Home improvement guides
Planning, Building Regulations, costs and how to choose a builder — explained plainly.
Do I need planning permission for an extension?
Often not. Many single-storey rear and side extensions in England are permitted development, so no planning application is needed, provided they stay within set limits on size, height and position. Flats, conservation areas, listed buildings and homes with Article 4 directions follow stricter rules, and you still need Building Regulations approval either way.
How much does a house extension cost in the West Midlands in 2026?
As a typical range, a single-storey extension in the West Midlands costs around £2,000–£2,900 per m² in 2026, including VAT. A 20 m² rear extension often comes to £40,000–£58,000 before a new kitchen. Two-storey extensions cost less per m² but more overall. Drawings, approvals and finishes can add several thousand pounds.
Which loft conversion is right for me: Velux, dormer, hip-to-gable or mansard?
It depends on your roof and how much space you need. A Velux (roof light) conversion keeps the roof shape and costs least. A rear dormer adds the most usable space for the money. Hip-to-gable suits semis and detached houses with a hipped roof. A mansard gives the most room but usually needs planning permission.
How do Building Regulations work for homeowners?
Building Regulations are minimum standards for structure, fire safety, energy, ventilation and electrical safety. They apply to most building work in England, even when planning permission isn't needed. You show compliance through a building control body, using full plans or a building notice, or by using a registered competent person installer. Either way, you should get a certificate.
When do I need a party wall notice?
You need to serve notice if you plan to work on a wall you share with a neighbour, build a new wall at the boundary, or dig foundations within 3 m of a neighbour's building and deeper than theirs (within 6 m in some cases). It is a legal duty under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, separate from planning.
What happens when a new kitchen is fitted, and how long does it take?
A straightforward like-for-like kitchen usually takes one to two weeks on site, from strip-out to the final connections. Moving the sink, knocking through a wall or waiting for stone worktops can stretch that to three or four weeks or more. Most delays are avoided by settling the design, deliveries and services before the old kitchen comes out.
Bathroom or wet room: which should I choose?
A standard bathroom with a bath or shower tray suits most homes and usually costs less. A wet room, a fully waterproofed room with a level-access shower draining through the floor, suits accessibility needs and small spaces but costs more and needs careful floor work. Both must meet the rules on electrics, ventilation and drainage.
What rules apply when I replace my windows and doors?
Replacement windows, and external doors that are more than half glazed, must meet the Building Regulations. That means Part L energy limits, at least the same ventilation and means of escape as before, and safety glass in critical areas. The work is certified by a registered installer, through a scheme such as FENSA or CERTASS, or by building control.
What are the rules for a new driveway?
You can usually lay a new driveway without planning permission if the surface is permeable, or if rainwater runs onto a lawn, border or soakaway within your property. A non-permeable front driveway over 5 m² that drains onto the road needs planning permission. If you will drive across a pavement, you also need your council's permission for a dropped kerb.
How do I choose a builder and avoid cowboy traders?
Get at least three written, itemised quotes for the same job, check the trader's identity and insurance, agree a written contract with stage payments, and don't pay most of the cost up front. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 entitle you to work done with reasonable care and skill, and often a 14-day right to cancel.
Looking for a term? See the home improvement glossary.
Ready for a free survey?
Tell us about the job and we'll arrange a visit, measure up and give you a written, itemised quote.