Covering Swanley
Our coverage around Swanley (BR8) also includes Bexley (3 miles to the north) and Dartford.
Homes in the South East
The South East has a lot of 1930s and post-war semi-detached housing, well suited to rear extensions and hip-to-gable loft conversions, alongside period properties in conservation areas that need a more careful design.
What is included in an orangery in Swanley?
An orangery is a single-storey extension with brick piers or walls, large windows and a glazed lantern set into a solid, insulated roof. It sits between a conservatory and a full extension: lighter than an extension, warmer and more solid than a conservatory.
- Foundations, brick piers and insulated base
- Insulated roof perimeter with plastered pelmet
- Heating, electrics and decoration-ready finish
What is the guide price for an orangery in Swanley?
Use these ranges to budget for orangeries; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| Orangeries | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Standard specification | £3,000 to £3,500 per m² |
| Good specification | £3,500 to £4,100 per m² |
| High specification | £4,100 to £4,800 per m² |
How is an orangery approved in Swanley?
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 a single-storey rear extension can often go ahead under permitted development: up to 3 m deep on an attached house or 4 m on a detached one, no higher than 4 m, with eaves no higher than 3 m within 2 m of a boundary. Deeper extensions, up to 6 m or 8 m, need prior approval from the council first.
What can affect an orangery?
- Solar-control glass in the lantern stops summer overheating.
- Heating should be part of the house system, not a plug-in heater.
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.
- Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
- Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
Your questions answered
How much does an orangery cost?
Typically £3,000 to £4,800 per square metre including VAT, or around £50,000 to £70,000 for a 16 m² orangery.
How long does it take to build?
About 8 to 14 weeks on site.
Can you visit a house in Swanley 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.
Orangeries in nearby towns
Learn more about orangeries, or see every project we cover in Swanley.

