Single Storey Extensions
Ground floor extensions that transform your living space, open-plan kitchens, family rooms and garden rooms built to the highest standards across Stockport and Cheshire.
The Most Popular Way to Transform Your Home
A single storey extension is the most cost-effective way to add living space, from open-plan kitchen-diners to garden rooms. We've built hundreds across Stockport, Cheadle, Wilmslow and Cheshire.
No upper floor complexities, more space for less
Typically completed in 10 to 14 weeks start to finish
Many fall within permitted development rights
Popular Single Storey Design Ideas
Every single storey extension we build is unique. Here are some of the most popular layout ideas our clients choose to transform their homes.
Open-Plan Kitchen-Diner
Knock through your existing kitchen wall and extend outward to create a stunning open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space, the heart of the modern family home.
Garden Room & Orangery
A fully glazed or part-glazed garden room that blurs the boundary between inside and out. Perfect for entertaining, relaxing, or working from home with a view.
Family Living & Playroom
Create a separate, dedicated family room for children's play, TV, gaming, or simply a cosy lounge space, freeing up your main living room for adult relaxation.
Home Office & Studio
A dedicated, purpose-built home office or creative studio with separate access, proper insulation, and designed for productivity, far beyond a garden shed conversion.
Choosing Your Roof Style
The roof design of your single storey extension dramatically affects the look, light levels, and cost. Here are the main options we offer.
Flat Roof
The most cost-effective option. Modern flat roofs use single-ply membrane systems (EPDM or GRP) with a 25-year guarantee. They allow maximum internal ceiling height and are perfect for incorporating large roof lanterns or skylights.
Pitched / Tiled Roof
A pitched roof matches the style of most traditional British homes, creating a seamless extension that looks like it's always been there. Tiled to match your existing roof with proper ridge lines and valleys for a truly integrated finish.
Lantern / Glass Roof
A roof lantern or fully glazed roof section floods your extension with natural light from above. Available in aluminium or timber frames, they create a dramatic focal point and make even modest extensions feel spacious and airy.
Build Without Planning Permission
Many single storey rear extensions can be built under permitted development rights, meaning no planning application is needed, saving you time and money. Here are the key rules your extension must meet:
Up to 4 metres from the original rear wall for detached houses, or 3 metres for semi-detached and terraced homes. Under the Larger Home Extension scheme (prior approval), this can extend to 8m / 6m.
Maximum eaves height of 3 metres. Maximum overall height of 4 metres. If within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum height is limited to 3 metres.
The total area of ground covered by extensions and outbuildings must not exceed 50% of the total land area around the original house (excluding the footprint of the original house).
Materials used in the extension must be similar in appearance to the existing dwelling. No verandas, balconies, or raised platforms are permitted under PD rights.
Conservation areas, listed buildings, and some housing estates have restricted PD rights. We check your eligibility as part of our free site survey.
Week-by-Week Build Timeline
Here's a typical timeline for a single storey rear extension, so you know exactly what to expect at each stage of the project.
Groundworks & Foundations
Site set up, excavation, drainage diversions, and reinforced concrete foundations poured to structural engineer specifications.
Brickwork & Walls
Cavity wall construction with DPC, insulation, and steel beams installed. Openings formed for windows and doors.
Roof & Weatherproofing
Roof structure, insulation, and covering installed. Windows and doors fitted. Extension becomes watertight.
First Fix Services
Electrical wiring, plumbing, heating pipework, and underfloor heating installed before plasterboarding.
Plastering & Second Fix
Internal walls plastered, kitchen or bathroom fitted, sockets and switches installed, tiling and flooring laid.
Finishing & Handover
Final decoration, snagging, building control sign-off, and handover. External landscaping and patio works completed.
Single Storey Extension FAQs
Everything you need to know about single storey extensions, answered by our team.
How much does a single storey extension cost?
A single storey extension in the Stockport/Cheshire area typically costs between 1,800 and 2,800 per square metre, depending on the specification, roof type, and finishing level. A standard 20m· rear extension might cost 35,000-55,000 all in. We provide a fixed-price quotation after our free site survey.
How far can I extend without planning permission?
Under standard permitted development rights, you can extend up to 4 metres from the rear wall for a detached house, or 3 metres for semi-detached and terraced properties. Under the Larger Home Extension scheme (requiring prior approval notification), these limits extend to 8m and 6m respectively.
Which is best, flat roof or pitched roof?
Both have advantages. A flat roof is more affordable, allows greater internal headroom, and is ideal for incorporating roof lanterns. A pitched tiled roof matches most traditional homes and has a longer lifespan. We'll advise on the best option for your property during the design stage, many clients opt for a combination of both.
Will a single storey extension block light to my rooms?
Good design prevents this entirely. We use roof lanterns, skylights, and full-height glazing to flood both the new extension and existing rooms with natural light. The position and layout is carefully planned to maximise daylight penetration throughout, this is a core part of our design process.
Do I need a structural engineer for a single storey extension?
Yes. A structural engineer will calculate the foundation depths, steel beam sizes (for opening up walls), and lintel specifications. This is a building regulation requirement and is essential for the structural integrity of your extension. We arrange all structural engineering as part of our service.