Across MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44, we can visit, measure and advise. We also work in nearby Kempston (2 miles), Ampthill (8 miles), Leighton Buzzard (17 miles), Dunstable (17 miles).
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.
Fees in Bedford
These are guide fees for Bedford, adjusted for East of England (×1.06) and including VAT. Council application and inspection fees are paid separately.
| Option | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Building regulations drawings for a simple single-storey extension | £950 – £1,950 |
| Standard | Drawings plus structural calculations | £1,350 – £2,800 |
| Premium | Complex or two-storey pack with energy calculations | £2,300 – £4,050 |
Our design fee only. Building control charges are set by your council (or, in England and Wales, a registered building control approver) and quoted separately.
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Included in a typical project
- Energy and glazing checks, including whole-house calculations if needed
- Submission to the council or a registered building control approver
- Structural calculations for beams, lintels and foundations
- Inspection bookings throughout the build
- Completion certificate on sign-off
- Building regulations drawings and written specification
Building regulations approval and planning permission are separate. A design can have planning consent and still need changes to meet the regulations, which is why we draw for both together.
Planning rules that apply in Bedford
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.
The planning position for a specific Bedford address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
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).
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
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.
Common questions in Bedford
Do I need building regulations approval in Bedford?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Do you cover all of Bedford?
Yes. We cover Bedford and the surrounding parts of Bedfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Bedford, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Full plans or building notice?
A full plans application gets the drawings checked before work starts, which we usually recommend for extensions. A building notice is quicker to submit but carries more risk if something needs changing on site.
Who are building control?
Either your local council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Both inspect the work and issue the completion certificate.
Book a free site visit in Bedford
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.