Side extensions in Portsmouth
If you live in Portsmouth 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 PortsmouthFrom £24,500 inc VAT
- PlanningSingle storey can be permitted development
- Build time10–18 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsPO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5
Included in a typical project
- Foundations near boundaries and any drains
- Windows, doors and finishes to match
- New openings through the side wall
- Survey, design and street-view drawings
- Structure, roof tied into the house
- Planning route checked or application made
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 should I budget for a side extension in Portsmouth?
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 Portsmouth: £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 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
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.
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 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).
Local to Portsmouth
Site visits are available across Portsmouth (PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5, PO12). Nearby, we also take on projects in Gosport (2 miles), Fareham (5 miles), Havant (6 miles), Waterlooville (6 miles).
Just over the Isle of Wight border, Ryde is about 6 miles away. In the South East, plenty of houses have already been extended once, which makes checking the remaining permitted development allowance an important early step.
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
A designer visits, takes measurements and photos, and discusses layouts, budget and timing with you.
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
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Questions people ask about side extensions
Will my neighbours in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Do you cover all of Portsmouth?
Yes. We cover Portsmouth and the surrounding parts of Hampshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
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.
How much does a side extension cost?
Our guide range is about £1,960 to £3,810 per m² including VAT, depending on specification, so a standard 18 m² single-storey side extension lands around £41,000 to £53,500 in Portsmouth.
Book a free site visit in Portsmouth
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.