Expanding your house to transform it into a warm and welcoming family home can seem like a daunting endeavour, especially when space feels limited. Kent, with its diverse array of homes, offers a unique canvas for house extensions. Whether you own a brand-new build, an iconic Kentish residence, or a charming seaside escape, a house extension can be the key to realising your dream home.

A Vision Realised by Design

At Craymanor by Lamorbey Ltd, we specialise in crafting your vision into reality. Our commitment to your project begins with free architectural drawings and a comprehensive home feasibility study. This initial step allows us to offer expert guidance on the most suitable type of house extension for your property and budget. Here are the various options available:

1. Side Return Extension: Utilise the alleyway on the side of your house to create additional living space, expanding your possibilities.
2. Rear Extension: Create a family-friendly open-plan area for quality time and gatherings.
3. Wrap-Around Extensions: These combine the benefits of side return and rear extensions, optimising the ground floor’s available space.
4. Kitchen Extensions: Fulfil your dream of an open-plan kitchen that becomes the heart of your home.
5. Double-Story Extensions: Ideal for those seeking to maximise their home’s available space.
6. Loft Conversions: Transcend the conventional use of your loft and enhance your living space.
7. Garage and Kitchen Extensions: Repurpose underutilised spaces into functional and enjoyable areas.
8. Conservatories: Infuse your living space with light and the beauty of your garden.

Kent’s architectural diversity, from modern eco-homes to historic medieval houses, necessitates consideration of local regulations. Listed buildings and conservation areas require special attention. If your property falls into one of these categories, acquiring planning permission is essential. It’s always prudent to verify the local regulations with your planning office. Rest assured, we boast a 98% success rate in securing planning permissions from the local authorities in Sidcup and beyond.

Why Choose Craymanor by Lamorbey for Your Kent House Extension?

At Craymanor, we provide end-to-end services, ensuring your project is executed seamlessly. Our fixed-price house extensions guarantee no unpleasant surprises. However, any deviations from the agreed-upon contract during the project may result in additional charges. We offer:

• Fixed prices
• Design and planning
• Project management
• The actual construction of your extension
• Dedicated customer service

We’ve been at the forefront of transforming houses across London and Kent. Our designs usher in maximum natural light, and we utilise every available space in a functional manner. Kitchens become culinary dreamscapes, utility rooms increase efficiency, and bedrooms radiate peace and comfort.

The cost of a house extension in Kent varies based on your objectives, the build’s size, materials, and the type of extension. On average, the cost range for extension builds is as follows:

• Side Return Extension Kent: £35,000
• Rear Kitchen Extension Kent: £40,000
• Wrap-Around Extension Kent: £55,000
• Double Story Extension Cost Kent: £75,000 and beyond

Unlocking Possibilities, Expanding Dreams

Side return extensions in Kent significantly enhance your home’s value by optimising previously unused spaces. These extensions are strategically built on the side and rear of your home, turning annoying wasted spaces into capacious, well-lit rooms.

Our expertise in creating kitchen extensions in Kent has gained recognition. Whether your project is a large kitchen extension or a smaller rear kitchen extension, we’ve consistently delivered customer satisfaction. Explore our kitchen extension portfolio for a glimpse of what’s possible.

Kent’s unique homes, diverse in history and style, offer a rich landscape for house extensions. Whatever your vision, we’re here to turn your dream into a reality.

Unlock the potential of your Kent home today with a house extension by Craymanor.

As you your family starts to grow and you gather more and more household stuff over the years, the house may start to feel a bit cluttered making you wish you could simply extend your house.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of moving house or cannot afford to buy a bigger one, a house extension would probably be your best bet.

When it comes to home extensions, you’ve got two broad options – building outwards or building upwards. In this post, we share our top four ideas to extend your house outwards.

Major Benefits of Building Outwards

Building outwards might be a costlier option compared to extending a house upwards because there will be fewer structural elements that you need to consider. But if building upwards isn’t something you envision, the next best option is to expand the house outwards. And usually, there will be fewer disturbances to the house this way – you won’t need to vacate your home while the work is being carried out. Finally, extending your house outwards may help your entire family get a great outdoor area to relax and socialise.

