what adds the most value to a house<\/a> puts numbers on the trade-off \u2014 and if you’re genuinely torn, ask us to look at both options when we visit. Quoting what’s right for the house, not what’s biggest, is how a family firm stays recommended for forty years.<\/p>\nExtending your home \u2014 FAQs<\/h2>\nHow much does an extension cost in 2026?<\/h3>\n
Budget \u00a31,800\u2013\u00a33,000 per square metre nationally for a fully finished single-storey extension, and the upper half of that range or beyond in Oxford. A 20m\u00b2 kitchen extension typically lands between \u00a345,000 and \u00a370,000 before the kitchen itself.<\/p>\n
Do I need planning permission to extend my house?<\/h3>\n
Not always \u2014 permitted development covers many modest rear extensions, subject to size, height and boundary limits. Conservation areas, listed buildings, larger schemes and removed rights all require an application. Building regulations approval is needed in every case.<\/p>\n
Is it cheaper to build up or out?<\/h3>\n
Per square metre, building up is usually cheaper because foundations and roof are shared across two floors \u2014 but the total project cost is higher. The right answer depends on what kind of space you actually need.<\/p>\n
How long does a house extension take?<\/h3>\n
Typically 10\u201314 weeks on site for single-storey and 16\u201324 for double-storey, with design, planning and party wall stages before that. Allow six months to a year start to finish.<\/p>\n
Planning an extension?<\/strong> We’ll visit, talk through what you’re trying to achieve, and give you a clear, itemised picture of cost and timescale \u2014 no obligation. Contact us<\/a> or call 01865 420063, and see our building extensions in Oxford<\/a> page for recent work.<\/p>\n