Harpenden orangery extensions, designed and built
If you live in Harpenden and want more space without moving, an orangery extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in HarpendenFrom £31,500 inc VAT
- PlanningSame limits as single-storey rear; glazing checked for building regs
- Build time10–16 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsAL5
Local to Harpenden
We cover Harpenden and the postcode districts AL5. The same team covers St Albans (5 miles), Hemel Hempstead (6 miles), Welwyn Garden City (6 miles), Hatfield (7 miles), all within easy reach.
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.
Planning rules that apply in Harpenden
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.
The planning position for a specific Harpenden address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
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).
What we take care of
- Aluminium or timber lantern and full-height glazing
- Opening into the main house
- Heating sized for the glass area
- Thermal calculations where glazing is generous
- Foundations, walls and insulated perimeter roof
- Design of piers, roof perimeter and lantern proportions
Guide prices for Harpenden
These guide figures apply our East of England adjustment (×1.06) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Harpenden: £2,540 to £4,770 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £31,500 – £38,500 | £35,500 – £45,000 | £43,000 – £57,500 |
| 4 m × 4 m 16 m² | £40,500 – £49,500 | £47,000 – £59,500 | £57,500 – £76,500 |
| 4 m × 6 m 24 m² | £61,000 – £74,000 | £71,000 – £89,500 | £86,000 – £114,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
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
We visit your Harpenden 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
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Orangery extension questions answered
Will my neighbours in Harpenden 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.
Who do I contract with for an orangery extension in Harpenden?
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 Harpenden?
Yes. We cover Harpenden and the surrounding parts of Hertfordshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Will an orangery be too hot in summer?
Not if it is designed with solar-control glass, a solid perimeter and ventilation. We size the lantern and opening vents with that in mind.
What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?
An orangery has a solid roof perimeter with a central lantern and more solid wall, so it is warmer and more like a room. A conservatory is mostly glass. Building regulations treat a heated orangery joined to the house as an extension.
Book a free site visit in Harpenden
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.