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 Cambridgeshire?
In Cambridgeshire, a barn conversion typically costs £1,900–£3,200 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 £285,000–£480,000. Building costs in the East of England run about 6% above the UK average, and the figures for Cambridgeshire are adjusted to reflect that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (105 m²) | £199,500–£336,000 |
| Typical project (150 m²) | £285,000–£480,000 |
| Larger project (210 m²) | £399,000–£672,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,900–£3,200 |
Your quote will depend mainly on:
- Planning conditions and ecology
- Insulation approach
- Condition of the existing structure
- Glazing and finishes
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a barn conversion in Cambridgeshire?
Before anything is built in Cambridgeshire, 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.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Services, drainage and septic or treatment plant
- Building control completion
- Ecology and bat survey coordination
- Structural repairs and new floor slab
- Structural survey and feasibility
- Planning or prior approval application
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 6 to 12 months on site depending on condition. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 4 to 9 months.
Building in Cambridgeshire
Many towns in the East of England have estates built since the 1970s, where garage conversions and rear extensions are popular.
Towns we cover in Cambridgeshire include Peterborough, Cambridge, Wisbech, St Neots, Huntingdon and March.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Approvals
Planning or permitted development confirmation, building regulations and any party wall matters.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about barn conversions in Cambridgeshire
Do I need a bat survey?
Very often. Barns are common bat roosts, and planning authorities usually ask for an ecology survey.
Who approves a barn conversion in Cambridgeshire?
Planning matters in Cambridgeshire go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
How much does a barn conversion cost in Cambridgeshire?
In Cambridgeshire, a barn conversion typically costs £1,900–£3,200 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 £285,000–£480,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Can I get a mortgage for a barn conversion?
Specialist self-build and conversion mortgages release money in stages. We can provide the staged costings lenders ask for.
How long does a barn conversion take?
Typically 6 to 12 months on site, depending on the building’s condition.