Single-storey extensions in Colchester

Covering Colchester

Colchester sits 21 miles north-east of Chelmsford, with Sudbury 13 miles to the north-west and Clacton-on-Sea 13 miles to the south-east.

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 is included in a single-storey extension in Colchester?

We design the extension around how you use the house: where the light comes from, how the new room joins the old one, and what happens to the drains and the garden. The structure is built in brick or block to match the house, finished with a flat roof and lantern or a pitched roof, then insulated, plastered and handed back ready to decorate.

Planning or lawful development certificate where needed
Foundations, drainage and structural steel
Brickwork, roof, glazing and insulation

How much should I budget for a single-storey extension?

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

What approvals does a single-storey extension need in England?

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. Deeper extensions, up to 6 m or 8 m, need prior approval from the council first.

What should Colchester homeowners check first?

Drains under the footprint may need diverting or a build-over agreement with the water company.
Building on or near a shared boundary usually means serving a party wall notice in England and Wales.

From first call to completion

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.
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.

Questions about a single-storey extension in Colchester

How long does a single-storey extension take to build?

The build itself usually takes 10 to 16 weeks once work starts on site. Design, approvals and ordering usually add 6 to 12 weeks before that.

Do you need to dig up the drains?

Sometimes. If a public sewer runs under the extension, the water company has to agree a build-over or a diversion. We check this at survey stage.

Can you visit a house in Colchester 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.

Single-storey extensions in nearby towns

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