What is a single-storey extension?

A single-storey extension is a ground-floor addition, usually at the rear of a house, that enlarges a kitchen, living or dining space. Most are built with cavity walls on concrete foundations and finished with a flat roof and roof lantern or a pitched tiled roof.
How much does a single-storey extension cost in Halesowen?
In Halesowen, a single-storey extension typically costs £1,900–£2,800 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 20 m² project that is roughly £38,000–£56,000. Building costs in the West Midlands are close to the UK average, so the figures for Halesowen are close to our national guide. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (14 m²) | £26,500–£39,000 |
| Typical project (20 m²) | £38,000–£56,000 |
| Larger project (28 m²) | £53,000–£78,500 |
| Rate per m² | £1,900–£2,800 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Kitchen, flooring and finishes, which we can include or leave to you
- Roof type and the size of any lantern or roof windows
- Glazing: sliding and bifold doors cost more than French doors
- Floor area and the length of new wall
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 single-storey extension in Halesowen?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in England. In England a single-storey rear extension is often permitted development: broadly up to 3 metres deep on a semi-detached or terraced house and 4 metres on a detached house, no higher than 4 metres, with eaves no higher than 3 metres within 2 metres of a boundary, and covering no more than half the garden. The larger home extension scheme allows up to 6 or 8 metres if you notify the council first and neighbours have a chance to comment. In conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes the larger home extension route, side extensions and cladding are not permitted development. Flats and houses whose rights have been removed need a planning application, and listed buildings 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
Handled as part of most single-storey extensions:
- Knock-through to the existing house with steel beams
- Doors, windows and roof glazing installed
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
- Measured survey and design drawings
- Cavity walls, insulation and roof to current building regulations
- Structural calculations for steels and lintels
How long does it take?
Expect 10 to 14 weeks on site for a typical rear extension, after approvals. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 6 to 12 weeks, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Halesowen
The West Midlands has large numbers of 1930s semis and Victorian terraces, which suit rear extensions, side extensions and dormer loft conversions.
We work across Halesowen and neighbouring areas such as Brierley Hill, Dudley and Stourbridge. Postcodes we cover in Halesowen include B63.
How it works
- 01
Visit and measured survey
A free visit to understand the project, check access and take measurements.
- 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
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about single-storey extensions in Halesowen
Who approves a single-storey extension in Halesowen?
Planning matters in Halesowen go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Is VAT charged on an extension?
Yes. Building work on an existing home is standard-rated, so VAT at 20% applies. Our guide prices include it.
Do I need a party wall agreement?
If you are in England or Wales and the work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary or digging foundations close to a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts. We advise on this at the design stage.
Can I stay in the house during the build?
Usually yes. We build the shell before opening up the back wall, so the house stays weathertight for most of the job. There will be a few weeks when the kitchen or back room is out of use.
How much does a single-storey extension cost in Halesowen?
In Halesowen, a single-storey extension typically costs £1,900–£2,800 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 20 m² project comes to roughly £38,000–£56,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
