House extensions in Watford and Hertfordshire
Rear, side return, wraparound and two storey extensions, built by one team from the first trench to the last coat of paint.
Most of our extensions open the back of the house into a kitchen-diner: a steel goalpost lifted in by crane, blockwork and brick to match, a warm flat roof with a roof lantern or roof lights, and Crittall-style or bifold doors onto the garden.
Because William is a qualified electrician and our own team handles the groundwork, steel, roofing, plastering and joinery, you deal with one person from start to finish. No chasing separate trades, no gaps in the programme while you wait for the next one to turn up.
We'll tell you early whether your plans are likely to fall under permitted development or need a planning application, work to your architect's and structural engineer's drawings, and book the building control inspections at each stage.
“WS Contractors Ltd turned our ideas into a beautifully executed project. Professional, reliable, and transparent throughout.”
House extensions: common questions
Do I need planning permission for a rear extension?
Often not. Many single storey rear extensions fall under permitted development: up to 3m deep on a semi or terrace and 4m on a detached house, or up to 6m and 8m under the prior approval scheme. Conservation areas, flats and previously extended homes have different rules. We'll give you a straight answer after the site visit, and Building Regulations approval is needed either way.
How long does a single storey extension take?
A typical single storey rear extension takes around 10 to 14 weeks on site, depending on size, steelwork and how much of the existing kitchen is being changed. You'll get a week by week programme before we start.
Can we stay in the house during the build?
Usually, yes. We keep the build sealed off from the rest of the house until the final knock-through, keep a working kitchen or temporary sink going where we can, and clear the site at the end of every day.
Do I need a party wall agreement?
If you're digging foundations near or building on a wall shared with a neighbour, the Party Wall Act means notices must be served before work starts. We'll flag it at the survey so it doesn't hold up your start date.
House extensions near you
We cover Watford and the towns around it.
- Watford
- Bushey
- South Oxhey and Carpenders Park
- Rickmansworth
- Abbots Langley
- Kings Langley
- St Albans
- Harrow
- Northwood
Other services
Talk to us about your project
Free site visit, then a written quote broken down by stage. We reply the same working day.