Hertfordshire
Larger home extension prior approval (England) in Hertfordshire
Up to 6 m (attached) or 8 m (detached) deep, after neighbour consultation. Across Hertfordshire we handle the whole rear extension: survey, drawings, the planning route, building control and the build. Towns we cover here include Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage.
Hertfordshire mixes Victorian terraces with 1930s semis, so both side returns and full-width kitchen extensions suit houses here.
How much does a prior approval rear extension cost in Hertfordshire?
Guide prices for a prior approval rear extension in Hertfordshire start from our East of England rate of £2,010–£3,290 per square metre, including VAT. 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) | £24,000–£39,500 |
| 4 m wide × 5 m deep (20 m²) | £40,500–£65,500 |
| 4 m wide × 6 m deep (24 m²) | £48,500–£79,000 |
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 in Hertfordshire?
If 3 or 4 metres is not enough, England's prior approval route allows 6 metres on a terraced or semi-detached house and 8 metres on a detached house for a single-storey rear extension. Neighbours are consulted, the council decides within 42 days, and the fee is £249, rising to £310 from 8 December 2026.
Conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads restrict permitted development, and listed buildings always need listed building consent.
Where in Hertfordshire do we work?
- Watford
- Hemel Hempstead
- Stevenage
- St Albans
- Welwyn Garden City
- Cheshunt
- Hatfield
- Bishops Stortford
- Borehamwood
- Hitchin
- Hoddesdon
- Letchworth Garden City
- North Watford
- Harpenden
- Bushey
- Hertford
- Rickmansworth
- Potters Bar
- Berkhamsted
- Ware
- Enfield Lock
- Royston
- Croxley Green
- Broxbourne
- West Watford
- Batchworth
- Tring
- Chorleywood
- Codicote
- Baldock
- Abbots Langley
- Waltham Cross
FAQ
Questions people ask
How deep can I go with prior approval?
6 metres on attached houses and 8 metres on detached houses, single-storey only, up to 4 metres high.
Can my neighbours stop it?
They can object; the council then judges the effect on their amenity. Many schemes are approved after objections.
What happens after 42 days?
If the council has not decided, you can proceed. We still recommend waiting for written confirmation where possible.
Do you cover all of Hertfordshire?
We cover 32 towns and districts in Hertfordshire, including Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.