Single-storey rear extensions in Kirkwall: design, approvals and build
Kirkwall projects are quoted by arrangement: we plan the design, approvals and build carefully around travel and material deliveries, and confirm any travel costs up front.
- Guide price in KirkwallFrom £20,500 inc VAT
- PlanningScottish householder rules; building warrant needed
- Build time10–16 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsKW15
Guide prices for Kirkwall
These guide figures apply our Scotland adjustment (×0.98) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Kirkwall: £1,720 to £3,330 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £20,500 – £24,500 | £24,000 – £31,000 | £30,500 – £40,000 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £34,000 – £40,500 | £40,000 – £51,000 | £50,500 – £67,000 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £51,000 – £60,500 | £60,000 – £76,500 | £76,000 – £100,000 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Planning rules that apply in Kirkwall
In Scotland, householder permitted development rules (Class 1A for single-storey ground-floor extensions and Class 1B for extensions of more than one storey) allow some smaller extensions without a planning application, within limits on depth, height and distance from the boundary. Conservation areas and listed buildings are more restricted.
Homes in conservation areas, national scenic areas and listed buildings have tighter rules, so we always check the property's status and planning history before design starts.
In Scotland a building warrant from the council is needed before work starts on almost any extension, and a completion certificate is issued when the work is accepted. Building standards are set in the Scottish technical handbooks.
Applications are decided by your council as planning authority.
Extensions in and around Kirkwall
Site visits are available across Kirkwall (KW15). Island and remote projects are planned individually, with travel, deliveries and accommodation for the team agreed before the survey.
Scotland's housing includes sandstone villas, terraces and tenements in the cities and plenty of post-war and modern houses and bungalows elsewhere. A building warrant is needed before work starts.
When a single-storey extension makes sense
- Homeowners who want open-plan living onto the garden
- Semi-detached and detached houses with a usable rear garden
- Terraced houses that want a deeper kitchen across the full width
Depth is the big decision. Every extra metre adds floor area but also takes garden and can push you out of permitted development. We draw the room at two or three depths so you can see the trade-off in space, light and cost before anything is fixed.
How the project works
Visits to Kirkwall are arranged around travel; we confirm any travel costs in writing before the survey.
Site visit by arrangement
We visit your Kirkwall home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
Design and approvals
We draw the design, agree it with you and handle planning or permitted development checks and building regulations.
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
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Questions people ask about single-storey extensions
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Kirkwall, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Will my neighbours in Kirkwall be involved?
If a planning application is needed, the council notifies neighbours. Where work is close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with them in writing.
How long does a single-storey extension take to build in Kirkwall?
On site, typically 10 to 16 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
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.
Can I stay in the house during the build?
Usually yes. Most of the work happens outside until the final weeks, when we open the rear wall. We plan that stage carefully and seal the opening with a temporary screen to keep dust down.
Talk to us about a project in Kirkwall
We will talk through the project, the planning position and how we would organise the visit and the build.
- Site visit arranged around travel, costs agreed first
- 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 .
Send us your project details
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.