Side extensions in Greater Manchester
If you live in Greater Manchester 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 priceFrom £20,500 inc VAT
- PlanningSingle storey can be permitted development
- Towns covered41
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Towns in Greater Manchester
- Altrincham
- Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Atherton
- Bolton
- Bury
- Chadderton
- Cheadle Hulme
- Denton
- Droylsden
- Dukinfield
- Eccles
- Failsworth
- Farnworth
- Hazel Grove
- Heywood
- Hindley
- Horwich
- Hyde
- Irlam
- Leigh
- Manchester
- Middleton
- Oldham
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Rochdale
- Royton
- Saddleworth
- Sale
- Salford
- Stalybridge
- Stockport
- Stretford
- Swinton
- Tyldesley
- Urmston
- Walkden
- Westhoughton
- Whitefield
- Wigan
Extensions in and around Greater Manchester
Towns we cover in Greater Manchester include Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport, Salford, Rochdale, Sale. Across the North West, terraced houses with small rear yards suit compact rear and side return extensions, while suburban semis have room for more.
Included in a typical project
- Windows, doors and finishes to match
- Survey, design and street-view drawings
- Foundations near boundaries and any drains
- Planning route checked or application made
- Structure, roof tied into the house
How much does a side extension cost in Greater Manchester?
For Greater Manchester we adjust our national guide rates by ×0.95, the factor we use for North West England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Greater Manchester: £1,660 to £3,230 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m × 5 m 12 m² | £20,500 – £25,500 | £23,000 – £30,500 | £29,500 – £39,000 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £29,500 – £36,000 | £35,000 – £45,500 | £44,000 – £58,500 |
| 3 m × 8 m 24 m² | £39,500 – £48,000 | £46,500 – £60,500 | £59,000 – £78,000 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Do I need planning permission in Greater Manchester?
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.
Before any drawing is finalised we check whether the house is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
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.
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).
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
Once the layout is agreed, we deal with the council: planning permission or written confirmation that none is needed, plus building control.
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.
Side extension questions answered
How long does a side extension take to build in Greater Manchester?
On site, typically 10 to 18 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 6–14 weeks design and approvals.
Will my neighbours in Greater Manchester 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.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Greater Manchester, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
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 much does a side extension cost?
Our guide range is about £1,660 to £3,230 per m² including VAT, depending on specification, so a standard 18 m² single-storey side extension lands around £35,000 to £45,500 in Greater Manchester.
Book a free site visit in Greater Manchester
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.