Kitchen extensions in Harlow: design, approvals and build
From the first sketch to final sign-off, we plan and build kitchen extensions in Harlow and the surrounding Essex area.
- Guide price in HarlowFrom £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 districtsCM17, CM18, CM19, CM20
Who a kitchen extension suits
- Small or closed-off kitchens
- Homes being prepared for sale or a long-term stay
- Families who want cooking, dining and living together
We start with the working triangle and the island, then set the doors, glazing and roof lights around it. Getting this order right avoids the classic mistakes: a sink against a blank wall, glare on the hob or a fridge blocking the garden view.
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.
Before any drawing is finalised we check whether the house is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
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.
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).
What should I budget for a kitchen extension in Harlow?
For Harlow we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.06, the factor we use for East of England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Harlow: £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.
Extensions in and around Harlow
Site visits are available across Harlow (CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20). We also work in nearby Waltham Abbey (8 miles), Brentwood (14 miles), Chelmsford (16 miles), Billericay (17 miles).
Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire, is roughly 5 miles from Harlow and also on our list. Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
What happens next
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
A designer visits, takes measurements and photos, and discusses layouts, budget and timing with you.
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
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
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 Harlow
Do I need building regulations approval in Harlow?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Harlow, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do you cover all of Harlow?
Yes. We cover Harlow and the surrounding parts of Essex. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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 Harlow, plus the kitchen itself, which commonly adds £9,000 to £20,000 for a mid-range design.
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.
Book a free site visit in Harlow
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.