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 Slough?
In Slough, 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. Prices across the South East are typically 12% above the UK average for this kind of work, which is reflected in the range for Slough. 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:
- Condition of the existing structure
- Services and drainage
- Access to the site
- Insulation approach
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 Slough?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location 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
The work we manage on a barn conversion:
- Building control completion
- Planning or prior approval application
- Services, drainage and septic or treatment plant
- Ecology and bat survey coordination
- Insulation that respects the existing fabric
- New roof covering where needed
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 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 Slough
The South East has a broad mix of housing, from Victorian terraces in the towns to post-war semis and newer estates, so extension types vary street by street.
Slough sits in Berkshire, about 17 miles east of Reading. We cover the whole of Slough, including postcodes SL1 and SL95.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and handover
Work follows the agreed programme, with inspections along the way and a completion certificate at the end.
Questions about barn conversions in Slough
Is VAT reduced on a barn conversion?
Usually yes. Converting a non-residential building into a dwelling normally qualifies for the reduced 5% VAT rate on building work. Our guide prices assume this rate.
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 in Slough?
Typically 6 to 12 months on site depending on condition. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 4 to 9 months.
Do I need a bat survey?
Very often. Barns are common bat roosts, and planning authorities usually ask for an ecology survey.
How much does a barn conversion cost in Slough?
In Slough, 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.