4 Effective Ideas to Building Outwards

Side and rear extensions are the two most sought-after options among homeowners, who choose to extend their homes outwards. Here, we’ve included our top five picks including both options to help you choose from.

#1 Build a Sunroom

Despite the terms “conservatory” and “sunroom” are often used interchangeably, they’ve got distinct differences in purposes. While conservatories are ideal for gardening, sunrooms are built to add more living space to a house. You need to separate a conservatory from the main house to lower energy loss. A sunroom, also known as a solarium, is an extension having big glazing areas along with one insulated wall and an insulated roof. You can open a sunroom to the rest of your home and unlike a conservatory, its temperature can be easily regulated.

#2 Go For a Kitchen Extension

A kitchen extension is one of the most popular side house extensions because it not only helps to create a more inclusive house but you can use it for multiple purposes as well. A well-designed and airy extension can transform the look and feel of your existing kitchen instantly while providing you with additional space. You can also choose to include bi-fold doors to improve the ventilation of the house and give it that impressive look.

#3 Add a Bathroom

 

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This is a popular rear extension idea that not only helps to meet your growing needs but increases the value of the house too. But remember, if you’re doing a bathroom extension just to add to your home’s value, it’d be good as long as it’s well-designed and well-maintained. The addition of things like bold colours, metallic features, skylights, etc can easily help you achieve a stylish bathroom.

#4 Add an Office Space

There are many people who struggle to work from home without distractions. If you too belong to this league, adding a new office space could be the best rear extension idea for you. There are lots of innovative ideas that you can consider for this purpose. From multipurpose storage boxes to unique bookshelves – various things can be added to the new space so that it can be utilised by the whole family. You can also try to place your desk next to a window if that might add to your productivity.

Parting Thoughts

Despite its advantages, building outwards might be the perfect solution if you’ve got enough area, using which won’t take up your garden space. If you feel that the available spare space in your house may not be enough to execute the above extension ideas, consider talking to a reputable builder or architectural design consultant to transform your ideas into reality as you extend your house.

In this post, we’re going to discuss the key factors that determine your house extension cost.

Undeniably, when it comes to increasing a home’s existing space, a house extension is the most popular and effective option. It not only makes a home more spacious but more functional as well.

For any homeowner who is thinking of extending their home, the first thing to do is set the right budget for your house extension.

Of course, you’ll need to hire a cost consultant or contact a reputable builder for a free home feasibility study to get accurate cost estimates but understanding the following factors beforehand would help you set the right expectations right from the start as house extension costs can vary.

Factors That Contribute To Your House Extension Cost

Specifications

In any house extension project, specification is one of the biggest factors that can dramatically impact the total cost. The quality of products, materials and the kind of finishes you want to have are probably the first thing you’d want to consider while making these calculations.

If you list top-quality fittings and finishes in your specifications, the cost is likely to be a lot more than what standard-quality materials will cost you. It pays to be realistic.

Type of Extension

You probably know already that there are many different types of home extension projects that can be executed. From basement and rear extensions to side extensions and loft conversions, with kitchen and bathroom layouts to consider – a lot can be achieved if you’ve got the area and the money.

It is always a good idea to research what type of house extension will work best with the existing layout of your house because this will have a direct impact on the cost. For example, a garage extension or a simple loft conversion will cost significantly less than the addition of an annex or a glass extension. A basement extension would probably cost much more.

Number of storeys

It’s important to note that larger extensions would help you get the maximum out of your investment, thanks to economies of scale.

Assuming you’ll be keeping the same specifications, a two-storey extension would not cost more (per metre square) compared to a single-storey extension. This is because you will still need to add floor joists and walls in both cases to build the foundations and the roof.

Some homeowners opt to have a two-storey extension instead of a single-storey because it is better value when it is possible. What you need to remember is in the case of a two-storey extension, the overall cost will be higher, but your cost per metre square will be lower, comparatively.

Location

If your house is in an upscale neighbourhood, you are likely to spend more on extension costs because you may want your house to blend in with other pricey houses in your estate.

On the other hand, if the house is situated in a gated community, there might be restrictions on modifying the facades of the homes. For example, you might be limited to executing only rear house extension projects or make use of the backyard space, so it doesn’t tower over other people’s backyards.

