Rear Extensions London

A single storey rear extension for your home is great way to liberate space in your house, often with the benefit of not losing much of the garden. It’s a highly effective way to re-vitalise your home and add value at the same time. 

On the ground floor, rear extensions often tend to include a re-modelled kitchen-dining room and family living space, but there is no reason not to do something else. It might suit you to create a garden room, home office or even a new bedroom suite. 

Do you have a clear idea of what you want?

If you’ve decided on a rear extension in London, you need to consider some key elements for a successful project:

• do you have a specific idea, and if so what?
• remember to factor in thoughtful design, to maximise the use of natural light and the building’s existing architectural features
• will you also be remodelling the garden?
• What’s the impact in the neighbours, especially if you live in a terraced or semi-detached property?
• What planning or other permissions will be required?
• What’s the cost of a rear extension in London?

In this article, we’ll look at these and a few additional points to help you plan the perfect rear extension in London.

Putting pen to Paper.

Once you’ve thought through the initial options, the next step is a feasibility study. This is where you will be best served by commissioning architectural designers who understand the construction issues as well as the design criteria. Ideally you’ll engage someone who is also a Planning expert – that way all functions are ‘under one roof’, and they will be able to deal with the project as a complete whole.

For the feasibility study, it’s reasonable to expect

• initial including drawings (including 3D visualisations and plans), to match your own ideas, but perhaps adjusted to reflect the idiosyncrasies of your property or alternative ideas from your architectural designers
• how you can use structural elements to your advantage to maximise space and light
• advice on the implications of Building Regulations 
• ideas as to room layout and design details including choice of materials to match your budget
• initial advice as to whether or not Planning Permission will be required.

Additional considerations will be :

• as to the nature and extent of structural work required and whether or not you’ll need a structural surveyor – if you’re altering the structure by knocking through a wall, then it’s likely you will need this.
• if you live in a terraced or semi-detached property, advice about a party wall agreement.

After that,  you should get an initial broad estimate as to costs, although remember that final prices will depend a lot on the details of construction and your choice of finishes. 

Once these basics are agreed, your architectural designers can start on planning and preparation, including detailed specifications and the paperwork that goes with a Planning Appliation or Permitted Development Rights, whichever is appropriate.

Are Permitted Development Rights for single storey rear extensions all the same?

Entitlement to Permitted Development Rights varies depending on the context and size of rear extension intended. The original size of your property will also be relevant. However, in broad terms, the type of house in which you live also determines the outcome.

• Detached properties – you can build a rear ground floor house extension reaching up to 4m from the back of the main part of the house, or 8m subject to consultation with neighbours. In the latter case you will still need prior approval from the local Planning Authority.
• Semi-detached and terraced properties – you can build a rear ground floor house extension reaching up to 3m from the back of the main part of the house, or 6m subject to consultation with neighbours. As above, for this you will still need prior approval from the local Planning Authority.

You can find more information about Permitted Development Rights on gov.uk and the Planning Portal. These are useful reference points, but bear in mind the information is either quite general or very technical – you are still better off having an experienced professional (ideally one familiar with your Planning Authority) give you their reasoned opinion.

Crossing the t and dotting the i

If your project does come within Permitted Development Rights you should still secure a Lawful Development Certificate from your local Planning Authority. This will be useful proof, when you come to sell, that no Planning Permission was needed.

If you don’t qualify for Permitted Development Rights (perhaps because of the age of the house, or the size of what you want to build, including its width as well as length) you will need to apply for Planning Permission.

Although you could do this yourself, it is quicker, easier and more cost effective to employ a Planning specialist. Many firms of architectural designers also have an in-house Planning expert who will  guide you through the process, including preparing all the paper work.

We do house extensions all over London. Areas include (but are not limited to): Barking & Dagenham, Bromley, Barnet, Bexley, Enfield, Greenwich, Hammersmith & Fulham, Havering, Romford, Thurrock, Twickenham, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Walthamstow, Richmond,  High Wycombe, Harrow, and Ealing.