How to Build the Perfect Extension and What to Avoid

Anyone who has undertaken such a project knows that the process is not without its challenges, but don’t automatically assume that it’s impossible, even if the property is listed. “The best way to preserve these homes is to ensure their continued use and enjoyment. Planners and conservation officers know this,” says architect Darren Price of ADAM Architecture. “If the layout is no longer fit for purpose because it was designed for a time when we lived differently, then there is reason to make changes provided that the perceived benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks.”

High inflation, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have pushed up the price of building materials. Prices are now stabilising, but labour shortages remain a problem. ONS figures show there are now 244,000 fewer workers in the construction sector than three years ago, due to some returning to the EU or taking early retirement.

This is having an impact on projects. In 2023, the number of planning permissions granted for property developments in England was 160,000, down 30% from the pandemic peak in 2021. “The higher the house prices in an area, the more financially sensible it is to extend, which means London and the South can also generate more value compared to the Midlands and the North,” says Frances McDonald, research director at Savills. Here are some striking examples of how to get it right.

Two-storey extension

Old School, Somerset

A 1,450 sq ft/135 sq m extension over two floors with three bedrooms and three bathrooms Bindloss Dawes Architects