Side extensions across Durham
If you live in Durham and want more space without moving, a side extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in DurhamFrom £20,000 inc VAT
- PlanningSingle storey can be permitted development
- Build time10–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsDH1
Is a side extension right for your house?
- Houses where the rear garden is small
- Homes needing a utility, study or ground-floor bedroom
- Detached and semi-detached houses with side land
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.
Working in Durham
Postcode districts we cover around Durham include DH1. The same team covers Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Stanley (8 miles), Bishop Auckland (9 miles), Peterlee (10 miles), all within easy reach.
Just over the Tyne and Wear border, Houghton-le-Spring is about 6 miles away. The North East has many brick terraces, colliery-era housing and post-war semis, with rear extensions and kitchen extensions the most common requests.
Planning rules that apply in Durham
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.
Homes in conservation areas, national parks, National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Side extension prices in Durham
These guide figures apply our North East England adjustment (×0.91) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Durham: £1,590 to £3,090 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m × 5 m 12 m² | £20,000 – £24,500 | £22,000 – £29,000 | £28,000 – £37,500 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £28,500 – £34,500 | £33,500 – £43,500 | £42,500 – £56,000 |
| 3 m × 8 m 24 m² | £38,000 – £46,000 | £44,500 – £58,000 | £56,500 – £74,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
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 a side extension in Durham
Will my neighbours in Durham 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.
Do I need building regulations approval in Durham?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
How long does a side extension take to build in Durham?
On site, typically 10 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–14 weeks design and approvals.
How much does a side extension cost?
Our guide range is about £1,590 to £3,090 per m² including VAT, depending on specification, so a standard 18 m² single-storey side extension lands around £33,500 to £43,500 in Durham.
Can I build over my driveway?
Yes, if the foundations work and you keep any parking the council requires. Drains and services under drives are common, so we check before design.
Book a free site visit in Durham
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.