Bungalow and upward extensions in Christchurch

Covering Christchurch

Our coverage around Christchurch (BH23) also includes Bournemouth (4 miles to the west) and New Milton.

Homes in the South West

In the South West, matching local stone, render or slate is often the main design question, and conservation areas and listed buildings are common in historic towns.

What is included in an upward extension in Christchurch?

The first question is whether the existing walls and foundations can carry the extra load, so we start with a structural survey. Then we design either a full first floor or a raised roof with dormers, handle planning or prior approval, and build the new storey while protecting the floor below.

Structural survey of walls and foundations
Roof removal and temporary weather protection
New first-floor structure, walls and roof

How much does an upward extension cost in Christchurch?

What bungalow and upward extensions typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.

Bungalow and upward extensions	Guide price incl. VAT
Chalet conversion with dormers (total)	£45,000 to £85,000
New first floor, standard specification	£2,200 to £2,800 per m²
New first floor, good specification	£2,800 to £3,300 per m²
New first floor, high specification	£3,300 to £3,800 per m²

Planning and building rules in Christchurch

Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.

In England, Class AA permitted development allows an extra storey on many detached and semi-detached houses built between July 1948 and October 2018, subject to a prior approval application covering design, neighbours’ amenity and other matters. Houses in conservation areas and other protected land need full planning permission, as do most chalet conversions with front dormers.

What should Christchurch homeowners check first?

Some bungalow foundations need strengthening before a storey can be added.
The staircase takes space from the ground floor plan.

What are the steps?

Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Questions about an upward extension in Christchurch

How much does it cost to add a storey?

Around £2,200 to £3,800 per square metre of new floor including VAT, or £45,000 to £85,000 for a chalet conversion with dormers.

How long does it take?

About 12 to 24 weeks on site.

Do you work in Christchurch?

Yes. Christchurch is within our coverage for bungalow and upward extensions, along with nearby Bournemouth and New Milton.

Bungalow and upward extensions in nearby towns

Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in Christchurch.