House Extension Specialists

House Extension — Add Space & Value to Your Home

House Extension projects help UK homeowners create additional living space while improving comfort, functionality, and property value. LAMTANS Engineering delivers professionally designed extensions from our Manchester base, combining expert construction, energy-efficient upgrades, and complete project management across the UK.

Up to 20% Added home value (typical)
From £30k Typical starting cost
5 Types Extension options available
Planning Handled on your behalf
TrustMark Registered PAS2035 Compliant Building Control Sign-Off
Why Extend

Why Extend Your Home Instead of Moving?

A house extension is one of the most effective ways to add significant living space and value to your home — without the cost, disruption, and uncertainty of moving. You get to stay in the neighbourhood, the school catchment area, and the home you already know.

Adds Significant Property Value

A well-designed house extension can typically add 10–20% to the value of a UK property. For a £300,000 home, that represents a potential increase of £30,000–£60,000 — often substantially more than the cost of the build itself.

Typically up to 20% added value

More Cost-Effective Than Moving

Moving house involves estate agent fees, conveyancing costs, stamp duty, and removal — typically £10,000–£15,000 in transaction costs alone, before the premium of a larger property. An extension delivers additional space at a fraction of the total cost.

Stay in the Area You Love

Moving means leaving behind your neighbourhood, established school catchment, local amenities, and community. An extension lets you gain the space you need while keeping everything that made you choose your home in the first place.

Design Exactly What You Need

A bespoke extension is designed around your lifestyle — whether you need a larger open-plan kitchen, an extra bedroom, a home office, or additional reception space. You choose the layout, specification, and finishes to suit how you actually live.

House Extension vs Moving House

House Extension
Moving House
Cost
From £30,000 (indicative)
Transaction costs £10k–£15k+ plus larger property premium
Disruption
Confined to build area — you stay in your home
Full upheaval — packing, moving, settling in
Location
Unchanged — same area, school, community
Unknown — depends on what's available in budget
Value added
Typically 10–20% increase
Depends on market conditions at time of sale
01 — Types

Types of House Extensions We Offer

We offer five house extension types across the UK, each designed to maximise space, improve layout, and add long-term value depending on your property type, budget, and planning position. We survey your property first to confirm the most suitable option.

Side Return Extension

Terraced & Semi

Uses the narrow unused side alley space beside terraced and semi-detached properties to extend the ground floor outward — significantly enlarging kitchen layouts and creating a more open, practical living area without reducing the main garden.

Cost guide £2,000–£3,000 per m² (indicative)
Timeline 8–12 weeks
Planning Usually required

Side Extension

Extra Width

Expands the property width into side land to add extra rooms — an additional bedroom, home office, or integrated garage. Particularly effective for detached and semi-detached properties with sufficient side garden or driveway space to build into.

Cost guide £1,800–£3,000 per m² (indicative)
Timeline 8–12 weeks
Planning Usually required

Two-Storey Extension

Maximum Space

Adds living space to both ground and first floor simultaneously, maximising floor area and overall value per build pound. Ground floor typically provides kitchen or dining space; first floor adds an additional bedroom, bathroom, or office. The most space-efficient option for the investment.

Cost guide £2,000–£3,000 per m² (indicative)
Timeline 12–16 weeks
Planning Usually required

Wraparound Extension

Full Transformation

Combines a rear extension with a side return or side extension in an L-shape, creating the largest possible single-storey ground-floor footprint. Delivers a dramatic open-plan kitchen-living transformation — the most comprehensive single-storey extension type available.

Cost guide £2,000–£3,500 per m² (indicative)
Timeline 12–16 weeks
Planning Usually required

Not Sure Which Extension Is Right for Your Property?

We assess your property at the free survey — checking boundaries, soil conditions, planning position, and your brief — then confirm the best extension type and a fixed-price quote.

Book a Free Survey
02 — Costs

House Extension Costs in the UK 2026

House extension costs vary by type, size, specification, and location. The figures below are indicative guide prices — your fixed-price quote is confirmed at the free site survey once we have assessed your property, boundaries, and requirements.

