Covering Hitchin
Alongside Hitchin, we also cover Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage (5 miles to the south-east) and Luton.
Homes in the East of England
The East of England has a large stock of post-war and modern estate housing alongside period homes in market towns, which makes garage conversions, single-storey extensions and loft conversions popular.
What do you get with an upward extension?
An upward extension adds a new storey on top of an existing house, most often turning a bungalow into a two-storey or chalet-style home. It can double the floor area without using any of the garden.
- Design and planning or prior approval application
- Staircase and changes to the ground floor layout
- Full fit-out of the new rooms
What will an upward extension cost?
Guide prices for bungalow and upward extensions, including VAT where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey.
| 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 |
What approvals does an upward extension need in England?
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 Hitchin homeowners check first?
- Some bungalow foundations need strengthening before a storey can be added.
- The house is exposed while the roof is off, so the sequence is planned tightly.
How does the project run?
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Bungalow and upward extensions: common questions
Can I add a first floor to my bungalow?
Often yes, if the walls and foundations can carry the load and planning allows. We check the structure first.
How long does it take?
About 12 to 24 weeks on site.
Do you work in Hitchin?
Yes. Hitchin is within our coverage for bungalow and upward extensions, along with nearby Letchworth Garden City and Stevenage.
Bungalow and upward extensions in nearby towns
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Letchworth Garden City
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Stevenage
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Luton
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Harpenden
Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in Hitchin.