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 Horwich?
In Horwich, a single-storey extension typically costs £1,850–£2,750 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 20 m² project that is roughly £37,000–£55,000. That range is adjusted for the North West, where domestic building work typically costs around 6% below the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (14 m²) | £26,000–£38,500 |
| Typical project (20 m²) | £37,000–£55,000 |
| Larger project (28 m²) | £52,000–£77,000 |
| Rate per m² | £1,850–£2,750 |
What moves the price most:
- Kitchen, flooring and finishes, which we can include or leave to you
- Floor area and the length of new wall
- Glazing: sliding and bifold doors cost more than French doors
- Roof type and the size of any lantern or roof windows
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a single-storey extension in Horwich?
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.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Measured survey and design drawings
- Structural calculations for steels and lintels
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
- Foundations, drainage and any build-over agreement
- First and second fix electrics, heating and plastering
- Doors, windows and roof glazing installed
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 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 Horwich
The North West has many brick terraces and inter-war semis, where kitchen extensions and dormer loft conversions add space without moving.
Horwich sits in Greater Manchester, about 13 miles south-east of Preston. We cover the whole of Horwich, including postcodes BL6.
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 sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about single-storey extensions in Horwich
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.
How much does a single-storey extension cost in Horwich?
In Horwich, a single-storey extension typically costs £1,850–£2,750 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 20 m² project comes to roughly £37,000–£55,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
What is a build-over agreement?
If a public sewer runs within 3 metres of the extension, the water company normally has to agree to the work before it starts. We check sewer records during design and apply where needed.
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.
Do you build single-storey extensions in Horwich?
Yes. We build single-storey extensions across Horwich, including postcodes BL6. Every project starts with a free home visit.
