The utility does
Extension cost.
- Thread starter pete01
- Start date
If it's the sole source of light to the kitchen that adjoins that utility room then I suppose they could argue that it is indirectly a window to a habitable room.
But if it hasn't been there for 20 years then that may mean it has no right to light anyway. In which case who knows... should it be assessed based on where their kitchen window was before they built the utility onto it? Edit: Or is this window their original kitchen window? In which case it's a habitable room despite the new internal wall if it's a wall that allows light through.
Is this a planning permission application? If so speak to them. I had objections to mine, with a list of tenuous nonsense reasons for objections. I phoned the planning officer, I just asked if it made any difference to anything. He said no, it's still being approved. So I didn't need to bother even thinking about their arguments, just ignore it and move on.
But if it hasn't been there for 20 years then that may mean it has no right to light anyway. In which case who knows... should it be assessed based on where their kitchen window was before they built the utility onto it? Edit: Or is this window their original kitchen window? In which case it's a habitable room despite the new internal wall if it's a wall that allows light through.
Is this a planning permission application? If so speak to them. I had objections to mine, with a list of tenuous nonsense reasons for objections. I phoned the planning officer, I just asked if it made any difference to anything. He said no, it's still being approved. So I didn't need to bother even thinking about their arguments, just ignore it and move on.
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For a quick sanity check: outside London, single-storey build costs in 2026 are running at roughly £1,800–£2,800 per m² for a standard finish, with the shell alone at about £1,200–£1,700 per m². A full-width extension on a typical semi is about 6m × 4m = 24m², so the build-only range is roughly £43k–£67k, and £45k sits at the bottom of that. So it's not a cowboy price if the builder is known to you, but it will be a tight spec, so check what's excluded: foundations in bad ground, floor insulation and screed, electrics, plumbing, the bifolds themselves, and making good inside.
Add fees (architect, structural engineer, building control, around £5–10k), a 10% contingency, and VAT if the quote is ex-VAT. That's usually what turns a £45k quote into £70k+ by the end.
If it helps, I put the 2026 per-m² rates and the extras into a free calculator so you can see the full range for your size: https://uktoolcalc.uk/extension-cost-calculator/
Add fees (architect, structural engineer, building control, around £5–10k), a 10% contingency, and VAT if the quote is ex-VAT. That's usually what turns a £45k quote into £70k+ by the end.
If it helps, I put the 2026 per-m² rates and the extras into a free calculator so you can see the full range for your size: https://uktoolcalc.uk/extension-cost-calculator/
Thats the house and the circled window into a utility is what they think it might block...
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
What height are you building up to? Also how far out? If it's a single storey but with a pitch running up to just under your upstairs window sills then they'll lose a fair bit of light.
But... don't you have a similar window that the side of their building blocks? Don't all the houses in your street have a similar situation? The only reason they have light is because the row happens to be staggered here. Also they've built an extension that's up to their upstairs window sills so they're trying to stop you doing exactly what they've already done.
I'd hope that planning will politely say they've weighed everything up and they can stick their stupid objection where the sun doesn't shine.
But... don't you have a similar window that the side of their building blocks? Don't all the houses in your street have a similar situation? The only reason they have light is because the row happens to be staggered here. Also they've built an extension that's up to their upstairs window sills so they're trying to stop you doing exactly what they've already done.
I'd hope that planning will politely say they've weighed everything up and they can stick their stupid objection where the sun doesn't shine.
the £2k/sqm rule above is about right in most of the uk from what ive seen. thing that catches owners out is whats actually inside the £45k, if its brickwork, roof, windows, bifolds and plastering as quoted thats fine, but double check whether electrics first fix, plumbing first fix and screed are in or extra. a lot of extensions get quoted at one price for the shell and then second fix (bathroom, kitchen, flooring, decorating) is still to come. ive been on jobs as a bathroom fitter where the owner thought it was turnkey and ended up with another 10-15k to find after. worth asking the builder for a line-by-line of whats in and whats out, saves arguments later.
Pitch would go upto benth the windows.
4m roughly to the wall
Its been bricked up
Yes but theirs isnt 4m....I still think it's petty.
Me too, but we've changed it now and we are gonna go for a 3m less hassle....can that be objected to?
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