Kirkwood is a leading provider of house extensions in Leigh-on-Sea.

Kirkwood designs and builds house extensions in Leigh-on-Sea, from single-storey kitchen extensions starting at £35,000 to double-storey projects starting at around £65,000. We handle the architectural design, the planning application through Southend-on-Sea City Council and the structural engineering, from conceptualisation to completion. Leigh-on-Sea, known for its coastal beauty, thriving arts scene, and vibrant community, offers an idyllic location for your house extension project.

Planning Permission for Extensions in Leigh-on-Sea

Leigh-on-Sea falls under Southend-on-Sea City Council, which is the planning authority for every extension application in the area. Whether you need an application at all depends on the property. Many homes near the seafront or inside a conservation area may not have permitted development rights, so it is worth checking the position for your street before you spend money on drawings.

Away from those restrictions, a single-storey rear extension of up to 3m on a semi-detached or terraced house, or up to 4m on a detached house, typically does not need planning permission. Larger or more complex schemes usually do. We check which route applies to your home and, where an application is needed, prepare it and submit it to Southend-on-Sea City Council for you. Our planning permission page explains the process in more detail.

Our Services

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Take a look at our recent work

A collection of homes Kirkwood have improved and extended in Essex

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House Extension Costs in Leigh-on-Sea

Cost is the first question most homeowners ask. The ranges below are the figures we publish in our cost guides, so you can see roughly where a project sits before you get in touch. Plans, drawings and professional fees are priced separately from the build.

Project type

Typical range

Notes

Single-storey rear extension

£26,000–£70,000

From a 3m × 3m to a 6m × 4m extension

Rear kitchen extension

£50,000–£80,000 or more

Kitchen diner with bifolding doors and a pitched roof

Double-storey extension

From around £65,000

Depends on size and layout

Loft conversion

Velux from £25,000; rear dormer £45,000–£70,000

Higher for hip-to-gable and Mansard conversions

Local example: Marine Parade, Leigh on Sea

£46,795 + VAT

4m × 5.5m extension

 

Your own figure will depend on size, roof type, glazing and finish. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide to house extension costs, or our loft conversion costs in Essex.

What our customers say...

Our team is here to help with an objective to improve your living space

Zoe Hatcliff
Another brilliant job completed. Thank you for never letting us down and completing within time frame. Won't hesitate to recommend you. Keep safe.
Vikki Thatcher
Helpful and friendly. Top notch work at reasonable prices. Would definitely recommend
Sam Jarman
Jamie and the team was great from start to finish. Would 100% recommend!
Arron Short
Fantastic job, great guys and a very happy customer. Couldn't be happier with my single story extension would highly recommend
Gary Baker
Jamie and the team at Kirkwood UK are professional punctual and extremely helpful 10/10 would recommend to anyone looking for a reliable builder
Olly Tait
Jamie and his team were so profesional from start to finish and made the job a joy to watch our dream come together. Very knowledgeable and contactable throughout the process. Couldn't ask for a better outcome and value for money. Will definitely be recommending and 100% will use again! 5 star!!!
Ben Turner
We used Kirkwood for our House Extension in Billericay, Essex. The project was managed by Jamie at Kirkwood and he took care of every step in the process. Kirkwood took care of the planning with their inhouse Architect, suggested a 3rd Party Building Control and right through to the build of the extension. This wasnt just an extension but a complete internal remodel. We are happy to recommend Kirkwood and in fact they have just completed a similar project at our neighbours house following our works.
Sandie
I highly recommend the Kirkwood team! Exceptional workmanship, clear communication, Jamie & his team have provided the utmost as a polite & professional team! Very satisfied customer, looking forward to planning our loft conversion this year with you guys! Many thanks!
Andrew Morgan
Fantastic service provided by Jamie and his team. Highly professional from start to finish, great communication with us throughout the project and wonderful attention to detail, making a tough project easier for us. Cannot recommend them highly enough.
Lindsay Alden
A very professional company who listened to our thoughts and plans for our driveway and brought them to life. We have recommended them to friends who have also in turn recommended them to others, so their work speaks for itself. We are looking forward to Kirkwood transforming our back garden later this year.
Claire C
Kirkwoods did a fantastic job if our garden after another company left us in the middle of the job with a building site for a garden. Jamie chatted through my plan with me and advised me regarding materials and the design. Their execution was exemplary as was their work ethic and reliability. I would not hesitate to recommend Kirkwoods to anyone.
Andrew Wiggins
We’ve used Jamie and his kirkwood team for various construction work over the years. We have also seen them first hand on what they can offer their clients. Professional, punctual and quality of workmanship is second to none. We look forward to either working alongside them and when we need them using there services once again to help us with our ongoing projects.
Ellis Warwick
Brilliant service throughout the whole project would definitely use again, Jamie spoke through all the plans and when completing the project it was done on time and to a very high standard
Frances Mulligan
Really pleased with everything. All work done to a high standard and at a fair price. Will definitely be recommending 👍

Looking for an Extension? Contact us today...

Get in touch with a member of our friendly team to find out more about our highly competitive prices. You can also get in touch should you have any questions about our range, prices, or any of our services. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need planning permission for a house extension in Leigh-on-Sea?

    Often not for a single-storey rear extension. Up to 3m on a semi-detached or terraced house, or 4m on a detached house, typically falls under permitted development. Properties near the seafront or in conservation areas may have restricted rights, and larger projects usually need a full application, so check your own property first.

  • Who is the planning authority for Leigh-on-Sea?

    Southend-on-Sea City Council. Any planning application for an extension in Leigh-on-Sea is made to the council, and its decision applies to the whole of the area.

  • How much does a house extension cost in Leigh-on-Sea?

    A single-storey rear extension typically costs between £26,000 and £70,000, depending on size, and a rear kitchen extension with bifolding doors and a pitched roof can run from £50,000 to £80,000 or more. Double-storey projects start from around £65,000. The table above and our house extension costs guide give the details.

  • How long does a house extension take in Leigh-on-Sea?

    For a single-storey rear extension, design takes around 2 weeks, the planning application 6–8 weeks, structural engineering and Building Regulations 2–3 weeks, and construction around 10–14 weeks. That adds up to roughly 20–28 weeks from the first design meeting to a finished build. Our guide on how long a house extension takes covers each stage.

  • Can Kirkwood handle planning permission for my Leigh-on-Sea extension?

    Yes. We check whether your extension needs planning permission, prepare the application and submit it to Southend-on-Sea City Council on your behalf. We also provide the architectural design and the structural engineering, so the application and the technical drawings stay consistent. The first step is a free Discovery Call.

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