Kitchen extensions in Bedford: design, approvals and build
Our design and build teams take on kitchen extensions in Bedford, from the first measured survey through planning and building control to the finished room.
- Guide price in BedfordFrom £28,500 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Build time10–16 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsMK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44
Will the council need to approve it?
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.
In a conservation area, national park, National Landscape, the Broads or a World Heritage Site the permitted development limits are tighter (no side or two-storey extensions without an application). Listed homes need listed building consent, and if permitted development rights have been removed, any extension needs an application.
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).
Covering Bedford
Site visits are available across Bedford (MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44). We also work in nearby Kempston (2 miles), Ampthill (8 miles), Leighton Buzzard (17 miles), Dunstable (17 miles).
Just over the Cambridgeshire border, St Neots is about 10 miles away. Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
Is a kitchen extension right for your house?
- Small or closed-off kitchens
- Homes being prepared for sale or a long-term stay
- Families who want cooking, dining and living together
How much does a kitchen extension cost in Bedford?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Bedford we use our East of England factor (×1.06). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Bedford: £1,910 to £3,710 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 5 m 15 m² | £28,500 – £33,500 | £33,000 – £42,500 | £42,000 – £56,000 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £38,000 – £45,000 | £44,500 – £56,500 | £56,000 – £74,500 |
| 4 m × 7 m 28 m² | £53,000 – £62,500 | £62,000 – £79,000 | £78,500 – £104,000 |
Build cost only. A mid-range kitchen, supplied and fitted, typically adds £9,000 to £20,000.
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
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
We visit your Bedford home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
Once the layout is agreed, we deal with the council: planning permission or written confirmation that none is needed, plus building control.
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.
Kitchen extension questions answered
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.
Will my neighbours in Bedford 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.
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.
Where should the island go?
Usually under the brightest part of the roof and away from the main walkway to the garden. We test two or three layouts on the plan before deciding.
How much does a kitchen extension cost?
For the extension itself our guide range is about £1,910 to £3,710 per m² including VAT. A standard 20 m² kitchen extension is typically around £44,500 to £56,500 in Bedford, plus the kitchen itself, which commonly adds £9,000 to £20,000 for a mid-range design.
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.