Side extensions in Newtownabbey: design, approvals and build
We design and build side extensions for houses in Newtownabbey, with a written price once the survey and design are done and one point of contact throughout.
- Guide price in NewtownabbeyFrom £18,500 inc VAT
- PlanningDepends on the NI limits; checked at the survey
- Build time10–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsBT3, BT14, BT15, BT36, BT37
Working in Newtownabbey
We cover Newtownabbey and the postcode districts BT3, BT14, BT15, BT36, BT37. Nearby, we also take on projects in Belfast (4 miles), Carrickfergus (6 miles), Castlereagh (6 miles), Lisburn (11 miles).
For homes towards County Down, Bangor, County Down is around 10 miles away. In Northern Ireland, extension projects follow the NI planning rules and council building control, which we account for from the first survey.
What should I budget for a side extension in Newtownabbey?
For Newtownabbey 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 Newtownabbey: £1,500 to £2,920 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 m × 5 m 12 m² | £18,500 – £23,000 | £21,000 – £27,500 | £26,500 – £35,500 |
| 3 m × 6 m 18 m² | £27,000 – £33,000 | £31,500 – £41,500 | £40,000 – £53,000 |
| 3 m × 8 m 24 m² | £36,000 – £43,500 | £42,000 – £55,000 | £53,500 – £70,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Will the council need to approve it?
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.
Homes in conservation areas, areas of townscape character and listed buildings have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
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.
Who a side extension suits
- Detached and semi-detached houses with side land
- Homes needing a utility, study or ground-floor bedroom
- 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.
How the project works
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 produce the drawings and structural design, and manage the approvals so they are in place before work starts.
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
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Side extension questions answered
Do I need building regulations approval in Newtownabbey?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Newtownabbey, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Who do I contract with for a side extension in Newtownabbey?
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 much does a side extension cost?
Our guide range is about £1,500 to £2,920 per m² including VAT, depending on specification, so a standard 18 m² single-storey side extension lands around £31,500 to £41,500 in Newtownabbey.
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 Newtownabbey
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.