
Types of Home Extensions
Expanding your home adds space without moving. A single story extension, loft conversion, or double story extensioncan transform your home—this guide explores the options, benefits, and key considerations.

Types of Home Extensions
Expanding your home is a great way to create more space without moving. Adding a single story extension, loft conversion, or double story extension can transform your home, but choosing the right design is key. This guide covers the different types of home extensions, their benefits, and what to consider before starting your project.
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Detached

Semi Detached

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Bungalow
Get an instant design quote
Where would you like to extend?

Detached

Semi Detached

Terrace

Bungalow

Single-story extensions
An economical option to grow your first floor area is by constructing a single-story extension. With this extra space, you can easily plan for a home office, an extra bedroom, a bigger kitchen, a spacious open-plan kitchen diner, or even a bootility room. These types of extensions facilitate better indoor-outdoor flow because of the bi-fold doors, and significantly increase the value of a home. Although building permission is not always required, meeting building regulations is essential. A thoughtfully designed extension improves the overall appeal of the house while meeting modern requirements.
Single-story extensions
An economical option to grow your first floor area is by constructing a single-story extension. With this extra space, you can easily plan for a home office, an extra bedroom, a bigger kitchen, a spacious open-plan kitchen diner, or even a bootility room. These types of extensions facilitate better indoor-outdoor flow because of the bi-fold doors, and significantly increase the value of a home. Although building permission is not always required, meeting building regulations is essential. A thoughtfully designed extension improves the overall appeal of the house while meeting modern requirements.


Double-story extensions
A double-storey extension is an effective way of adding space to your home without the hassle of relocation. Be it bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen or an office; any aspect of your home can be altered to be more satisfying with the help of two-storey extensions. The extensions can either be to the side or rear, utilizing the garden area in the former and creating a wider layout with the latter. Though there are certain restrictions and conditions around planning permission, the investment pays off with the increase in value and functionality of a house. A thoughtfully crafted two-storey extension not only makes your home more spacious, but also captures it design-wise.
Double-story extensions
A double-storey extension is an effective way of adding space to your home without the hassle of relocation. Be it bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen or an office; any aspect of your home can be altered to be more satisfying with the help of two-storey extensions. The extensions can either be to the side or rear, utilizing the garden area in the former and creating a wider layout with the latter. Though there are certain restrictions and conditions around planning permission, the investment pays off with the increase in value and functionality of a house. A thoughtfully crafted two-storey extension not only makes your home more spacious, but also captures it design-wise.


Wrap-around extensions
Combine a side extension with a rear extension to create an L-shaped design that is perfect for maximizing area with wrap-around extensions. These extensions are great for office rooms and dining rooms, and are a perfect fit for local kitchens that need more space. These extensions are best suited for ground level alterations because of their unique design. A wrap extension is just as easy to add compared to a single-storey extension; planning permission, roof options, and overall construction are smooth to carry out regardless.
Wrap-around extensions
Combine a side extension with a rear extension to create an L-shaped design that is perfect for maximizing area with wrap-around extensions. These extensions are great for office rooms and dining rooms, and are a perfect fit for local kitchens that need more space. These extensions are best suited for ground level alterations because of their unique design. A wrap extension is just as easy to add compared to a single-storey extension; planning permission, roof options, and overall construction are smooth to carry out regardless.


Porch Extensions
Porch extensions make the entrance your home more functional and appealing without changing much. Even if it is not required, you can use it for additional porch storage of coat and shoes. It can be designed to be open or enclosed, meaning an extension does not always require planning permission. To add on, a porch is sure to create a warmer welcome. When done correctly, a porch extension enhances the design of the property, as well as, insulation and security.
Porch Extensions
Porch extensions make the entrance your home more functional and appealing without changing much. Even if it is not required, you can use it for additional porch storage of coat and shoes. It can be designed to be open or enclosed, meaning an extension does not always require planning permission. To add on, a porch is sure to create a warmer welcome. When done correctly, a porch extension enhances the design of the property, as well as, insulation and security.


