Timber frame extensions in Gateshead: design, approvals and build
A timber frame extension in Gateshead starts with the right design and the right approval route. We take care of both, then build it with our own project management.
- Guide price in GatesheadFrom £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 districtsNE1, NE2, NE4, NE6, NE8
Covering Gateshead
Site visits are available across Gateshead (NE1, NE2, NE4, NE6, NE8, NE99). The same team covers Newcastle upon Tyne (1 mile), Felling (1 mile), Gosforth (3 miles), Wallsend (3 miles), all within easy reach.
Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, is roughly 7 miles from Gateshead and also on our list. The North East has many brick terraces, colliery-era housing and post-war semis, with rear extensions and kitchen extensions the most common requests.
How much does a timber frame extension cost in Gateshead?
Labour and material costs vary across the UK, so for Gateshead we use our North East England factor (×0.91). The ranges include VAT and exclude design, structural and council fees.
Typical rates in Gateshead: £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.
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.
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.
Applications are decided by the local planning authority (your district, borough or unitary council).
Included in a typical project
- Cladding, render or brick slip finish
- Frame design and structural calculations
- Breathable wall build-up with insulation
- Fire and acoustic details where needed
- Foundations, often lighter than masonry
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.
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
We visit your Gateshead home, measure up, talk through what you want and check the planning position.
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
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
Our team builds the extension, keeps you updated weekly and finishes with building control sign-off.
Questions people ask about timber frame extensions
How long does a timber frame extension take to build in Gateshead?
On site, typically 8 to 14 weeks once approvals are in place. Before that, allow 4–12 weeks design and approvals.
Will my neighbours in Gateshead be involved?
If a planning application or prior approval is needed, the council notifies neighbours. If the work is on or near a shared boundary, party wall notices may also be needed.
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Gateshead, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
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 £1,590 to £3,090 per m² including VAT.
Book a free site visit in Gateshead
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.