Cost per m² Guide by Extension Type

Extension Type Cost per m² Timeline Planning Permission
Rear Extension £1,500–£3,500 6–10 weeks Often permitted dev.
Side Return Extension £2,000–£3,000 8–12 weeks Usually required
Side Extension £1,800–£3,000 8–12 weeks Usually required
Two-Storey Extension £2,000–£3,000 12–16 weeks Usually required
Wraparound Extension £2,000–£3,500 12–16 weeks Usually required

Typical Total Costs — Real Examples

Rear Extension (single storey)
Typical size: 20m²
£30,000–£50,000
Side Return Extension
Typical size: 15m²
£30,000–£45,000
Two-Storey Extension
Typical size: 30m² (15m² per floor)
£60,000–£90,000
Wraparound Extension
Typical size: 30m²
£60,000–£105,000

Additional Specification Costs to Consider

  • Kitchen fitting: £5,000–£20,000 (depending on specification)
  • Bi-fold doors: £3,000–£8,000 (thermally broken, low-E glass)
  • Roof lantern: £2,000–£5,000 (triple glazed)
  • Underfloor heating: £3,000–£6,000 (much cheaper installed during build)

All figures are indicative guide prices including labour and materials. Actual costs depend on size, specification, site conditions, and location. Your fixed-price quote is confirmed at your free site survey. Prices exclude VAT.

From £30k Typical starting cost
Up to 20% Typical home value increase
6–16 Wks Typical build timeline
Fixed Price Confirmed before work begins

Want an accurate quote for your property? We provide a fixed-price estimate at your free site survey — no obligation.

Get a free quote
03 — Process

House Extension Process

Our process is fully managed from free consultation through to building control sign-off. You have a single point of contact throughout — we handle design, planning permission, building control, all structural work, insulation, and every finishing trade.

1

Free Consultation

We discuss your vision, budget, and timeline. You tell us how you want to use the space; we advise on extension types, rough budget ranges, and likely planning position. No charge, no obligation.

2

Site Survey & Feasibility

We visit your property to check boundaries, drainage, soil conditions, access, and structural feasibility. We confirm which extension type best suits your property and provide a fixed-price quote.

3

Design & Planning

Architectural drawings prepared to your agreed brief. Where planning permission is required, we submit the full application and manage all correspondence with the local authority — you don't need to manage any approvals yourself.

4

Building Control Approval

Building control applications submitted and managed on your behalf. We coordinate all inspections throughout the build to ensure compliance with UK building regulations from the outset.

5

Groundworks & Foundations

Excavation, concrete strip or raft foundations, damp proof course, and drainage connections completed. All groundwork inspected by building control before superstructure work begins.

6

Brickwork & Roof Structure

External walls built to match or complement the existing property. Roof structure installed — flat roof, pitched roof, or roof lantern as specified. All structural steelwork fitted where required. Building envelope completed and made watertight.

7

First Fix — Electrics, Plumbing & Heating

Electrical circuits, consumer unit upgrades, lighting positions, socket runs, plumbing pipework, underfloor heating loops (if specified), radiators, and heating connections completed before boarding and plastering.

8

Insulation — PAS2035 Compliant

PAS2035 compliant insulation installed to floor, walls, and roof of the extension — meeting building regulation thermal performance requirements as standard on every LAMTANS build. Correctly installed insulation now saves significantly on heating bills for decades to come.

9

Plastering & Decoration

Walls and ceilings boarded and plastered to a smooth finish. Decoration (primer and paint) applied to agreed specification, ready for your kitchen, flooring, and fitting trades.

10

Second Fix & Finishes

Sockets, switches, and light fittings connected. Kitchen units, worktops, and appliances fitted (where included). Flooring, skirting boards, bi-fold doors, and roof lanterns installed. All finishes completed to agreed specification.

11

Final Snagging & Handover

Full snagging inspection completed. Building control issues the completion certificate confirming compliance with UK building regulations — required for property sales, remortgage, and insurance. Your new extension is handed over and ready to use.

