Timber frame extensions in Dunstable: design, approvals and build
From the first sketch to final sign-off, we plan and build timber frame extensions in Dunstable and the surrounding Bedfordshire area.
- Guide price in DunstableFrom £22,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Build time8–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsLU4, LU5, LU6
Timber frame extension prices in Dunstable
These guide figures apply our East of England adjustment (×1.06) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Dunstable: £1,860 to £3,600 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £22,000 – £27,000 | £26,000 – £34,000 | £33,000 – £43,500 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £37,000 – £45,000 | £43,000 – £56,500 | £55,000 – £72,500 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £55,500 – £67,000 | £65,000 – £84,500 | £82,500 – £108,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Included in a typical project
- Foundations, often lighter than masonry
- Fire and acoustic details where needed
- Breathable wall build-up with insulation
- Cladding, render or brick slip finish
- Frame design and structural calculations
Extensions in and around Dunstable
Our survey diary covers Dunstable, including LU4, LU5, LU6. Nearby, we also take on projects in Luton (5 miles), Leighton Buzzard (6 miles), Ampthill (10 miles), Kempston (16 miles).
For homes towards Hertfordshire, Harpenden is around 9 miles away. Across the East of England many houses sit on generous plots, and single-storey and wraparound extensions are a natural fit.
Do I need planning permission in Dunstable?
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.
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
A designer visits, takes measurements and photos, and discusses layouts, budget and timing with you.
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
With the design and specification agreed, you get a fixed written price and a start date.
Build and sign-off
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Timber frame extension questions answered
Do I need building regulations approval in Dunstable?
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 Dunstable, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
Who do I contract with for a timber frame extension in Dunstable?
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.
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 £1,860 to £3,600 per m² including VAT.
Book a free site visit in Dunstable
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.