Covering Runcorn
Runcorn sits 12 miles north-east of Chester, with Widnes 1 miles to the north and Speke 5 miles to the west.
Homes in the North West
Terraced housing is a defining feature of many North West towns, which brings party walls and narrow access into most projects, with more space to extend on suburban semis.
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.
- Structural survey of walls and foundations
- New first-floor structure, walls and roof
- Full fit-out of the new rooms
What is the guide price for an upward extension in Runcorn?
Indicative costs for bungalow and upward extensions. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| 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 Runcorn
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 can change the price or programme?
- The staircase takes space from the ground floor plan.
- Neighbours’ light and privacy are the main planning tests.
What happens after I enquire?
- 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.
- 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.
Questions about an upward extension in Runcorn
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.
Who deals with the council for a project in Runcorn?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Also covering
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Widnes
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Speke
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Great Sankey
- Bungalow and upward extensions in Huyton
Learn more about bungalow and upward extensions, or see every project we cover in Runcorn.