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The above factors will consume most of your house extension budget, there are several other factors to consider as well. These may include architectural consultant fees, structural engineering costs, and planning application fees, to name a few.

Additionally, you will pay VAT on materials and labour at a standard rate as part of your house extension cost.

If you’re up for it, you may want to manage your house extension project yourself. Taking such a route will definitely help you lower your house extension cost dramatically, but you should expect to invest a considerable amount of time and effort to ensure everything goes smoothly.

On the other hand, hiring a chartered building company and consultancy means the team you hire will be responsible for the entire project – from contacting individual trades to get the best deals to monitoring the work and ensuring timely completion, minimising the disruption to your home life.

Remember, it is wise to obtain 3-4 quotes from reputable local builders before selecting the one you think will deliver on your vision. If we are local to you, that may be us!

If you need a pricing guide and are based in or near Sidcup/Bexley/Kent, give us a call or drop us a line.

Planning to move to a bigger space? Considering what type of house extension is right for you? Why not opt for a double storey expansion?

Not only will it transform the way your house looks, it can also easily accommodate the needs of a growing family. Living large doesn’t have to be too expensive either because double storey expansions are also known to be cost-effective as compared to investing in a bigger property and they add value to your property. 

Why add a double storey extension?

The main reason that people opt for double storey extensions is the amount of space it affords them. The reasons may differ, be it space for family, a home office, a need for a larger living space, or simply upgrading your house for luxurious living. 

Consider your needs and priorities. Do you need more storage space or a bigger kitchen? Are you looking to add bedrooms or a nursery for your children? You may need more space over two floors or a spacious balcony. You may even want to add a guest room or a master bedroom if that accommodates your needs. If your priority is luxury living, you may want to add a home cinema or a games room.

How do I design a two-storey extension?

Keeping in mind all your needs, you can plan both the storeys in your home. Design the house according to how much space you have, and what will work for you. 

For instance, on the ground floor, if you are building a large kitchen, then you can use some amount of space for storage purposes. On the second storey, you can decide to have your master bedroom, or two bedrooms, and add a bathroom and shower to one of these rooms.

When adding the upper storey, make sure its design and interiors match the lower storey. Use similar elements and colour schemes to keep the design harmony. Even if the same materials can’t be used, you can use those that match the lower storey, or even use a design that makes it blend in perfectly. 

Make sure that the stairway to the upper storey is designed keeping the new additions in mind, and you can also use them for storage. 

Work with an architectural design consultant to ensure that there is enough natural light in the house, and there are no compromises made on the space you have for your garden. You must be careful while deciding exactly where you wish to extend the space. Keep your budget in mind while planning the extension and the designs and make use of free home feasibility studies to get professional advice.

What about planning permissions and building regulations?

Not all double storey extensions will require planning permissions.

For instance, a detached or semi-detached property may not need permissions and have certain restrictions based on maximum height, footprint, materials, location, etc.

You may also have to take permissions to build a verandah or a balcony in your house. Again, if you choose an experienced builder, they will have ties with the authorities because of their track record of successfully obtaining planning permissions.

However, if your property is terraced or is in a designated area, you are required to seek planning permission. Usually, you require launching a planning application, if:

• The extension is taller than 4m
• It includes a raised veranda or a balcony
• It covers more than half the area of land surrounding the house
• It extends more than 6m from the rear of an attached house
• It extends more than 8m from the rear of a detached house
• It extends towards a road
• It is more than half the width of your house
• It increases the overall height of the building
• The extension is built using different materials as compared to those of the original house.
  

Your double-storey extension is also subject to building regulations, and you are required to get building regulation documents approved by the local authority’s building control department. The building regulations cover fire safety, structure, site preparation, toxic substances, resistance to contaminants and moisture, ventilation, soundproofing, hygiene, waste disposal, access, conservation of fuel and power, glazing, and electrical safety. Make sure you have taken all the requisite planning permissions before you start building your extension.

How much does a double storey extension cost?

To give you a rough idea right off the bat, a typical good quality double storey extension will cost you £1,300 to £1,800 per square metre, and the total cost starts at around £40,000 if the size of your extension is 30 m2. But the cost of adding a two-storey extension to your house varies greatly depending on your specifications, just as you would expect. 

