Reading timber frame extensions, designed and built
Reading 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 price in ReadingFrom £23,500 inc VAT
- PlanningOften permitted development (3–4 m), or prior approval up to 6–8 m
- Build time8–14 weeks on site
- Postcode districtsRG1, RG2, RG4, RG5, RG6
What should I budget for a timber frame extension in Reading?
These guide figures apply our South East England adjustment (×1.12) to national rates. They include VAT at 20% and cover the build itself; design and council fees are listed separately.
Typical rates in Reading: £1,960 to £3,810 per m² including VAT, depending on specification.
| Size | Essential | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m × 4 m 12 m² | £23,500 – £28,500 | £27,500 – £36,000 | £34,500 – £46,000 |
| 4 m × 5 m 20 m² | £39,000 – £47,500 | £45,500 – £59,500 | £58,000 – £76,500 |
| 5 m × 6 m 30 m² | £58,500 – £71,000 | £68,500 – £89,500 | £87,000 – £114,500 |
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
What is included
- Cladding, render or brick slip finish
- Frame design and structural calculations
- Foundations, often lighter than masonry
- Breathable wall build-up with insulation
- Fire and acoustic details where needed
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.
Working in Reading
We cover Reading and the postcode districts RG1, RG2, RG4, RG5, RG6, RG30. Nearby, we also take on projects in Earley (3 miles), Wokingham (7 miles), Crowthorne (10 miles), Bracknell (10 miles).
Just over the Oxfordshire border, Henley-on-Thames is about 6 miles away. The South East has a broad mix of 1930s semis, post-war estates, newer developments and period cottages, and many houses have enough garden for a generous rear extension.
Planning rules that apply in Reading
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.
Before any drawing is finalised we check whether the house is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
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).
Our process, step by step
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
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
Work is carried out to the agreed programme, inspected by building control and signed off at the end.
Your questions about a timber frame extension in Reading
Will my neighbours in Reading 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.
Do I need building regulations approval in Reading?
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 Reading?
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 £1,960 to £3,810 per m² including VAT.
Book a free site visit in Reading
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.