Kitchen extensions in St Albans: design, approvals and build
We design and build kitchen extensions for houses in St Albans, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide price in St AlbansFrom £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 districtsAL1, AL2, AL3, AL4
Working in St Albans
Postcode districts we cover around St Albans include AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4. Neighbouring towns we cover include Harpenden (5 miles), Hatfield (5 miles), Hemel Hempstead (5 miles), Welwyn Garden City (6 miles).
The East of England mixes market-town terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates. Clay soils are common in parts of the region, which can affect foundation design.
Is a kitchen extension right for your house?
- Families who want cooking, dining and living together
- Homes being prepared for sale or a long-term stay
- Small or closed-off kitchens
Planning and approvals in St Albans
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.
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 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).
How much does a kitchen extension cost in St Albans?
Prices below are for St Albans, using the East of England factor of ×1.06. They are guide ranges including VAT for the build only, not a quote.
Typical rates in St Albans: £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.
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
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.
Questions people ask about kitchen extensions
Who do I contract with for a kitchen extension in St Albans?
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.
Do you cover all of St Albans?
Yes. We cover St Albans and the surrounding parts of Hertfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Do I need building regulations approval in St Albans?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Can you fit a kitchen I buy elsewhere?
Yes. We can fit it or work with your supplier’s fitters. We need the layout early so that drains, services and lighting are in the right place.
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 St Albans
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.