Extensions over a garage in Bedford
If you live in Bedford and want more space without moving, an over-garage extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in BedfordFrom £25,000 inc VAT
- PlanningHouseholder application needed
- Build time12–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsMK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44
What we take care of
- Insulation, electrics, heating and finish
- Strengthening or rebuilding the garage walls if needed
- Opening into the existing first floor
- Structural survey of garage walls and foundations
- New floor structure, walls and roof
Over-garage extension prices in Bedford
Prices below are for Bedford, 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 Bedford: £1,910 to £3,600 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over a single garage 12 m² | £25,000 – £31,500 | £26,500 – £34,500 | £34,000 – £43,500 |
| Over a large single garage 16 m² | £30,500 – £37,500 | £35,500 – £46,000 | £45,500 – £58,000 |
| Over a double garage 24 m² | £45,500 – £56,000 | £53,000 – £69,000 | £68,500 – £86,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Extensions in and around Bedford
Our survey diary covers Bedford, including MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44. Nearby, we also take on projects in Kempston (2 miles), Ampthill (8 miles), Leighton Buzzard (17 miles), Dunstable (17 miles).
St Neots, in Cambridgeshire, is roughly 10 miles from Bedford 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.
Planning rules that apply in Bedford
In England any side extension over one storey, including a room built over a side garage, needs a householder planning application. The fee is £548 from 1 April 2026 and councils aim to decide within 8 weeks.
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).
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
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
The price is fixed in writing once the design is settled, with a clear programme and payment stages.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Your questions about an over-garage extension in Bedford
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.
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.
How long does an over-garage extension take to build in Bedford?
On site, typically 12 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–14 weeks design and approvals.
Does building over a garage need planning permission?
In England and the rest of the UK, adding a storey over a side garage almost always needs a planning application, because two-storey side extensions are outside permitted development.
Can I keep using the garage during the build?
Usually not for parking. The garage roof is removed and the space below is used for access and props for part of the build.
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.