England
Rear extensions in County Durham
We design and build rear extensions across County Durham, from Darlington and Hartlepool to Stockton-on-Tees, covering single-storey kitchen extensions, two-storey additions, side returns and wraparounds.
What are homes in County Durham like to extend?
Brick terraces, colliery houses and post-war semis make up much of County Durham. Former mining areas often need a coal mining risk check before foundations are designed.
Rear extension prices in County Durham
North East prices are among the lowest in our range; former mining ground is the main foundation variable. Per square metre including VAT, standard specification:
| Extension | Per m² |
|---|---|
| Single-storey rear extension | £1,710–£2,790 |
| Two-storey (per m² across both floors) | £1,620–£2,430 |
| Side return | £2,070–£3,420 |
| Wraparound | £1,980–£3,240 |
| Glass-led | £2,520–£4,320 |
Planning and building rules in County Durham
In England a single-storey rear extension can often be built under permitted development: up to 3 metres beyond the original rear wall of an attached house, or 4 metres on a detached house, no higher than 4 metres, with eaves no higher than 3 metres if any part is within 2 metres of a boundary.
England also has the larger home extension route: a single-storey rear extension of up to 6 metres on an attached house or 8 metres on a detached house, after prior approval from the council. The council notifies your neighbours and has 42 days to decide; the fee is £249 (£310 for applications made from 8 December 2026). The route is not available on designated land such as conservation areas.
Every rear extension in England needs Building Regulations approval, whether or not planning is needed. You can use the council's building control service or a registered building control approver, by full plans (checked before work, usually within five weeks) or a building notice, and you get a completion certificate at the end.
The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies in England: you serve notice two months before work to a shared wall, and one month before digging foundations within 3 metres (or 6 metres for deeper foundations) of a neighbour's building. Neighbours can agree in writing; if they dissent, surveyors agree an award.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent.
Rear extensions we build in County Durham
- Single-storey rear extensions
- Two-storey rear extensions
- Kitchen-diner rear extensions
- Side return extensions
- Wraparound extensions
- Glazed and glass-box rear extensions
- Rear extensions for terraced houses
- Rear extensions for semi-detached houses
- Rear extensions for detached houses
- Rear extensions for bungalows
- Flat-roof rear extensions
- Pitched and lean-to roof rear extensions
- Knocking through to a rear extension
- Roof lanterns and rooflights for rear extensions
- Permitted development rear extensions
- Larger home extension prior approval (England)
- Rear extension plans and planning applications
- Building Regulations for rear extensions
Towns and districts in County Durham
The main places we cover in County Durham include Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, across postcode areas DH, DL, SR and TS.
| Town | Postcode districts | Nearest town we also cover |
|---|---|---|
| Darlington | DL1, DL2, DL3 | Newton Aycliffe (6.6 miles) |
| Hartlepool | TS24, TS25, TS26 | Peterlee (7.2 miles) |
| Stockton-on-Tees | TS17, TS18, TS19 | Billingham (1.8 miles) |
| Durham | DH1 | Spennymoor (5.5 miles) |
| Chester-le-Street | DH2 | Washington (3.7 miles) |
| Houghton-le-Spring | DH4, SR3, SR4 | Hetton-le-Hole (1.7 miles) |
| Billingham | TS23 | Stockton-on-Tees (1.8 miles) |
| Stanley | DH9 | Annfield Plain (1.7 miles) |
| Consett | DH8 | Annfield Plain (3.7 miles) |
| Newton Aycliffe | DL4, DL5 | Bishop Auckland (4.9 miles) |
- Darlington
- Hartlepool
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Durham
- Chester-le-Street
- Houghton-le-Spring
- Billingham
- Stanley
- Consett
- Newton Aycliffe
- Bishop Auckland
- Seaham
- Peterlee
- Spennymoor
- Hetton-le-Hole
- Annfield Plain
Areas near County Durham
FAQ
Questions people ask
How much does a rear extension cost in County Durham?
As a guide, £1,710–£2,790 per square metre including VAT for a standard single-storey extension at North East England rates.
Do I need planning permission in County Durham?
Often not for a single-storey rear extension of up to 3 metres (4 metres on a detached house) under permitted development, or up to 6 or 8 metres with prior approval, unless the house is in a conservation area or its rights have been removed.
Which towns in County Durham do you cover?
16 towns and districts, including Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees.
Do you handle building control?
Yes. We apply to the council or a registered building control approver and hand over the completion certificate.