Extensions over a garage for homes in Bournemouth
If you live in Bournemouth 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 BournemouthFrom £24,000 inc VAT
- PlanningHouseholder application needed
- Build time12–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsBH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH8

Local to Bournemouth
Our survey diary covers Bournemouth, including BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH8, BH13. The same team covers Christchurch (4 miles), Poole (5 miles), Ferndown (6 miles), Wimborne Minster (8 miles), all within easy reach.
Just over the Hampshire border, New Milton is about 10 miles away. In the South West, local stone, render and brick vary from town to town, so matching materials is a big part of designing an extension that looks right.
Is an over-garage extension right for your house?
- Homes where the landing can connect to the new room
- Families needing a bedroom without losing garden
- Detached and link-detached houses with an attached garage
Fitting the new room to the existing landing is the planning puzzle inside the house. We design the connection first, then the roof, so the extension does not end up with awkward steps or a corridor through a bedroom.
Do I need planning permission in Bournemouth?
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.
The planning position for a specific Bournemouth address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
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).
Guide prices for Bournemouth
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Bournemouth we use our South West England factor (×1.02). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Bournemouth: £1,840 to £3,470 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over a single garage 12 m² | £24,000 – £30,000 | £25,500 – £33,500 | £33,000 – £42,000 |
| Over a large single garage 16 m² | £29,000 – £36,000 | £34,000 – £44,500 | £44,000 – £55,500 |
| Over a double garage 24 m² | £44,000 – £54,000 | £51,000 – £66,500 | £66,000 – £83,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
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
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.
Over-garage extension questions answered
Will my neighbours in Bournemouth 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.
How long does an over-garage extension take to build in Bournemouth?
On site, typically 12 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–14 weeks design and approvals.
Do you cover all of Bournemouth?
Yes. We cover Bournemouth and the surrounding parts of Dorset. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How much does a room over a garage cost?
Our guide range is about £1,840 to £3,470 per m² including VAT. A single-garage room of about 12 m² usually costs £25,500 to £33,500 at standard spec, more if the garage needs rebuilding.
Can my garage take the weight of a room on top?
Some can and some cannot. Many garages have a single-skin wall or shallow foundations. Our structural engineer checks this before we give a fixed price.
Book a free site visit in Bournemouth
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.