Let’s Talk About Space That Works
A house extension isn’t just extra bricks – it’s a rethink of how you live.
Maybe the kitchen feels cramped. Maybe the kids have taken over. Or maybe your home just doesn’t flow anymore.
The right extension fixes that. The wrong one drains money and light.
So, let’s go through every major type – what it’s good at, what it’s not, and who it’s actually for.
We’ve built house extensions across South London – from an L-shaped extension in Lewisham to a Living Space extension in Dagenham – and here’s what experience says works.
Start With Your Goal, Not the Blueprint
Before choosing an extension type, nail down what you need it to do.
Here’s the cheat sheet:
| Goal | Best Extension Types | Why |
|---|---|---|
| More family space | Single-storey, double-storey | Cheapest way to expand living + sleeping space |
| Better flow & light | Side return, wraparound, rear | Brings in natural light + garden access |
| Add value | Double-storey, loft | Increases usable area with good ROI |
| Home office/gym | Loft, garage conversion | Quieter, separate zones |
| All-season sunroom | Orangery, conservatory | Adds charm + light without full build cost |
You don’t start with “I want a wraparound.”
You start with “I need light, storage, and somewhere my teenagers can shut a door.”
Single-Storey Extensions: The Everyday Hero
When it works: You want a bigger kitchen or a family room that opens to the garden.
When it doesn’t: You already fill most of your garden, or the house is on a slope.
A single-storey extension gives instant impact. It’s versatile, and often falls under Permitted Development.
Add rooflights or bi-fold doors, and suddenly your kitchen feels like it borrowed daylight from Spain.
Pro tip: Don’t just push the wall out – replan the whole ground floor flow. It costs the same to fix poor layout later as it does to fix bad wiring.
Double-Storey Extensions: Space With Strategy
If you know you’ll need an extra bedroom eventually, skip the half-measure and go two floors up.
It costs about 50–60% more than a single-storey, but adds twice the space. You’ll need planning approval, but you’ll thank yourself when your teenager stops camping in the living room.Good to know: Align bathrooms vertically to save thousands on plumbing and structure.
Wraparound Extensions: The Big Re-Think
This one’s for people ready to redesign the way they live.
It merges a side return and a rear extension, wrapping the house in an L-shape.
Upside: Huge open-plan potential.
Downside: Structural steels and drainage costs go up.
Best for: End-of-terrace or corner plots where you can stretch both ways.
If your budget allows, it’s the ultimate modern layout – kitchen, diner, snug, all in one light-filled zone.
Side Return Extensions: The Terraced Secret Weapon
Every South London terrace has a wasted alley along one side.
Fill it in, and you get up to 2 m of new width – enough to turn a galley kitchen into a showpiece.
Keep in mind:
- You’ll lose a bit of garden path.
- Roof glazing stops it feeling dark.
- Party Wall notices are almost always needed.
These builds are PD-friendly and quick. Great ROI if done smartly.
Rear Extensions: Where Indoors Meets Outdoors
Perfect for garden-facing family rooms.
Use wide sliders, matching floor levels, and similar finishes to blend indoor and outdoor.Smart detail: Align roof drainage and use continuous thresholds for easy access – especially useful for families or anyone planning long-term accessibility.
Kitchen Extensions: The Heart Remodel
Think of it as a “function upgrade.” Most homeowners don’t just want more kitchen, they want better kitchen flow – prep, dine, and social zones.
Combine a single-storey or side return with modern utilities (underfloor heating, zoned lighting, extractor placement).
If you’re already knocking walls down, run new electrics and plumbing together – it saves future chaos.
Garage Conversions: Low-Cost, High-Use Space
One of the quickest wins if you don’t need the garage for parking.
Turn it into a home office, gym, or spare room – no planning required in most cases.
Just insulate properly and raise the floor to meet the rest of the house.
We’ve fixed too many “DIY” conversions that felt colder than a bus stop.
Loft Conversions: Space Without Losing Ground
If your roof has the height (2.2 m+ clear), a loft conversion is usually cheaper per m² than extending outward.
Best for: Bedrooms, studies, or guest suites.
Bonus: Doesn’t eat garden space, keeps Permitted Development rights on your side.
Pick a dormer for usable headroom, or a mansard if you want to match the street’s roofline.
Orangeries & Conservatories: Light Done Right
Both add brightness and style – but they serve different lives.
- Conservatory: Mostly glass, quick to build, cheaper, but too hot or cold seasonally.
- Orangery: Brick piers + roof lantern, higher insulation, feels part of the house.
If you want year-round use, choose an orangery. If you want a summer lounge, go conservatory.
Planning in South London: Know Your Patch
Each borough has quirks:
- Southwark: Strict on height near boundaries.
- Lewisham: Design-led; loves materials that “blend.”
- Greenwich: Watch for conservation area overlays.
- Bexley & Bromley: Family-home heaven but expect Article 4 directions in some zones.
Get local advice early. Permitted Development rights sound simple – until they’re not.
Budget Basics: What Actually Affects Cost
Forget “price per square metre” as gospel. Real costs depend on:
- Structure – the fewer steels, the cheaper.
- Access – tight terraces add labour time.
- Finishes – sliding doors cost more than walls.
- Services – rewiring, plumbing reroutes, heating zones.
- Professional fees – design, planning, and regs.
We tell clients to add 10–15 % contingency. Not because we’re pessimists – because buildings hide surprises.
How To Choose the Right Extension for You
Here’s the quick-decision grid:
| Situation | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growing family | Double-storey | Bedrooms + open kitchen below |
| Small garden | Loft conversion | Adds up, not out |
| Narrow terrace | Side return | Gains width + light |
| Work from home | Garage / Loft | Quieter + faster build |
| Value boost | Double-storey / Loft | Strongest ROI |
| Entertain often | Rear / Wraparound | Open-plan flow |
If two options fit, get quotes for both. Compare usable area, not just total square metres.
Why Rapid Bee Builds Better
We’ve been extending South London homes since 2015. We design, build, wire, and plumb – all in-house. That means fewer contractors, faster timelines, and zero “lost in translation” moments.
Our work stretches from Southwark’s tight terraces to Bromley’s detached homes, and every project gets the same focus: practical design, honest costs, solid craftsmanship.
FAQs
Which type adds the most value?
Loft and double-storey extensions lead the pack for resale value.
How long does it take?
Single-storey: 10–16 weeks.
Double-storey: 14–20 weeks.
Loft: roughly 12–16 weeks once approved.
Do I need planning permission?
Often not – Permitted Development covers many homes, but every borough has exceptions. We’ll check before you spend a penny.
How do I keep costs down?
Simplify the roof shape, choose standard glazing sizes, and finalise design before build starts. Changes mid-project cost twice as much.
Ready to Build What Fits You
No hype. No guesswork. Just straight advice from builders who know what works in South London’s real homes.
Book a free consultation
We’ll show you what your house can do – and how to make every square metre count.
Serving Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley & Bromley since 2015.
Rapid Bee – House Extensions in South London
