Covering Reading
Alongside Reading, we also cover Henley-on-Thames (6 miles to the north-east), Wokingham and Crowthorne.
Homes in the South East
Many South East homes are inter-war or post-war semis and detached houses with room for rear and side extensions, while historic town centres and villages bring conservation area and listed building controls.
What is included in an upward extension in Reading?
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.
- Structural survey of walls and foundations
- Design and planning or prior approval application
- Full fit-out of the new rooms
How much should I budget for an upward extension?
Use these ranges to budget for bungalow and upward extensions; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| 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 Reading
In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it 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.
What should Reading homeowners check first?
- Some bungalow foundations need strengthening before a storey can be added.
- Neighbours’ light and privacy are the main planning tests.
How does the project run?
- Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
- 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.
- 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
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 Reading?
Yes. Reading is within our coverage for bungalow and upward extensions, along with nearby Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham.
Bungalow and upward extensions in nearby towns
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Henley-on-Thames
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Wokingham
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Crowthorne
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Bracknell
Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in Reading.