Dorset
Flat-roof rear extensions in Dorset
Warm flat roofs with lanterns, parapets and long-life membranes. Across Dorset we handle the whole rear extension: survey, drawings, the planning route, building control and the build. Towns we cover here include Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.

Flat roofs are the usual choice for rear extensions because they stay below first-floor windows and take a lantern neatly. Dorset has Victorian terraces nearer the centre and post-war semis on the edges. Sloping gardens are frequent, which affects floor levels and steps down to the patio.
How much does a flat-roof rear extension cost in Dorset?
In Dorset, our guide for a flat-roof rear extension is £1,980–£3,220 per square metre including VAT for a standard specification. South West prices run slightly above our West Midlands baseline; natural stone to match the house is the main variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 3 m wide × 4 m deep (12 m²) | £23,500–£38,500 |
| 4 m wide × 5 m deep (20 m²) | £39,500–£64,500 |
| 4 m wide × 6 m deep (24 m²) | £47,500–£77,500 |
These are guide ranges; the written quote after the survey is the figure that counts.
Do you need planning permission in Dorset?
Under England's householder permitted development rules you can usually add 3 metres at the back of an attached house, or 4 metres on a detached house, without a planning application, as long as the extension stays under 4 metres high and its eaves stay under 3 metres where it is within 2 metres of a boundary.
New fabric must meet Approved Document L (2021 edition incorporating 2023 amendments): walls 0.18, roof 0.15 and floor 0.18 W/m²K, windows 1.4 W/m²K or Band B. Under the simple route, new windows, doors and rooflights should not exceed 25% of the extension floor area plus any openings removed; more glass is possible with a whole-house calculation.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent.
Where in Dorset do we work?
FAQ
Questions people ask
How long does a flat roof last?
A well-built single-ply or GRP warm roof typically lasts 25 years or more.
Is a flat roof really flat?
No; it is built to falls so water drains to outlets or gutters.
Can I walk on it?
Not as a balcony without planning permission and a guarding design; it can be accessed for maintenance.
Do you cover all of Dorset?
We cover 14 towns and districts in Dorset, including Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.