The size, complexity and location all factor into your cost for this as well, but as a rule, it will be more cost-effective than moving houses and cheaper per square metre than a one-storey extension. Now, if both the storeys or floors in the extension are the same size, the two-storey extension tends to cost 50-75% more than the one-storey. 

Adding a fitted kitchen can add £8,000 to £15,000 to your costs, a bathroom £4,500 to £9,000, and then of course, the area of the extension factors in greatly as well, as you can see below. 

Build time is another thing to consider, which will vary based on the efficiency of labour, weather conditions, Covid-related tier restrictions in your local area, the size of the extension and whether multiple pieces of work can be scheduled simultaneously. Of course, if you want a quicker turnaround, your builders can add more labour at an additional cost to you to finish a 10-12 week double extension project in 8-10 weeks, but it is best not to rush delicate work.

Typically speaking, a 30 m² double extension takes 8-10 weeks, a 60 m² one takes 10-12 weeks, and a 100 m² two storey extension will take 12-14 weeks to complete, and the cost will increase based on your desired build time. 

You should also consider fees and costs of adding underfloor heating, new boiler system if required, any surveyor or architect fees, and planning fees or certificates needed for lawful development. 

There is a lot of work and effort that goes into adding a double storey extension to your property so the best thing to do is to find an experienced local builder that offers integrated services (such as architectural design) under one roof to give you the best advice.

If you are based in Kent, especially if you are in or near the Sidcup area, you should definitely consider Craymanor because we have been doing this work for over 30 years now.

The original 2013 Larger Home Extension scheme (after May 2019) is now here to stay.

Initially the 2013 government scheme was introduced to encourage and improve the building economy and expected to last for a temporary period of 3 years. The scheme is now made permanent and householders will be able to permanently build larger single storey rear extensions under permitted development planning rights.

The size limits of the larger home extension scheme remain increased from 4 meters to 8 meters for detached houses and from 3 meters to 6 meters for all other houses.

The new larger extensions must go through the following process:

• The new home owner must notify the local planning authority with plans and the description of the work they propose.
• The local authority may ask for further information about the impact of the development on the adjoining properties.
• The local authority must serve a notice on adjoining owners who share a boundary; this will give the address of the proposed development and describe the extent of the proposed extension. The notice will also set out, amongst other things, how long neighbours have to make objections, and a copy of this notice will also be sent to the Architect.
• If an adjoining neighbour raises an objection within the notification period the local authority will take these comments into account and make a decision on whether the impact on the adjoining property is acceptable.
• If the local authority refuse their consent for the Larger Extension the Architect or customer may appeal. However here at Craymanor Limited we work closely with council planning officers and clients to maximise the chances of approval for any planning application under this scheme.

There are other planning matters which need to be formalised but are not discussed here with the exception to confirm that it is no longer a requirement for home extensions to be completed within any set time frame.

Where larger home extensions are wanted by our clients it is always possible that neighbours may object to extensions that would be to the maximum 6 or 8 meters deep; this is particularly relevant where houses are terraced or semi-detached as the impact on adjoining properties can be quite considerable.

Therefore, it is imperative that any design proposal properly takes into account the impact on the adjacent neighbours and only to submit applications that are realistic and have proper regard to any negative impact on neighbours.

The architectural and building staff at Craymanor Limited are experts in all of the home extension planning processes and have an excellent 98% success rate in all planning applications we undertake, including those under the Larger Home Extension scheme.

Please feel free to contact us here at Craymanor Limited for a completely free, unbiased home visit or telephone consultation.

“Our Building Excellence Awards are all about the essence of good buildings. Our finalists are not judged on architectural beauty, but on the ‘Excellence’ shown from a construction and technical building control point of view. Our awards recognise not just buildings but celebrate their design and constructions teams that have tussled with technical issues, difficult sites and found innovatvie and creative solutions.”

Before deciding to extend your property, there are a few basic essentials of extension projects that every conscientious homeowner should be aware of.

