Timber frame extensions in Durham: design, approvals and build
Thinking about a timber frame extension for your Durham home? Start with a free site visit: we measure up, check what the council will allow and give you honest guide figures on the day.
- Guide price in DurhamFrom £19,000 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Build time8–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsDH1
Covering Durham
Our survey diary covers Durham, including DH1. Neighbouring towns we cover include Chester-le-Street (6 miles), Stanley (8 miles), Bishop Auckland (9 miles), Peterlee (10 miles).
Across the North East, houses often have rear yards or modest gardens, so compact, well-lit single-storey extensions make the biggest difference.
Guide prices for Durham
For 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 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 – £23,000 | £22,000 – £29,000 | £28,000 – £37,500 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £31,500 – £38,500 | £37,000 – £48,500 | £47,000 – £62,000 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £47,500 – £57,500 | £55,500 – £72,500 | £70,500 – £93,000 |
For a figure based on your own dimensions, use our guide-price tool.
When a timber frame extension makes sense
- Homeowners who want strong energy performance
- Contemporary designs with timber or board cladding
- Sites where weight or speed matters
Moisture is the enemy of any timber building. We design ventilated cladding cavities, breather membranes and a proper damp-proof course height, and keep the frame dry during construction.
Do I need planning permission in 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.
The planning position for a specific Durham address depends on its history and any designations, which is why we check it at the first visit.
If the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 m (sometimes 6 m) of a neighbour's building, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notice must be served before work starts: two months for work to a party wall, one month for new walls on the boundary and for excavations.
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).
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
First, a site visit: we look at the house, garden, access and drains and listen to what you need.
Design and approvals
Drawings are prepared and agreed with you, then submitted for the right planning route and building regulations approval.
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
The build is managed from start to finish, inspected at each stage and signed off on completion.
Questions people ask about timber frame extensions
How long does a timber frame extension take to build in Durham?
On site, typically 8 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
Do you cover all of Durham?
Yes. We cover Durham and the surrounding parts of County Durham. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Who do I contract with for a timber frame extension in 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.
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 £1,590 to £3,090 per m² including VAT.
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.
Book a free site visit in 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.