County Durham
Rear extensions for semi-detached houses in County Durham
Single or two-storey extensions for semi-detached houses, with side access and one party wall. Across County Durham we handle the whole rear extension: survey, drawings, the planning route, building control and the build. Towns we cover here include Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees.
In Darlington we measure the attached neighbour's extension at the survey, because it often sets the sensible depth for yours. 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.
How much does a semi-detached rear extension cost in County Durham?
Guide prices for a semi-detached rear extension in County Durham start from our North East England rate of £1,710–£2,790 per square metre, including VAT. North East prices are among the lowest in our range; former mining ground is the main foundation variable.
| Size | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| 3 m wide × 4 m deep (12 m²) | £20,500–£33,500 |
| 4 m wide × 5 m deep (20 m²) | £34,000–£56,000 |
| 4 m wide × 6 m deep (24 m²) | £41,000–£67,000 |
Your written price follows a measured survey and an agreed design, so it reflects your house, not an average.
Do you need planning permission in County Durham?
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.
England's rules allow a rear extension of more than one storey without an application only when it is no deeper than 3 metres and at least 7 metres from the boundary opposite the rear wall, and never on designated land. Most two-storey schemes need householder planning permission.
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 County Durham do we work?
FAQ
Questions people ask
How far can I extend a semi without planning?
3 metres under permitted development in England, or up to 6 metres with prior approval, outside designated land.
Can I match pebbledash or render?
Yes. Many semis are refinished with new render across the whole back elevation so old and new match.
Single or two-storey on a semi?
Two-storey if you need bedrooms, single-storey if you need a bigger kitchen. Planning risk is lower for single-storey.
Do you cover all of County Durham?
We cover 16 towns and districts in County Durham, including Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees.
Who builds the extension?
Vetted building teams working under contract to us; your contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.