Side extensions in Earley
Earley homeowners can use us for the whole side extension project: survey, design, planning or permitted development checks, building regulations and the build itself.
- Guide price in EarleyFrom £24,500 inc VAT
- PlanningSingle storey can be permitted development
- Build time10–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsRG2, RG5, RG6
Planning rules that apply in Earley
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.
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.
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).
Covering Earley
Postcode districts we cover around Earley include RG2, RG5, RG6. We also work in nearby Reading (3 miles), Wokingham (4 miles), Crowthorne (7 miles), Bracknell (7 miles).
For homes towards Hampshire, Yateley is around 7 miles away. Homes across the South East range from Victorian terraces in the older town centres to large detached houses on the edges, so the right extension type varies street by street.
How much does a side extension cost in Earley?
These guide figures apply our South East England adjustment (×1.12) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Earley: £1,960 to £3,810 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m × 5 m 12 m² | £24,500 – £30,000 | £27,500 – £36,000 | £34,500 – £46,000 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £35,000 – £42,500 | £41,000 – £53,500 | £52,000 – £69,000 |
| 3 m × 8 m 24 m² | £47,000 – £56,500 | £55,000 – £71,500 | £69,500 – £91,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Who a side extension suits
- Homes needing a utility, study or ground-floor bedroom
- Detached and semi-detached houses with side land
- Houses where the rear garden is small
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.
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
We visit your Earley home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Questions people ask about side extensions
Will my neighbours in Earley 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 you cover all of Earley?
Yes. We cover Earley and the surrounding parts of Berkshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Do I need building regulations approval in Earley?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
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.
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.
Book a free site visit in Earley
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.