Timber frame extensions for homes in Cumbria
Cumbria homeowners can use us for the whole timber frame extension project: survey, design, planning or permitted development checks, building regulations and the build itself.
- Guide priceFrom £19,500 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Towns covered7
- Site visitFree, no obligation

Covering Cumbria
Towns we cover in Cumbria include Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Whitehaven, Workington, Penrith, Ulverston. Across the North West, terraced houses with small rear yards suit compact rear and side return extensions, while suburban semis have room for more.
Is a timber frame extension right for your house?
- Homeowners who want strong energy performance
- Sites where weight or speed matters
- Contemporary designs with timber or board cladding
Guide prices for Cumbria
Prices below are for Cumbria, using the North West England factor of ×0.95. They are guide ranges including VAT for the build only, not a quote.
Typical rates in Cumbria: £1,660 to £3,230 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £19,500 – £24,000 | £23,000 – £30,500 | £29,500 – £39,000 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £33,000 – £40,000 | £38,500 – £50,500 | £49,000 – £65,000 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £49,500 – £60,000 | £58,000 – £76,000 | £74,000 – £97,000 |
Try the guide-price tool to see a range for your own size and finish.
Do I need planning permission in Cumbria?
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 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).
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
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
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
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 timber frame extensions
Who do I contract with for a timber frame extension in Cumbria?
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 Cumbria?
Yes. Almost every extension needs it, whatever the planning route. We prepare the drawings and book the inspections.
How long does a timber frame extension take to build in Cumbria?
On site, typically 8 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
Does a timber frame extension need planning permission?
The same planning rules apply as for any extension. If the cladding looks different from the house, permitted development’s matching-materials condition may mean an application is needed.
Is timber frame cheaper than brick?
It is similar overall. The frame can save time on site, but the cladding choice has a big effect on cost. Our guide range is about £1,660 to £3,230 per m² including VAT.
Book a free site visit in Cumbria
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.