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We handle everything — planning permission, building control, structural work, all trades, and final certification. One point of contact from free survey to completion. You stay in your home throughout the build.

04 — Planning

Do You Need Planning Permission for a House Extension?

Many house extensions can be carried out under permitted development — meaning you do not need to apply for planning permission. Where permission is required, we manage the full application process on your behalf.

Usually No Planning Permission Needed

  • Single storey rear extensions within permitted development depth limits
  • Extensions that do not cover more than 50% of the surrounding land area
  • Extensions with a maximum height of 4m (or matching the original roof height)
  • Rear extensions on houses not in conservation areas or Article 4 zones

Permitted Development Size Limits

  • Single storey rear: max 4m depth (detached houses) or 3m (all other houses)
  • Maximum height: 4m — or matching the height of the original house
  • Extension cannot cover more than 50% of the land surrounding the original house

These are cumulative limits — previous extensions and outbuildings already built count towards the total. We check your specific position at the free survey.

When Planning Permission Is Required

  • 📋 Property is in a conservation area or Article 4 direction zone
  • 📋 Property is listed
  • 📋 Extension exceeds permitted development depth or height limits
  • 📋 Two-storey extensions on most property types
  • 📋 Front extensions or side extensions visible from a public highway
  • 📋 Wraparound extensions combining rear and side elements on certain properties

We Handle Planning Permission on Your Behalf

We assess your planning position at the free site survey and manage any planning permission or building control applications required — from drawings and submission through to approval. You don't need to manage any of this yourself.

Book a Free Survey
05 — Energy Efficiency

Combine Your Extension with Energy Efficiency Upgrades

An extension is the ideal opportunity to upgrade your home's energy efficiency at the same time — many improvements are significantly cheaper to install during the build than as a standalone retrofit project afterwards.

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Underfloor Heating

Wet underfloor heating is far cheaper and less disruptive to install during an extension build than as a retrofit. Laid before the floor screed, it provides even, efficient warmth across the entire extension floor area — ideal for open-plan kitchen-living spaces with large format tiles.

Cost: £3,000–£6,000 — much cheaper installed during build
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PAS2035 Compliant Insulation

We install PAS2035 compliant insulation to the floor, walls, and roof of every extension as standard — meeting current building regulation thermal performance requirements. High-spec insulation now locks in energy savings for decades and ensures your extension stays warm in winter and cool in summer.

Installed as standard on every LAMTANS extension build
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Bi-fold & Sliding Doors

Thermally broken aluminium frames with low-emissivity (low-E) double or triple glazing deliver natural light and indoor-outdoor connection without the heat loss of older glazing systems. Specified and installed as part of your extension package — no need to source separately.

Cost: £3,000–£8,000 depending on size and specification
☀️

Roof Lantern

A triple-glazed roof lantern floods a flat-roof extension with natural light while maintaining thermal performance. Far more energy-efficient than older single or double-glazed versions — and when specified during the build, fully integrated into the roof structure and waterproofing system.

Cost: £2,000–£5,000 — integrated during roof build

PAS2035 Compliant Insulation Installed as Standard

Every LAMTANS house extension includes PAS2035 compliant insulation to floor, walls, and roof as part of the build — not as an add-on. This meets current UK building regulation thermal performance requirements and reflects our background as accredited retrofit specialists.

06 — Why LAMTANS

Why Choose LAMTANS for Your House Extension?

We deliver professional house extension services across the UK with a focus on energy efficiency, compliance, and full project management from design to completion.

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Full Project Management

One point of contact manages your entire project from free site survey to building control sign-off. We coordinate all trades — groundworks, structural, insulation, electrics, plumbing, plastering, and finishing — so you don't have to.

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Planning Permission Handled

We assess your planning position at the free survey and manage all planning permission and building control applications on your behalf — including drawings, submissions, and responses to any queries from the local authority.

TrustMark Registered

Government-endorsed quality mark for home improvement and retrofit work. TrustMark registration provides consumer protection and verified quality throughout your project — backed by a formal dispute resolution process.