Outbuilding & Annex Extensions
An annex or outbuildings is a perfect home addition that can match whatever purpose you would like to use it as, such as a guest bedroom, home office, gym, or even as a self- contained living unit. Unlike an extension, these can be attached or separate from the house. Even if you might need permission depending on the size and intended use of the annex, many still consider these permitted development. An annex, when designed well, will give your home additional beauty and innovative usage of space.
Outbuilding & Annex Extensions
An annex or outbuildings is a perfect home addition that can match whatever purpose you would like to use it as, such as a guest bedroom, home office, gym, or even as a self- contained living unit. Unlike an extension, these can be attached or separate from the house. Even if you might need permission depending on the size and intended use of the annex, many still consider these permitted development. An annex, when designed well, will give your home additional beauty and innovative usage of space.


Loft Conversions
Converting a loft is a great way to adjust an underused area and increase the overall value of your property. By doing this, the potential of your property is strained without having to extend outwards. Different kinds of transformations such as dormer, hip-to-gable, or mansard conversions can be done to fit your needs. While many loft conversions fall under permitted development, building regulations should always be followed in order to ensure safety and structural integrity. This also allows for an increase in both the space design and functionality. A well-designed loft conversion is a perfect balance to your home.
Loft Conversions
Converting a loft is a great way to adjust an underused area and increase the overall value of your property. By doing this, the potential of your property is strained without having to extend outwards. Different kinds of transformations such as dormer, hip-to-gable, or mansard conversions can be done to fit your needs. While many loft conversions fall under permitted development, building regulations should always be followed in order to ensure safety and structural integrity. This also allows for an increase in both the space design and functionality. A well-designed loft conversion is a perfect balance to your home.


Garage Conversions
Converting a garage is another from a cost point of view. It increases the property’s value and practically, all while improving the aesthetics of the home. Sometimes it can be as simple as adding an office, play room, or gym to make the house more livable. Alongside that, it is done without having to extend the property or gain permission. Similar to lofts, there are regulations that alter proper insulation, ventilation, and structural integrity. Regardless of the reason for wanting to convert a garage, the design has to be appropriate to the house for it to blend suitably.
Garage Conversions
Converting a garage is another from a cost point of view. It increases the property’s value and practically, all while improving the aesthetics of the home. Sometimes it can be as simple as adding an office, play room, or gym to make the house more livable. Alongside that, it is done without having to extend the property or gain permission. Similar to lofts, there are regulations that alter proper insulation, ventilation, and structural integrity. Regardless of the reason for wanting to convert a garage, the design has to be appropriate to the house for it to blend suitably.

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frequently asked question
Please complete an enquiry form and submit your details. We will call you within 1 working day. If we can get through we will email you instead.
We are based in Wickford but we cover the whole of Essex and some part of London.
Prices start at £1,195.00 and go up to £2,995.00
Permitted development for house extensions allows homeowners to build specific types of extensions without needing planning permission, provided they meet government-defined size and location criteria. As part of our architectural design service in Essex, we ensure your extension complies with these regulations. Additionally, we assist in obtaining a certificate of lawfulness, giving you legal confirmation that your project falls within permitted development rights
Get in contact with usb either calling, emailing, requesting a callback or completing an enquiry form. We are very quick at responding to enquiries.
Use ours is the short answer. We don’t have many as they are hard to come by, but the ones we do, won’t let you down.
Always the architect first if you want sound advice on what steps to take first. Kirkwood will advise on build costs in Essex as part of our service.
A certificate of lawfulness (COL) for a house extension is an official document that verifies the legality of a proposed or existing extension. It is also referred to as a lawful development certificate (LDC).
Here are some of the areas we cover for our architectural design service
Braintree
Colchester
Danbury
Epping
Frinton-on-Sea
Grays
Harlow
Ingatestone
Kelvedon
Laindon
Loughton
Latchingdon
Maldon
Mountnessing
Ongar
Pitsea
Rochford
Safron Walden
South Woodham Ferrers
Stansted
Shoeburyness
Southminster
Shenfield
Tilbury
Tiptree
Thundersley
Waltham Abbey
Westcliff-=n-Sea