How Much Does a House Extension Cost in Dorridge?
Planning to extend your Dorridge property? Use Your Space has been building extensions throughout Dorridge and the surrounding villages for years. In 2025, most homeowners are spending between £70,000 and £165,000 depending on size and specification. Here's what you need to know about costs.
Current Extension Costs in Dorridge
Dorridge is one of the area's most desirable locations, and extension costs reflect both the quality expectations and the property values:
Single storey extensions cost £2,500-£3,200 per square metre. A compact 18m² extension runs £45,000-£58,000. A more generous 35m² space costs £87,500-£112,000.
Double storey extensions work out around £2,300-£2,900 per square metre. For a 45m² double storey (22.5m² per floor), expect £103,500-£130,500.
Wrap-around extensions that go along the rear and down the side are popular on Dorridge's larger properties. These substantial projects typically run £120,000-£165,000 depending on size and specification.
What Influences the Price?
Your Property
Dorridge has everything from Victorian villas to substantial modern detached houses. Each type has different requirements. Period properties need sympathetic materials and approaches. Newer builds are more straightforward but might have restricted building plots.
Specification Level
Standard spec uses decent materials and fittings. High spec means premium fixtures, underfloor heating, expensive glazing, quality kitchen units. The difference can be £20,000-£40,000 on a typical extension.
Kitchen or Living Space
A basic living room extension costs less than a fully-equipped kitchen. Add an island, integrated appliances, stone worktops, and quality units - that's an extra £15,000-£40,000 on top of construction costs.
Glass and Doors
Bi-fold doors cost £3,000-£10,000 depending on size and quality. Sliding doors are similar. Roof lanterns add £2,000-£8,000. Large format glazing isn't cheap, but it transforms spaces.
Typical Kitchen Extension Costs
Most Dorridge extensions are kitchen extensions. Here's realistic budgeting for a 32m² single storey kitchen extension:
- Main construction work: £80,000-£102,000
- Kitchen (good quality): £18,000-£40,000
- Flooring throughout: £3,500-£7,000
- Bi-fold doors (4m span): £5,000-£9,000
- Underfloor heating: £2,500-£4,000
- Lighting and electrics: £2,500-£5,000
Total: £111,500-£167,000
That's for quality work that matches Dorridge standards. You can shave costs with budget choices, or exceed it with luxury specifications.
Return on Investment
Dorridge property values are strong. Quality extensions typically add 10-20% to property value. Done right, you usually get your money back and then some.
Take a £650,000 Dorridge property. A £90,000 extension adding 15% value means £97,500 increase. You're £7,500 up on paper, plus years of better living space.
However, there's a ceiling. If surrounding properties are worth £650,000-£700,000, spending £180,000 on an extension might not return full value. We'll advise honestly on this.
Planning Permission Requirements
Some extensions fall under permitted development, others need planning permission:
Permitted development covers:
- Single storey rear extensions up to 6m (terraced/semi) or 8m (detached)
- Two storey extensions at least 7m from rear boundary
- Side extensions within certain limits
- Nothing exceeding roof height or extending beyond front wall
You need planning permission if:
- Outside permitted development limits
- In a conservation area
- Property has Article 4 direction
- Previous planning conditions apply
Planning applications cost £206 and take 8-12 weeks minimum. Solihull Council covers Dorridge, and we know their requirements inside out.
Building Regulations
Every extension requires building regulations approval. This isn't optional. Building control checks:
- Structural integrity
- Foundation depth and construction
- Insulation and thermal performance
- Drainage and waste
- Fire safety measures
Building control fees run £900-£1,600 depending on project size. Inspections happen at key stages. You get a completion certificate when finished, which you need for selling.
Project Timeline
Realistic timescales for a typical extension:
If planning permission needed:
- Planning application: 8-12 weeks
- Pre-construction: 2-3 weeks
- Foundations: 2-3 weeks
- Main build: 8-14 weeks
- Services (electrics, plumbing): 2-3 weeks
- Finishing: 3-4 weeks
Total: 25-40 weeks from planning submission to completion.
Under permitted development: Remove the planning time - looking at 17-28 weeks.
Weather delays things. Material supply issues delay things. Underground services in unexpected places delay things. We build buffer time into schedules.
Living Through the Build
Be realistic about what you're signing up for:
Expect:
- Builders arriving 8am most mornings
- Noise, dust, general disruption
- No kitchen for several weeks (if that's being extended)
- Constant small decisions needing making
- Skip outside your house
- Mud, mess, and controlled chaos
Some people:
- Stay with family during the worst weeks
- Rent somewhere short-term
- Set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house
- Just tough it out
We minimise disruption where possible, but it's still a building site. Can't escape that reality.
Additional Costs to Factor In
Beyond main construction, budget for:
- Party wall agreements if semi-detached (£1,200-£2,500)
- Architect or structural engineer fees (typically 8-12% of build cost)
- Kitchen appliances and units
- Flooring, decoration, finishing touches
- Landscaping to repair garden damage
- Contingency for unexpected issues (always add 10-15%)
Why Use Your Space?
We've built extensions across Dorridge for years. We understand local property types, we know what quality Dorridge homeowners expect, and we deliver work that adds genuine value.
We manage the entire project - design, planning, building regs, coordinating trades, managing timelines. You get clear communication, professional work, and a finished extension that enhances your home and your life.
If you’d like to discuss creating your dream home, then please get in touch.
The Complete Solution From UY S
Plumbing
From bathrooms to full wet rooms , we have you covered including tile work and underfloor heating solutions to make your new home extension stunning.
Design
We can work with existing plans or in house we can take care of the whole process from design, structural calculations and managing any permissions that maybe required.
Storage Solutions
From fitted wardrobes, media walls and helping our clients utilise every inch of space we can work with you to make the most of your new home extension.
Flooring
From comfy carpets to stunning herringbone flooring we have the resources to get your new floors covered.
