Extensions over a garage in Carrickfergus: design, approvals and build
We design and build over-garage extensions for houses in Carrickfergus, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide price in CarrickfergusFrom £20,500 inc VAT
- PlanningPermission from the council needed
- Build time12–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsBT38
Planning and approvals in Carrickfergus
In Northern Ireland the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 lets some single-storey rear extensions go ahead without planning permission, up to 3 m on a semi-detached or terraced house and 4 m on a detached house, within height and boundary limits. Larger, side and two-storey extensions normally need planning permission from the council, and building control approval is separate.
The planning position for a specific Carrickfergus address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
Northern Ireland has no Party Wall Act. Where work is on or close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
Building close to a public sewer needs the agreement of NI Water, which we check during design.
Applications are decided by your council, which handles local planning in Northern Ireland.
Working in Carrickfergus
We cover Carrickfergus and the postcode districts BT38. The same team covers Newtownabbey (6 miles), Larne (9 miles), Belfast (10 miles), Castlereagh (10 miles), all within easy reach.
In Northern Ireland, extension projects follow the NI planning rules and council building control, which we account for from the first survey.
Is an over-garage extension right for your house?
- Homes where the landing can connect to the new room
- Detached and link-detached houses with an attached garage
- Families needing a bedroom without losing garden
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.
How much does an over-garage extension cost in Carrickfergus?
For Carrickfergus we adjust our national guide rates by ×0.86, the factor we use for Northern Ireland. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Carrickfergus: £1,550 to £2,920 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over a single garage 12 m² | £20,500 – £25,500 | £21,500 – £28,000 | £27,500 – £35,500 |
| Over a large single garage 16 m² | £24,500 – £30,500 | £28,500 – £37,500 | £37,000 – £47,000 |
| Over a double garage 24 m² | £37,000 – £45,500 | £43,000 – £56,000 | £55,500 – £70,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Our process, step by step
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
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
How long does an over-garage extension take to build in Carrickfergus?
On site, typically 12 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 8–14 weeks design and approvals.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Carrickfergus, 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 Carrickfergus?
Yes. We cover Carrickfergus and the surrounding parts of County Antrim. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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.
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 Carrickfergus
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.