Covering Smethwick
Our coverage around Smethwick (B66) also includes West Bromwich (2 miles to the north-west) and Birmingham.
Homes in the West Midlands
Red-brick terraces and inter-war semis make up much of the housing in the West Midlands, which suits rear extensions, dormer lofts and hip-to-gable conversions, with more modern estates on the edges of the towns.
What is a garden annexe?
A garden annexe is a separate single-storey building in the grounds of a house with its own bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette, used by family members as part of the main household. Unlike a garden office, an annexe that people sleep in normally needs planning permission and full building regulations approval.
- Design and planning application
- Foundations and drainage connections
- Brick, block or timber-frame structure
What will a garden annexe cost?
Indicative costs for garden annexes. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| Garden annexes | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Standard specification | £2,400 to £2,900 per m² |
| Good specification | £2,900 to £3,400 per m² |
| High specification | £3,400 to £3,900 per m² |
Do you need permission for a garden annexe in Smethwick?
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.
A self-contained annexe used for sleeping and living normally needs planning permission in England.
What should Smethwick homeowners check first?
- The annexe normally has to remain part of the main household, not let as a separate home.
- Drainage may need a pump if the garden falls away from the sewer.
What happens after I enquire?
- 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.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- We build it. Work follows an agreed programme, with inspections at each stage and a final sign-off.
Your questions answered
Can I rent the annexe out?
Usually not without a separate planning permission, because councils normally require it to stay part of the main house.
How long does an annexe take to build?
About 14 to 24 weeks on site after approvals.
Can you visit a house in Smethwick to quote?
Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.
Garden annexes near Smethwick
- Garden annexes in West Bromwich
- Garden annexes in Birmingham
- Garden annexes in Aston
- Garden annexes in Bartley Green
Learn more about garden annexes, or see every project we cover in Smethwick.