🏗️

Building Control Sign-Off

Every house extension is fully signed off by building control. You receive a completion certificate confirming compliance with UK building regulations — essential for property sales, remortgage, and insurance.

🌡️

PAS2035 Compliant Insulation

We install PAS2035 compliant insulation to floor, walls, and roof as part of every extension build — not as an optional extra. Your new extension meets current building regulation thermal performance requirements as standard.

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Free Survey & Fixed-Price Quote

No-obligation site survey to assess your property, confirm the right extension type, check your planning position, and provide a fixed-price quote. No pressure, no hidden costs — your quote is confirmed before work begins.

LAMTANS Engineering — Retrofit & Construction Specialists

LAMTANS Engineering is a Manchester-based retrofit and construction specialist delivering house extensions, loft conversions, loft insulation, flat roof insulation, pitched roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, park home insulation, solar panels, battery storage, and heating upgrades across the UK. We combine accredited retrofit expertise with full project management and building control compliance to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient extensions — from free survey to final sign-off.

📍 Based in Manchester — serving Stockport, Oldham, Droylsden, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, and across Greater Manchester, with nationwide coverage.

TrustMark Registered RECC Accredited PAS2035 Compliant Building Control Sign-Off
07 — FAQ

House Extension — Common Questions

How much does a house extension cost in the UK?
House extension costs vary by type, size, and specification. As a guide: rear extensions cost £1,500–£3,500 per m² (a typical 20m² costs £30,000–£50,000); side return extensions cost £2,000–£3,000 per m² (a typical 15m² costs £30,000–£45,000); two-storey extensions cost £2,000–£3,000 per m² (a typical 30m² costs £60,000–£90,000). Additional specification items such as kitchen fitting, bi-fold doors, underfloor heating, and roof lanterns are costed separately. All figures are indicative — your fixed-price quote is confirmed at the free site survey.
Do I need planning permission for a house extension?
Many extensions fall under permitted development and do not require planning permission — particularly single storey rear extensions within the permitted development size limits (4m depth for detached, 3m for other houses). Planning permission is typically required for two-storey extensions, wraparound extensions, properties in conservation areas, and extensions that exceed permitted development limits. We assess your planning position at the free site survey and manage any planning permission application on your behalf.
How long does a house extension take?
Build timelines depend on the extension type: single storey rear and side extensions typically take 6–10 weeks; side return and side extensions 8–12 weeks; two-storey and wraparound extensions 12–16 weeks. Where planning permission is required, this adds additional time before the build begins — typically 8–12 weeks for a decision. We factor your full programme timeline (including planning) into your project schedule at the survey.
Will a house extension add value to my home?
A well-designed house extension can typically add 10–20% to the value of a UK property. For a £300,000 home, that represents a potential increase of £30,000–£60,000 — often more than the cost of the build itself. These are widely cited industry estimates; actual value impact depends on your specific property type, location, extension quality, and local housing market conditions at the time of sale.
Do I need to move out during the extension?
No. In most cases you can remain in your home throughout the build. There will be some disruption — particularly during groundworks, structural work, and when the external wall is opened up to connect the extension to the existing house — but we plan and sequence the work to minimise the impact on your day-to-day living. We'll discuss the specific programme with you at the survey.
Can I combine an extension with energy efficiency upgrades?
Yes — and it's the best time to do it. Underfloor heating, high-spec insulation, thermally broken bi-fold doors, and triple-glazed roof lanterns are all significantly cheaper to install during the build than as standalone retrofit projects afterwards. We install PAS2035 compliant insulation as standard on every extension; additional energy efficiency upgrades can be included in your fixed-price quote.

Have a question not covered here? Our team is happy to discuss your property and what's possible — speak to us at a free, no-obligation site survey.

Ask Our Team
Free Survey — No Obligation

Ready to Start Your House Extension?

Book your free, no-obligation site survey today. We assess your property's suitability, confirm the right extension type, check your planning position, and provide a fixed-price quote — all at no cost. We aim to provide your quote within 72 hours following your free survey.

TrustMark Registered
PAS2035 Compliant
Building Control Sign-Off
Full Project Management