Chester-le-Street, County Durham
Single-storey rear extension in Chester-le-Street
Thinking about a single-storey rear extension in Chester-le-Street? Ground-floor space across the back of the house, usually for a kitchen, dining or family room. Our team handles the drawings, the planning route and the build, and your contract is with one company throughout.
Chester-le-Street and its postcode districts DH2 are part of our County Durham coverage. On brick terraces and colliery houses like those around Chester-le-Street, a single-storey rear extension is usually the simplest way to fix a small back kitchen without touching the bedrooms.
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 single-storey rear extension cost in Chester-le-Street?
For Chester-le-Street we work from the North East England rate: £1,710–£2,790 per square metre of new floor, including VAT, standard specification. 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 |
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 single-storey rear extension in Chester-le-Street?
The planning route for a single-storey rear extension in Chester-le-Street 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.
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. Before any drawing we look up the property's history with the council, because earlier extensions and removed rights change the answer.
What are homes in Chester-le-Street like to extend?
Brick terraces, colliery houses and post-war semis make up much of Chester-le-Street. Former mining areas often need a coal mining risk check before foundations are designed.
How a single-storey rear extension in Chester-le-Street 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.
Build and sign-off
We build to the approved drawings with regular updates, then hand over the building control completion certificate and any guarantees from suppliers.
Single-storey rear extensions near Chester-le-Street
Close by, we work in Washington, about 3.7 miles away, and Houghton-le-Spring, about 4.5 miles away.
- Single-storey rear extension in Washington
- Single-storey rear extension in Houghton-le-Spring
- Single-storey rear extension in Stanley
- Single-storey rear extension in Durham
- Single-storey rear extension in Hetton-le-Hole
Other work in Chester-le-Street:
FAQ
Single-storey rear extension questions in Chester-le-Street
How long does a rear extension take to build in Chester-le-Street?
Most single-storey rear extensions take 10 to 16 weeks on site and two-storey extensions 16 to 26 weeks, after design and approvals.
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension in Chester-le-Street?
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.
Does it add value to the house?
Nationwide's October 2025 house price research found that a 10% increase in floor area is linked to about 5% higher value on average. It is a guide, not a promise; local agents can tell you what extended homes on your street sell for.
Can I live at home while the extension is built?
Usually yes. Most of the work is outside until the back wall is opened near the end, and that stage is screened off.
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.
Can I get a price without a visit?
Our online guide-price tool gives a range in a couple of minutes. A written price needs a survey.