Single-storey rear extensions in County Durham
Planning a single-storey extension in County Durham? We survey the house, work out the planning route, draw the design and build it, so you deal with one team from the first visit to the completion certificate.
- Guide priceFrom £19,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Towns covered14
- Site visitFree, no obligation
Towns in County Durham
Planning rules that apply in County Durham
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.
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).
Who a single-storey extension suits
- Homeowners who want open-plan living onto the garden
- Terraced houses that want a deeper kitchen across the full width
- Semi-detached and detached houses with a usable rear garden
Single-storey extension prices in County Durham
For County Durham we adjust our national guide rates by ×0.91, the factor we use for North East England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in County Durham: £1,590 to £3,090 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £19,000 – £22,500 | £22,000 – £28,500 | £28,000 – £37,500 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £31,500 – £37,500 | £37,000 – £47,500 | £47,000 – £62,000 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £47,500 – £56,000 | £55,500 – £71,000 | £70,500 – £93,000 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Local to County Durham
Towns we cover in County Durham include Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Billingham, Stanley, Consett. The North East has many brick terraces, colliery-era housing and post-war semis, with rear extensions and kitchen extensions the most common requests.
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
It starts with a visit to your house to measure, check access and talk through ideas and budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
Fixed written price
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
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 single-storey extensions
Who do I contract with for a single-storey extension in County Durham?
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.
Do I need building regulations approval in County Durham?
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 County Durham, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
How deep can a single-storey rear extension be without planning permission?
In England, up to 3 m beyond the original rear wall on a semi-detached or terraced house and 4 m on a detached house, within height and boundary limits. Through the larger home extension prior approval scheme those depths rise to 6 m and 8 m. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use their own rules, which we check for your address.
How much does a single-storey extension cost per square metre?
Our guide range is about £1,590 to £3,090 per m² including VAT, depending on specification. A standard-spec 4 m × 5 m room usually lands at £37,000 to £47,500 in County Durham, plus design and council fees.
Book a free site visit in County Durham
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.