PREMIER
BUILDING
CONTRACTORS

As a rough guide, a single-storey extension typically runs from around £2,000–£3,000 per square metre once finished, so a 3m x 4m extension often lands between £25,000 and £40,000, and a two-storey extension between £40,000 and £80,000+. The final figure depends on groundworks, spec and finish. We give a detailed written quote after a site visit so there are no surprises.

For most Cumbrian homeowners, extending works out cheaper than moving once you factor in stamp duty, estate agent fees, legal costs and removals — which can easily total £20,000–£40,000 before you gain any extra space. A well-designed extension also adds value to a home you already like, in a location you’ve chosen. Moving only tends to win when you need a fundamentally different property.

Many single-storey extensions fall under permitted development and don’t need full planning permission, within size limits — broadly up to 4m deep for a detached house or 3m for others, and no more than half the garden built on. Rules are stricter inside the Lake District National Park and for listed buildings. We handle the planning and building regulations side for you and advise early on what your project needs.

Ask to see recent work and speak to past clients, check they carry public liability insurance, get the quote in writing with a clear breakdown, and agree the payment schedule and rough timeline up front. A good builder will happily answer all of these. With 30+ years in Penrith, most of our work comes through recommendation, and we’re glad to put you in touch with previous customers.

Our initial quotes are free and with no obligation. For larger projects a deposit is usually asked for to secure your start date and cover initial materials — the exact figure is set out clearly in your written quotation, with the balance paid in agreed stages. We never ask for large sums of cash up front, and everything is documented.

Yes — green energy is one of our specialisms. We install air source heat pumps, solar panels and underfloor heating across the Eden Valley and Lake District, often as part of a wider renovation. A government grant of £7,500 is currently available towards air source heat pumps for eligible homes, which we can talk you through when we quote.

Heat pumps have a higher up-front cost than a gas boiler and work best in a well-insulated home with suitably sized radiators or underfloor heating, so some properties need upgrades first. Running costs depend on your electricity tariff and how well the system is set up. Done properly they’re efficient and low-carbon — the key is honest advice on whether your home is a good fit, which we’ll always give.

We’re based in Plumpton, just outside Penrith, and work throughout the Eden Valley and Lake District — including Keswick, Ambleside, Windermere, Bowness and Grasmere — as well as Carlisle and the wider Cumbria area. If you’re within about 50 miles of Penrith, get in touch and we’ll be glad to help.