Essex
Building Regulations for rear extensions in Essex
Construction drawings, structural calculations and building control through to the completion certificate. Rear extensions in Essex: we cover 32 towns including Southend-on-Sea, Basildon and Colchester, with design, approvals and the build under one contract.
Essex mixes Victorian terraces with 1930s semis, so both side returns and full-width kitchen extensions suit houses here.
What does it cost in Essex?
As a guide, £2,500–£5,500 including VAT. We put a fixed price in writing once the design is agreed, and explain any provisional sums such as foundations.
What approvals does it need in Essex?
Planning and Building Regulations are separate in England: even a permitted development extension is inspected for foundations, drainage, structure, insulation, fire safety and ventilation, through the council or a registered building control approver, ending with a completion certificate.
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 Essex do we work?
- Southend-on-Sea
- Basildon
- Colchester
- Chelmsford
- Harlow
- Grays
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Clacton-on-Sea
- South Benfleet
- Canvey Island
- Billericay
- Rayleigh
- Stanford-le-Hope
- Wickford
- Witham
- Pitsea
- Maldon
- Waltham Abbey
- South Ockendon
- Harwich
- Hadleigh
- Walton-on-the-Naze
- Frinton-on-Sea
- Rochford
- Saffron Walden
- Tilbury
- Chafford Hundred
- Chigwell
- Halstead
- Buckhurst Hill
- Epping
FAQ
Questions people ask
Full plans or building notice?
Full plans for most extensions: the design is checked before work starts. A building notice suits only simple jobs.
Who inspects the work?
The council's building control team or a registered building control approver (in Scotland, the council's building standards team).
What is a completion certificate?
The document confirming the work meets the regulations. Keep it; buyers' solicitors ask for it.
Do you cover all of Essex?
We cover 32 towns and districts in Essex, including Southend-on-Sea, Basildon and Colchester.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.