Plans 2 Extend Ltd

23/10/2026

Two problems. One project.

Not enough bedroom space upstairs. A kitchen that didn’t have the room to actually work in.

A double storey side extension solved both.

Extra bedrooms added above. The kitchen extended below, opening up into a proper space with an island, bifold doors onto the garden, and a rooflight flooding the room with natural light.

Two things that would’ve been two separate projects, handled in one.

The result speaks for itself.

An extension can fix more than one problem at once. Working out the best way to tackle both is where most people get stuck.

Give us a call and we’ll tell you the most sensible approach for your home.

Call us on 01942 466031

www.plans2extend.co.uk/get-started

22/10/2026

Planning approval lands and it feels like the hard part's done.

In a way, it is.

But there's still a fair bit that needs to happen before a builder sets foot on site.

Building Control drawings need completing.

The structural engineer's calculations need submitting.

Building Control approval needs to come through.

Then there's finding the right builder, getting proper quotes based on the approved plans, agreeing contracts, and locking in a start date.

Some materials have lead times of several weeks. That needs factoring in too.

From planning approval to breaking ground, you're typically looking at 6 to 12 weeks depending on the project.

Knowing that upfront means you can plan around it, rather than spending those weeks wondering why nothing seems to be happening.

If you want to understand your full timeline from planning to build, give us a call on 01942 466031.

20/10/2026

If a 2027 extension build is somewhere in the back of your mind, October is genuinely a good time to start talking about it.

Because the process takes around 6 months from first conversation to breaking ground, and that time goes faster than it feels right now.

Design, planning, Building Control, finding the right builder, agreeing contracts. Each stage follows the last. None of it runs in parallel.

A discovery call in October puts you in a strong position for a spring start.

You'll know if your idea is feasible, what it'll realistically cost, and exactly what needs to happen between now and breaking ground.

No pressure. No commitment. Just a clear picture of where things stand and what comes next.

If you'd like to map out your 2027 timeline while there's still plenty of room to plan properly, call us on 01942 466031.

19/10/2026

Planning applications cost more to submit now than they did a month ago.

The Planning Portal updated its pricing structure for householder applications in September.

Extensions, loft conversions, and full planning permission submissions now sit in a higher cost band.

Getting an application refused and having to resubmit means paying that again.
Which makes getting it right the first time more important than ever.

The Insider's Edge Guide to Planning Permission breaks down what councils actually look for, what gets applications flagged, and how to give your project the best chance of approval first time round.

Free.

And considerably more useful than going in blind and hoping for the best.

With application costs rising, understanding the process before you submit isn't just sensible.

It's money well saved.

Get your guide at https://plans2extend.co.uk/how-to-design-an-affordable-extension or call 01942 466031 to talk through what the planning rules mean for your specific project.

Discover how to design an affordable extension, find out how to secure planning permission the first-time round, and avoid cowboy builders when you’re ready

11/10/2026

Single storey or double storey.

It's one of the first questions people ask. And honestly, the answer usually comes down to what you're actually trying to solve.

Need more space to live, cook, and have people round?

Single storey.

Need a bedroom, a bigger bathroom, or room for a growing family?

Double storey.

Here's the bit most people miss.

A double storey gives you considerably more space per pound than doing a single storey now and a loft conversion later.

Two separate projects almost always cost more than one well-planned one.

The good news is it's not a decision you need to make alone, staring at a tape measure in the garden on a Sunday afternoon.

If you're not sure which direction makes more sense for your home and your life, give us a call on 01942 466031, and we'll help you work it out.

09/10/2026

2027 feels like plenty of time.

It isn't.

Not for an extension.

By the time designs are drawn, planning's gone through (roughly 12 weeks, give or take the council's mood that month), structural engineers are sorted, Building Control's approved, Party Wall notices are served, a builder's found, and contracts are signed...

You're looking at around 6 months. Minimum.

And that's before anyone's lifted a shovel.

Which means a spring 2027 build needs the process to start now.

Not after Christmas. Not in the new year.

Now.

A discovery call is where it starts.

We'll map out your timeline, tell you what needs to happen and when, and give you an honest picture of whether spring is still realistic.

If spring 2027 is the goal, call us today on 01942 466031 before the window gets any tighter.

08/10/2026

Adding square metres doesn't always feel like adding space.

Extensions that end up feeling cramped, dark, or awkward usually come down to the same handful of things.

Not enough light.

Small windows or no rooflights make a space feel closed in, even when it's technically bigger.

Low ceilings. Even a large room feels tight with a low ceiling. Going higher where you can makes a noticeable difference.

Poor layout. If the space doesn't suit how you actually live, the extra square metres don't help. And sometimes the answer isn't adding more. It's reconfiguring what you already have.

No connection to the garden. Extensions that turn their back on outdoor space feel boxed in.

Bifold doors or well-placed glazing create flow and make rooms feel bigger than they are.

Good design isn't just about what fits on the plans. It's about how the space actually feels to live in.

If you want an extension designed to feel as good as it looks, call us on 01942 466031.

06/10/2026

🎶 Music to my ears 🎵

This is a HUGE project where our client is adding a full new floor on an existing bungalow 🏠

Receiving messages like this from our clients is why we get up and at em every morning!

Perfecting the design on paper means a smooth build ✏️

There’s a no copy & paste template law in our office & it goes to show how important a bespoke
Building regulation drawing is ❌

Don’t be attracted by cheap plans, it will cost you in the long run 💰

06/10/2026

There are two sets of drawings involved in a home extension.

Planning drawings and Building Control drawings.

They do completely different jobs.

Planning drawings go to the council.

They show what the extension looks like, where it sits on the plot, and how it relates to the street.

Green light from the council, job done.

Building Control drawings are the technical ones.

Building Control drawings are the technical ones.

They show how the extension is actually built, not just what it looks like.

Structure, foundations, drainage, fire safety.

The things a planning officer never sees but a building inspector checks at every stage.

You need both. And one doesn't cover the other.

Knowing that upfront means no delays, no surprises, and no unnecessary costs from figuring it out later than you should have.

Want to know exactly what your project needs and when? Give us a call.

📞 Call us on 01942 466031

05/10/2026

Something changed on 3rd September that's worth knowing about.

The Planning Portal updated its pricing structure for householder applications.

Extensions and home alterations now sit in a higher cost band than before.

This is the Planning Portal's own service charge, separate from the council's planning application fee.

What this means is if your application gets refused and needs to be resubmitted, that charge applies again, which makes getting it right the first time more important than it's ever been.

It also makes the case for starting sooner rather than later.

The longer a project sits on the back burner, the more expensive the starting gun becomes.

We're actively looking at alternative submission routes.

Some local planning authorities still accept applications directly, which sidesteps the portal charge entirely. Where that option is available, we'll use it.

It's not a reason to panic.

But if you've been sitting on an extension idea, this is a decent nudge to get the conversation started.

Give us a call on 01942 466031 and we'll walk you through exactly what your application will involve and what it'll cost.