Chelmsford, Essex
Bungalow rear extension in Chelmsford
Thinking about a bungalow rear extension in Chelmsford? Single-storey rear extensions that keep everything on one level. Our team handles the drawings, the planning route and the build, and your contract is with one company throughout.
Chelmsford is covered from our Essex round, including CM1. For bungalows in Essex, a rear extension is the usual way to add space without adding stairs.
Book a free site visit
Tell us about the house and we'll call to arrange a free, no-obligation visit.
How much does a bungalow rear extension cost in Chelmsford?
In Chelmsford, our guide for a bungalow rear extension is £1,960–£3,180 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. East of England prices run slightly above our West Midlands baseline; clay soils near trees are the main foundation variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 3 m wide × 4 m deep (12 m²) | £23,500–£38,000 |
| 4 m wide × 6 m deep (24 m²) | £47,000–£76,500 |
We put a fixed price in writing once the design is agreed, and explain any provisional sums such as foundations.
Do you need planning permission for a bungalow rear extension in Chelmsford?
The planning route for a bungalow rear extension in Chelmsford is set by England's householder rules and your council.
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.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent. We check your house's planning history and any conservation area before drawing, so the route is clear before you spend on plans.
What are homes in Chelmsford like to extend?
Post-war semis and newer estates are typical of Chelmsford, and many have room for a full-width extension. Shrinkable clay is common in the East of England, so foundations near trees and hedges are designed to NHBC-style depth guidance.
How a bungalow rear extension in Chelmsford comes together
Look round and measure
A free visit to see the back of the house, measure it, check the drains and boundaries and hear what you need.
Design and guide price
Two or three layout options with a guide price for each, so you choose the design knowing what it costs.
Approvals
Permitted development check, prior approval or planning application, then Building Regulations drawings and structural calculations, plus party wall notices where they apply.
Fixed price and build
A written price for the agreed design, a start date and a named contact through the build, ending with the building control completion certificate.
Bungalow rear extensions near Chelmsford
Neighbouring places we cover include Billericay (7.7 miles) and Witham (8.5 miles).
- Bungalow rear extension in Billericay
- Bungalow rear extension in Witham
- Bungalow rear extension in Maldon
- Bungalow rear extension in Wickford
- Bungalow rear extension in Braintree
Other work in Chelmsford:
FAQ
Bungalow rear extension questions in Chelmsford
How long does a rear extension take to build in Chelmsford?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
Is the site visit in Chelmsford free?
Yes. We visit, measure up and talk through the options with no cost and no obligation.
Can a bungalow extension be fully accessible?
Yes: level thresholds, wider doors and a wet room are straightforward to design in.
Will I need a structural engineer?
Yes for the beam over the new opening and usually the foundations; we arrange them and their calculations go to building control.
What postcode areas do you cover around Chelmsford?
Including CM1, and the surrounding Essex area.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Chelmsford?
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.