What is a barn conversion?
A barn conversion turns an agricultural or rural building into a home while keeping its character: the brick or stone walls, roof timbers and large openings. It involves structural repair, insulation, new services and often a new floor slab.
How much does a barn conversion cost in Berkshire?
In Berkshire, a barn conversion typically costs £2,000–£3,350 per m² of floor area, including VAT at usually 5% (reduced rate for creating a new dwelling). For a typical 150 m² project that is roughly £300,000–£502,500. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the South East, where labour and materials are typically about 12% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (105 m²) | £210,000–£352,000 |
| Typical project (150 m²) | £300,000–£502,500 |
| Larger project (210 m²) | £420,000–£703,500 |
| Rate per m² | £2,000–£3,350 |
What moves the price most:
- Access to the site
- Planning conditions and ecology
- Condition of the existing structure
- Services and drainage
For a figure based on your own measurements, try the guide price tool, then book a free home visit for a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a barn conversion in Berkshire?
Before anything is built in Berkshire, we confirm which approvals apply in England. In England converting an agricultural building into a home needs either full planning permission or prior approval under Class Q of the permitted development rules, which limits floor space and the number of homes. Listed barns also need listed building consent.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
The work we manage on a barn conversion:
- Insulation that respects the existing fabric
- Services, drainage and septic or treatment plant
- Structural repairs and new floor slab
- Building control completion
- Structural survey and feasibility
- Planning or prior approval application
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 6 to 12 months on site depending on condition. Design and approvals come first and typically take 4 to 9 months, depending on the approval route.
Building in Berkshire
Commuter towns across the South East have many 1930s and post-war semis that suit rear extensions and hip-to-gable loft conversions.
Towns we cover in Berkshire include Reading, Slough, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Wokingham and Newbury.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Design and pricing
Design options, then a fixed quote based on the chosen drawings and specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about barn conversions in Berkshire
How much does a barn conversion cost in Berkshire?
In Berkshire, a barn conversion typically costs £2,000–£3,350 per m² of floor area, including VAT at usually 5% (reduced rate for creating a new dwelling). A typical 150 m² project comes to roughly £300,000–£502,500. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
How long does a barn conversion take?
Typically 6 to 12 months on site, depending on the building’s condition.
Do I need planning permission for a barn conversion?
Yes. A barn conversion needs planning permission or, in England only, prior approval under the agricultural permitted development rules where the building qualifies. Listed barns also need listed building consent.
Do you build barn conversions in Berkshire?
Yes. We build barn conversions across Berkshire, including postcodes GU47, OX12, OX8, RG1 and RG10. Every project starts with a free home visit.
What about drainage without mains sewer?
A sewage treatment plant can be installed, subject to the environmental regulator’s rules where you live.