Glass box extensions in Dorchester
Dorchester homeowners can use us for the whole glass extension project: survey, design, planning or permitted development checks, building regulations and the build itself.
- Guide price in DorchesterFrom £30,500 inc VAT
- PlanningSame limits as single-storey rear; glazing checked for building regs
- Build time10–16 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsDT1
Planning rules that apply in Dorchester
In England a glazed or orangery-style extension follows the same size limits as any single-storey rear extension: 3 m or 4 m without an application, or up to 6 m and 8 m through prior approval. Building regulations limit glazing to about a quarter of the new floor area plus the openings it replaces, unless whole-house calculations show the design still performs.
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Is a glass extension right for your house?
- Small infill spaces and side returns
- Garden-facing dining rooms
- Period and listed-style houses where a light touch is wanted
Solar gain is the risk. We specify solar-control glass, plan for opening vents or sliding panels, and avoid fully glazed roofs on south-facing extensions unless shading is included.
Working in Dorchester
Site visits are available across Dorchester (DT1). Neighbouring towns we cover include Weymouth (7 miles), Bridport (15 miles), Poole (20 miles), Wimborne Minster (22 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.
Guide prices for Dorchester
For Dorchester we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.02, the factor we use for South West England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Dorchester: £3,060 to £5,920 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m × 4 m 8 m² | £30,500 – £37,000 | £30,500 – £38,500 | £35,000 – £47,500 |
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £36,500 – £44,500 | £42,500 – £54,000 | £52,500 – £71,000 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £55,000 – £66,500 | £64,000 – £81,000 | £78,500 – £106,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Our process, step by step
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
We visit your Dorchester home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
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
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
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 Dorchester
Do you cover all of Dorchester?
Yes. We cover Dorchester and the surrounding parts of Dorset. 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 Dorchester, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Who do I contract with for a glass extension in Dorchester?
Your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, which designs and manages the project and the build teams who carry it out.
How much does a glass extension cost?
Our guide range is about £3,060 to £5,920 per m² including VAT, because structural glass is made to order. A 12 m² standard-spec glass extension is typically £42,500 to £54,000 in Dorchester.
Are glass extensions cold in winter?
Modern double or triple glazing with warm-edge spacers and underfloor heating keeps them comfortable. They are not as warm as a solid room, and we explain the trade-off honestly.
Book a free site visit in Dorchester
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.