Planning a House Extension
A house extension can change the way you use and enjoy your home. Whether you need a larger kitchen, an open-plan family space or an extra bedroom, extending can give you the space you need without moving.
At Orvis Builders, we know that planning an extension can initially feel daunting. There are drawings to consider, planning requirements to understand, budgets to work out and the important decision of choosing the right builder.
We’ve put together this straightforward guide to help you understand the main stages and what to consider before work begins.
Start With What You Need From Your Home
Before thinking about drawings or planning applications, consider what you want the extension to achieve.
Perhaps your kitchen feels too small when everyone is home. Maybe you need another bedroom, a home office or a utility room. You might want a brighter living space with doors opening onto the garden.
Think about how you use your home now and what frustrates you about the existing layout. It also helps to look ahead: a well-planned extension should work for your family as your needs change.
When you speak to us, explaining how you want to use the space gives us a useful starting point for discussing your project.
Consider the Different Types of Extension
Once you know what you want to achieve, you can explore the different ways your home could be extended.
Common options include:
- Single-storey rear extensions: often used for larger kitchens, dining rooms and open-plan family spaces.
- Side extensions: a way to make use of available space alongside a property.
- Wraparound extensions: combining side and rear extensions to create additional ground-floor space.
- Two-storey extensions: adding space upstairs and downstairs, potentially providing bedrooms and bathrooms alongside larger living areas.
- Front extensions and porches: creating additional space around the entrance to your home.
The best option will depend on your property, available land, budget and what you want the finished home to provide.
Our house extension projects include single-storey extensions in Fulbourn, Soham and Somersham, as well as two-storey extensions in Cambridge. Looking at completed work can help you consider the possibilities for your own property.
Have Your Plans Drawn Up
An architect or architectural designer can turn your ideas into drawings showing the proposed size, layout and appearance of the extension.
Clear plans help you visualise the finished project. They also provide the information needed for planning applications, Building Regulations and accurate quotations.
At Orvis, we can work from drawings prepared by your chosen architect. If you do not yet have drawings, we also work closely with a trusted architect who can help.
This is the stage to think carefully about natural light, window and door positions, storage, furniture placement and how the extension will connect with the existing house. These decisions help make sure the new space works for everyday life.
Check Whether You Need Planning Permission
Some house extensions can be built under permitted development rights, provided they meet specific limits and conditions. Others require a planning application.
The position depends on your property and the proposed work. Restrictions may apply, and previous extensions can affect what is permitted. Check with your architect or local planning authority before assuming you can proceed without an application. The Planning Portal’s extension guidance explains the main considerations.
Allow time to establish the necessary approvals before arranging a start date.
Understand Building Regulations
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate matters. Even if your extension does not require a planning application, it will normally still need Building Regulations approval.
The requirements cover areas such as structural stability, insulation, fire safety, ventilation, drainage and electrical work. Inspections take place during construction as part of the building control process. You can find further information in the [Planning Portal’s Building Regulations guidance for extensions](https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/extensions/is-building-regulations-approval-needed-for-an-extension).
Discuss the approval and inspection arrangements with your project team before work starts.
Budget for the Complete Project
Your budget needs to cover more than the main construction work.
Depending on your project, it may need to include:
- Architectural drawings and planning fees
- Structural calculations and Building Control fees
- Groundworks and construction
- Windows and external doors
- Kitchens, bathrooms and fitted items
- Flooring and decorating
At Orvis, we price from architectural drawings and the agreed specification. The internal finishes you choose will affect the overall cost, so it helps to establish these requirements early.
Large areas of glazing, bespoke kitchens, underfloor heating and premium flooring should all be accounted for when setting your budget.
Keep a contingency available for unexpected work or changes you decide to make during the project.
Choose a Builder You Can Communicate With
Price matters, but it should not be the only consideration when choosing a builder.
Your building team may be working in and around your home for several months. Look at previous projects, read reviews and ask how the work will be managed, who will be on site and what is included in the quotation.
If one quotation appears significantly cheaper than another, check that you are comparing the same work and specification.
At Orvis Builders, we manage the construction process and coordinate the specialist trades involved, giving you a consistent point of contact as the build progresses. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and discussing decisions throughout the project.
Prepare for Disruption at Home
Building an extension involves noise, dust, deliveries and tradespeople coming and going. Planning for this makes day-to-day life easier once work starts.
Discuss site access, deliveries and the point at which the existing house will be opened into the extension. If you are extending your kitchen, there may be a period when it cannot be used, so you may need to make alternative arrangements.
Ground conditions and access also deserve attention early on. Our Soham extension project shows the site preparation and foundation work that happens before the new space starts to take shape.
We keep you informed as construction progresses so you understand what is happening and what comes next.
Make Key Decisions Early
Windows, doors, kitchens, sanitaryware, flooring, tiles and lighting may seem a long way off when foundations are being dug, but some items have long lead times.
Making these choices early helps reduce avoidable delays. It also gives you time to consider how the materials and finishes will work together.
If you want to change something once construction is underway, discuss it with us as soon as possible so we can explain any implications for the work, cost and programme.
Discuss Your Extension With Orvis Builders
A well-planned extension can give you a more useful kitchen, additional bedrooms or living space that connects better with your garden. The starting point is understanding what you need and working through the practical details.
Orvis Builders carries out house extensions across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Miles meets clients to discuss their ideas and provide quotations, while directors Aaron and Robert bring their building and bricklaying experience to the work on site.
Whether you already have architectural drawings or are still considering your options, we’re happy to discuss what you want to achieve.
Take a look at our house extension services and completed projects, or contact Orvis Builders to discuss your plans, location and proposed timeframe.