Extension plans and drawings across Exeter
Need extension plans and drawings in Exeter? We survey the house, prepare what the council needs and deal with the officers until a decision is made.
- Guide price in ExeterFrom £1,200 inc VAT
- PlanningWe find the right route for you
- Timescale2–6 weeks for drawings
- Postcode districtsEX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX5
Do I need planning permission in Exeter?
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.
The planning position for a specific Exeter address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
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.
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).
Extensions in and around Exeter
Site visits are available across Exeter (EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX5, EX6). We also work in nearby Exmouth (9 miles), Tiverton (12 miles), Newton Abbot (14 miles), Torquay (18 miles).
In the South West, local stone, render and brick vary from town to town, so matching materials is a big part of designing an extension that looks right.
What it costs in Exeter
Fees below are our Exeter guide (×1.02, the South West England factor), including VAT. Council and building control fees are extra.
| Option | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Measured survey and planning drawings | £1,200 – £2,250 |
| Standard | Planning drawings plus building regulations drawings | £2,200 – £3,900 |
| Premium | Full pack with structural calculations and 3D visuals | £3,450 – £5,650 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
When it helps
- Homeowners at the very start of a project
- Anyone who wants fixed designs before getting build prices
- Projects that need a planning application or other approval
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
We produce the drawings and structural design, and manage the approvals so they are in place before work starts.
Fixed written price
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Common questions in Exeter
Will my neighbours in Exeter 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 long does this take for a Exeter home?
2–6 weeks for drawings, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Exeter, 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 much do extension plans cost?
Our design packs range from about £1,200 to £5,650 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 Exeter
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.