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 Thornton-Cleveleys?
In Thornton-Cleveleys, 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. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the North West, where labour and materials are typically about 6% below 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 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Floor area and the length of new wall
- Glazing: sliding and bifold doors cost more than French doors
- Kitchen, flooring and finishes, which we can include or leave to you
- Ground conditions and foundation depth
Use the guide price tool to see how size and specification change the figure, then ask for a written, itemised quote.
Do you need planning permission for a single-storey extension in Thornton-Cleveleys?
The approval route for Thornton-Cleveleys is set by planning law 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.
At the survey we check your house’s planning history and any restrictions, and tell you which route applies.
What we handle
Handled as part of most single-storey extensions:
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
- Doors, windows and roof glazing installed
- Knock-through to the existing house with steel beams
- Cavity walls, insulation and roof to current building regulations
- Structural calculations for steels and lintels
- Measured survey and design drawings
How long does it take?
Expect 10 to 14 weeks on site for a typical rear extension, after approvals. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the approval route.
Building in Thornton-Cleveleys
The North West has many brick terraces and inter-war semis, where kitchen extensions and dormer loft conversions add space without moving.
We work across Thornton-Cleveleys and neighbouring areas such as Poulton-le-Fylde, Fleetwood and Blackpool. Postcodes we cover in Thornton-Cleveleys include FY2 and FY5.
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
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about single-storey extensions in Thornton-Cleveleys
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 Thornton-Cleveleys?
In Thornton-Cleveleys, 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.
Do I need planning permission for a single-storey extension?
Not always. Many small rear extensions are permitted development, within limits on depth, height and how much of the garden is covered. The limits depend on which nation you live in and on protected areas such as conservation areas, and flats or houses whose rights have been removed need an application. We check this at the survey and can apply to the council for formal confirmation.
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.
How long does a single-storey extension take in Thornton-Cleveleys?
Typically 10 to 14 weeks on site for a typical rear extension, after approvals. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
