Extension plans and drawings across Durham
We prepare extension plans and drawings for homes in Durham, as a stand-alone service or as the first stage of a design and build project.
- Guide price in DurhamFrom £1,050 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale2–6 weeks for drawings
- Postcode districtsDH1
Fees in Durham
These are guide fees for Durham, adjusted for North East England (×0.91) and including VAT. Council application and inspection fees are paid separately.
| Option | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Measured survey and planning drawings | £1,050 – £2,050 |
| Standard | Planning drawings plus building regulations drawings | £2,000 – £3,500 |
| Premium | Full pack with structural calculations and 3D visuals | £3,050 – £5,050 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Local to Durham
Our survey diary covers Durham, including DH1. We also work in nearby Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Stanley (8 miles), Bishop Auckland (9 miles), Peterlee (10 miles).
Houghton-le-Spring, in Tyne and Wear, is roughly 6 miles from Durham and also on our list. Across the North East, houses often have rear yards or modest gardens, so compact, well-lit single-storey extensions make the biggest difference.
What is included
- Two or three layout options to compare
- Structural calculations from an engineer (full pack)
- Building regulations drawings and specification
- Planning drawings: existing and proposed plans and elevations, site and location plans
- 3D views to check the look and the light (full pack)
- Measured survey of the house and garden
The most expensive changes are the ones made after the steel is ordered. A good design stage settles layout, heights, glazing and services on paper, so the build price is firm.
Planning rules that apply in Durham
In England the main routes are permitted development (ideally confirmed with a lawful development certificate, £274), larger home extension prior approval (£249, 42 days) and a householder planning application (£548, normally 8 weeks), with council fees as set from 1 April 2026.
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.
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).
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
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
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Common questions in Durham
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for 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.
How long does this take for a Durham home?
2–6 weeks for drawings, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
Will my neighbours in Durham 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.
How much do extension plans cost?
Our design packs range from about £1,050 to £5,050 including VAT, from planning drawings only to a full pack with building regulations drawings, structural calculations and 3D views. Council fees are separate.
Do I need an architect?
Not necessarily. For most extensions an experienced designer or architectural technologist is enough. For listed buildings or complex sites an architect’s input can help.
Book a free site visit in 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.