Single-storey rear extensions for homes in Cornwall
Our design and build teams take on single-storey extensions in Cornwall, from the first measured survey through planning and building control to the finished room.
- Guide priceFrom £21,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Towns covered9
- Site visitFree, no obligation
What we take care of
- Building regulations drawings and structural calculations
- Walls, steel beams and the new opening into the house
- Flat or pitched roof, rooflights or lantern
- Foundations, drainage and groundworks
- Doors, windows, insulation, plastering and first fix to finish
Will the council need to approve it?
In England a single-storey rear extension can usually go up to 3 m beyond the original rear wall of a semi-detached or terraced house, or 4 m on a detached house, without a planning application, provided it is no more than 4 m high, keeps eaves to 3 m within 2 m of a boundary and, with other buildings, covers no more than half the land around the original house. The larger home extension prior approval scheme raises those depths to 6 m and 8 m, with neighbours notified and a 42-day decision.
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.
If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.
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 Cornwall
Towns we cover in Cornwall include Redruth, Falmouth, St Austell, Truro, Camborne, Newquay, Penzance, Bodmin. South West homes range from terraced streets in the cities to stone cottages and bungalows in the countryside, and conservation areas are common in historic centres.
How much does a single-storey extension cost in Cornwall?
For Cornwall we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.02, the factor we use for South West England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in Cornwall: £1,780 to £3,470 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £21,000 – £25,500 | £25,000 – £32,000 | £31,500 – £42,000 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £35,500 – £42,000 | £41,500 – £53,500 | £53,000 – £69,500 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £53,500 – £63,000 | £62,500 – £80,000 | £79,500 – £104,500 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
From first visit to completion
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 Cornwall home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
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
The price is fixed in writing once the design is settled, with a clear programme and payment stages.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Single-storey extension questions answered
How long does a single-storey extension take to build in Cornwall?
On site, typically 10 to 16 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
Will my neighbours in Cornwall 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 Cornwall?
Yes, across the whole of Cornwall. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Flat roof or pitched roof?
Flat roofs give more headroom inside and suit lanterns and rooflights; pitched roofs can blend better with older houses. Both meet building regulations when built properly. See our flat roof and pitched roof pages for the details.
Will I need a steel beam?
Almost always. Opening up the rear wall to join the new room to the house needs a beam, usually steel, sized by a structural engineer. It is included in our quotes.
Book a free site visit in Cornwall
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.