Side extensions in Dorset
Thinking about a side extension for your Dorset home? Start with a free site visit: we measure up, check what the council will allow and give you honest guide figures on the day.
- Guide priceFrom £22,000 inc VAT
- PlanningSingle storey can be permitted development
- Towns covered9
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Towns in Dorset
What we take care of
- Survey, design and street-view drawings
- New openings through the side wall
- Windows, doors and finishes to match
- Planning route checked or application made
- Foundations near boundaries and any drains
- Structure, roof tied into the house
Councils often prefer side extensions to sit slightly back from the front of the house with a lower roof, so the original building still reads clearly. We design to those principles from the start to avoid redesigns.
Will the council need to approve it?
In England a single-storey side extension can be permitted development if it is no more than 4 m high and no wider than half the width of the original house. Two-storey side extensions, and any side extension on designated land such as a conservation area, need a householder planning application.
The planning position for a specific Dorset 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).
How much does a side extension cost in Dorset?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Dorset we use our South West England factor (×1.02). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Dorset: £1,780 to £3,470 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m × 5 m 12 m² | £22,000 – £27,000 | £25,000 – £32,500 | £31,500 – £42,000 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £32,000 – £39,000 | £37,500 – £49,000 | £47,500 – £62,500 |
| 3 m × 8 m 24 m² | £42,500 – £51,500 | £50,000 – £65,000 | £63,500 – £83,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Working in Dorset
Towns we cover in Dorset include Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Christchurch, Dorchester, Wimborne Minster, Bridport, Ferndown. South West homes range from terraced streets in the cities to stone cottages and bungalows in the countryside, and conservation areas are common in historic centres.
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
We visit your Dorset home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
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.
Side extension questions answered
Do I need building regulations approval in Dorset?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Who do I contract with for a side extension in Dorset?
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.
How long does a side extension take to build in Dorset?
On site, typically 10 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–14 weeks design and approvals.
How close to the boundary can I build?
It depends on height. In England, within 2 m of a boundary the eaves must not exceed 3 m under permitted development. Building on the boundary is possible but brings party wall and maintenance access issues we plan for.
Can I build a side extension without planning permission?
In England a single-storey side extension can be permitted development if it is no more than 4 m high and no wider than half the width of the original house. Two-storey side extensions, and any side extension on designated land such as a conservation area, need a planning application.
Book a free site visit in Dorset
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.