Single-storey extensions in Cambridge

Covering Cambridge

Cambridge is about 30 miles south-east of Peterborough. We also cover Huntingdon (16 miles to the north-west), Haverhill and St Neots.

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 a single-storey extension?

A single-storey extension adds one level of new floor space to the back or side of a house, usually to open up a kitchen, dining or family room. It is the most common way to gain space without moving, and many can be built without a planning application.

Measured survey and design drawings
Building control application and inspections
Foundations, drainage and structural steel

What is the guide price for a single-storey extension in Cambridge?

Typical ranges for single-storey extensions. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.

Single-storey extensions	Guide price incl. VAT
Standard specification	£2,600 to £3,000 per m²
Good specification	£3,000 to £3,500 per m²
High specification	£3,500 to £4,000 per m²

Planning and building rules in Cambridge

English projects need planning clearance from the local council, building regulations sign-off from building control, and party wall notices where the work is on or near a shared boundary. We prepare and manage all three.

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.

What can change the price or programme?

Drains under the footprint may need diverting or a build-over agreement with the water company.
Kitchens and doors have long lead times, so we order them early.

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.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Your questions answered

Do I need planning permission for a single-storey extension?

Often not in England, if the extension stays within permitted development limits: 3 m deep on an attached house or 4 m on a detached house, and no higher than 4 m. Larger ones need prior approval or a planning application. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.

Can we stay in the house during the build?

Usually yes. We keep the existing house closed off from the works until the knock-through near the end, and agree a temporary kitchen set-up with you if the kitchen is affected.

Do you work in Cambridge?

Yes. Cambridge is within our coverage for single-storey extensions, along with nearby Huntingdon and Haverhill.

Other towns nearby

Learn more about single-storey extensions, or see every project we cover in Cambridge.