House extensions without planning permission

Traditional house extensions offer plenty of flexibility when it comes to location and size. House extensions can often fall under permitted development and may not require planning permission. However, some of the more complex alterations, such as side house extensions, have a bigger impact on the appearance of the street scene and will need planning permission. The application needs to be submitted in advance and can take a several months to obtain the necessary permission.

This extension has created an additional lounge at ground floor level together with an additional bedroom, master bathroom and ensuite at first floor level together with an external dormer to the loft space. This was achieved by using reclaimed materials of matching colour and texture, paying particular detail to construction techniques and external finishes.

House extension or conservatory

Which is the best solution for you and your property? Most importantly, as a general rule, an extension will add more to the financial value of your house should you ever decide to sell it.
At a later date it may be possible to add a glass conservatory to your house extension (but rarely the other way around). In many cases, the total cost of adding a proper conservatory is cheaper than building an extension. However, whilst house extensions have to be fully insulated, heating a conservatory throughout the winter period can be expensive. Therefore, your running costs and heating bills will be lower with a house extension than with a conservatory. A free site visit from our building surveyor here at Craymanor Ltd will allow for a discussion to help you determine the best solution for you and your budget. The ground where foundations are to be laid may also be a source of additional material costs – poor soil may require deeper foundations for adequate support. Extensions built on clay soil tend to be less expensive unless there are large trees very close to the extension.

This client had previously instructed Craymanor Limited to undertake an impressive two storey side extension and then went on to instruct us to carry out a fantastic loft conversion enabling the creation of two bedrooms and bathrooms at second floor level together with access to a steel and glass framed balcony.

Addressing the floorplan: the practicality of a bathroom

If your house extension project includes at least one extra bedroom, it is sensible to allow for at least one full bathroom per floor. Larger households can benefit from bedrooms with en-suites (a full bathroom usually accompanies the master bedroom). House extensions are the chance to provide additional bedrooms according to the needs of your family, however this should ideally be balanced out by adding a number of bathrooms.

For help with house extensions in Kent and across the South East or to request a bespoke quote, please complete our contact form or call us on 020 8302 4415.

There are numerous reasons why someone can be looking to plan an extension to their home. Many of those might include the fact you are trying to find additional living area, you might be attempting to add value to your present home before the sale or you may be looking to change the appearance or performance of the property. These elements might vary but the construction process undertaken is fairly straightforward.

Applying for Planning Permission

It is generally the case that home owners are often concerned by the concept of extending their home for a number of reasons. The regulations and laws surrounding planning rules frequently confuse people, either in relation to the expense or how to comply with the regulations. Therefore it is essential that a contractor employed to carry out works is also able to provide reliable advice in the complex regulation process in acquiring planning permission and building regulation approval (some house extension projects falling under permitted development rights where planning permission is not required but will often still require building regulation approval).

Get Your Builder to Help

Reputable contractors will offer detailed information and support in obtaining all necessary planning and building regulation approvals. Contractors who offer comprehensive and detailed assistance will advise on the type of extension that would suit a homeowner, whether it be a loft conversion, kitchen extension or a single/double storey house extension, giving advice and guidance on the necessary requirements needed to meet with planning and building regulations.

An experienced contractor can also offer guidance on the way extensions and conversions are laid out, maximising usable floor space so that the homeowner does not sacrifice more than they are gaining from their extension or conversion. And of course at all times having an eye on the aesthetic and architectural appearance of any new extension.

Another important factor when considering a conversion or extension work is that the homeowner has sufficient facilities. Adding bedrooms to a home implies that there will be an increased requirement and necessity for additional bathrooms or shower rooms and many people also opt for a family bathroom together with an ensuite and a ground floor toilet adding further usability to their homes.

The above highlights the necessity of securing the services of a trusted, local builder who will offer help and support and in Craymanor Limited’s case, will undertake the whole process of design through to build from start to finish. A local builder will have in depth knowledge of the area, local authority requirements and quality suppliers of materials which can only be beneficial in achieving the desired outcome of a gorgeous home extension or conversion, representing excellent value for money.

For extension and conversion projects in Kent and South East London call our team now on 020 8302 4415 where all at Craymanor Limited are a well known and trusted Architectural Consultant and Builders with over 30 years experience in building extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions and kitchen extensions in Kent.