Single-storey rear extensions in March: design, approvals and build
If you live in March and want more space without moving, a single-storey extension is one of the most practical ways to get it. We handle the drawings, approvals and the build.
- Guide price in MarchFrom £22,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Build time10–16 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsPE15
What should I budget for a single-storey extension in March?
For March we adjust our national guide rates by ×1.06, the factor we use for East of England. Figures include VAT; your written quote after the survey replaces them.
Typical rates in March: £1,860 to £3,600 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £22,000 – £26,500 | £26,000 – £33,500 | £33,000 – £43,500 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £37,000 – £43,500 | £43,000 – £55,500 | £55,000 – £72,500 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £55,500 – £65,500 | £65,000 – £83,000 | £82,500 – £108,500 |
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 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).
Extensions in and around March
We cover March and the postcode districts PE15. The same team covers Wisbech (8 miles), Ely (13 miles), Peterborough (14 miles), Huntingdon (19 miles), all within easy reach.
King's Lynn, in Norfolk, is roughly 19 miles from March and also on our list. The East of England mixes market-town terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates. Clay soils are common in parts of the region, which can affect foundation design.
Included in a typical project
- Flat or pitched roof, rooflights or lantern
- Planning route checked and the right approval obtained
- Foundations, drainage and groundworks
- Doors, windows, insulation, plastering and first fix to 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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
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
You receive a written, itemised price and programme. Nothing starts until you are happy with it.
Build and sign-off
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Common questions in March
Who do I contract with for a single-storey extension in March?
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 you cover all of March?
Yes. We cover March and the surrounding parts of Cambridgeshire. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
How long does a single-storey extension take to build in March?
On site, typically 10 to 16 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
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.
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.
Book a free site visit in March
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.