House extensions in Bexley
Extension builders a few minutes from Bexley village, working on the 1930s semis of Blendon, the large plots toward Joydens Wood and the Old Bexley and Parkhurst conservation areas.
Village, villas and 1930s semis
Bexley village and the streets around it hold more variety than anywhere else in the borough: Georgian and Victorian houses in the Old Bexley conservation area, large Edwardian villas in Parkhurst, long streets of 1930s semis in Blendon, and detached houses on big plots toward Joydens Wood and North Cray. Each needs a different approach.
Kelmend Construction is based in Sidcup, five minutes away, and our house extensions service covers all of DA5. Old Bexley carries both conservation area status and an Article 4 direction, so knowing exactly where those boundaries fall matters here more than in most of the borough.
We know your property
Georgian and Victorian houses
Old Bexley is a conservation area with an Article 4 direction, and contains some of the borough's oldest and most valuable houses. Extensions are possible but need planning permission, sympathetic materials and a design that defers to the original building.
Victorian and Edwardian villas
The Parkhurst conservation area covers large late Victorian and Edwardian villas on generous plots with real extension potential, reviewed closely by the council on design and materials.
1930s semis
The interwar semis of Blendon and the streets around Bexley station are the area's most common house type, with hipped roofs, side passages and long gardens that suit rear and side extensions.
Detached houses on large plots
The detached houses toward Joydens Wood and along Bexley Lane sit on some of the biggest plots in the borough, suiting double storey rear extensions, side extensions and full wraparounds.
Village and larger homes
North Cray Village and High Beeches are both conservation areas, with older cottages and substantial detached houses on the edge of the green belt.
Interwar and post-war
Mixed housing toward Crayford with mostly straightforward planning, apart from the Iron Mill Lane and Star Hill conservation areas.
Types of extension we build in Bexley
Rear extension
The most common extension on Blendon's 1930s semis, extending the ground floor into the garden for an open-plan kitchen and living space. Outside the conservation areas, most are permitted development.
Double storey extension
A larger kitchen below and a bedroom or bathroom above. Suits the deep plots toward Joydens Wood and Bexley Lane. Always requires planning permission.
Side return extension
Fills in the side passage of the older terraced and semi-detached houses around the village, creating a wide, light kitchen. In Old Bexley this needs planning permission.
Wraparound extension
Rear and side return in one L-shaped build. Popular on the area's semis where the side passage allows.
Side extension
Builds into the side garden of a detached or semi-detached house for a garage, utility room or home office. Most relevant on the larger plots around Joydens Wood and Parkhurst.
Garden room extension
Large glazed doors, full insulation and integrated heating. Suits the generous gardens typical of Bexley's detached houses.
What you need to know before extending in Bexley
Bexley village is the historic heart of the borough, and it has the planning constraints to match. Old Bexley and Parkhurst both need careful handling; the interwar streets around them are much simpler.
Permitted development
Outside conservation areas, most of the borough's 1930s semis qualify for single storey rear extensions under permitted development, with the larger home extension route available for deeper builds subject to neighbour consultation. We confirm the position for your address before any design work.
Conservation areas
Bexley has 23 conservation areas, eight of them in Sidcup alone, plus Old Bexley, Parkhurst and Red House Lane. Within these, extensions visible from the street need planning permission and the council reviews materials and proportions closely.
Article 4 directions
Old Bexley, Old Forge Way, Red House Lane and Brook Street carry Article 4(2) directions that remove some permitted development rights. Work that would be permitted elsewhere needs a full application in these areas.
Suburban character
Bexley's planning policy protects the consistent interwar character of its residential streets. Extensions that respect the roof line, materials and spacing of neighbouring houses are far more likely to be approved.
Approval timelines
Bexley Council typically decides householder applications within 8 weeks of validation. Conservation area applications can take longer. We build realistic timelines into your programme.
Party walls and neighbours
Almost every extension on a semi-detached or terraced property involves the Party Wall Act. We flag this at the consultation so notices can be served early.
Bexley's conservation areas
Four conservation areas cover parts of Bexley and North Cray, with two more at nearby Crayford:
Old Bexley also carries an Article 4 direction removing some permitted development rights. We check your address against Bexley's current maps at the consultation.
Why Bexley homeowners choose us
Based in Sidcup
We're based in Sidcup, so your site visit, your build and any snag afterwards are a few minutes away, not a trip across London.
1930s semi experience
The interwar semi is the borough's dominant house type and it has its own quirks: suspended timber floors, cavity walls of varying quality, side passages of varying widths. We know what to look for before we start.
Bexley Council experience
We know how Bexley's planning department approaches householder applications, which conservation areas bite and which don't, and how to present an application for approval first time.
Directly accountable
You deal with us throughout, not a project manager you've never met. We're on site, we're reachable, and our reputation depends on every local job.
Itemised, honest quotes
Fully itemised quotes with no vague allowances. Any changes are costed in writing before we proceed.
Planning handled
We advise on the planning route, work with architects who know Bexley, and manage building control. You won't be chasing the council yourself.
Our extension process in Bexley
Free consultation and site visit
We come to your Bexley property, walk the space and give you an honest read on what's feasible, which planning route applies for your address and a realistic budget.
Design and planning
We work with your architect, or recommend one who knows Bexley Council, to develop drawings. We advise on the route, submit any application and manage party wall notices.
Detailed quote and contract
Once drawings are finalised we produce a fully itemised quote. Scope, timeline, stage payments and how variations are handled are set out in writing before any work begins.
The build
Work starts on the agreed date. We manage groundworks, structure, trades and materials, with regular photo updates and direct access to us throughout. The site is secured and cleaned every day.
Finishing and fit-out
Plastering, flooring, electrics, plumbing and decoration run as one programme with no gaps between trades.
Handover and sign-off
Bexley building control sign-off is obtained and we walk the finished extension with you to pick up any snags. We don't close the job until you're satisfied.
Covering Bexley and the borough
Based in Sidcup and building across the London Borough of Bexley, including:
Bexley extension FAQs
How much does an extension cost in Bexley?
A single storey rear extension typically costs between £1,500 and £2,200 per square metre, depending on size, specification and finish. A 20m² kitchen extension might range from £30,000 to £50,000 fully finished. Work in the Old Bexley and Parkhurst conservation areas often involves higher-specification materials and sits toward the upper end. We'll give you an accurate figure after visiting your property.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in Bexley?
Not always. Many single storey rear extensions on 1930s semis fall under permitted development. If your property is in one of the local conservation areas or an Article 4 area, planning permission will be required. We check your specific address at the consultation.
How long does Bexley Council take to approve a planning application?
Bexley Council typically decides householder applications within 8 weeks of validation. Conservation area applications and those with neighbour objections can take longer. We build realistic timelines into your programme.
Will an extension add value to my Bexley home?
In most cases, yes. A well-built extension that turns a small 1930s kitchen into an open-plan family space typically adds 10 to 20% to value, and the local market has rewarded that kind of modernisation consistently. Build quality matters: a poor extension causes problems at sale.
Can I stay in my home during the extension?
In most cases, yes, and most clients do. We plan the work to minimise disruption, particularly during the breakthrough from the existing house, seal off dust, protect flooring and leave the site clean and secure at the end of each day.
How long does a typical extension take to build?
A single storey rear extension takes 10 to 16 weeks from start on site to practical completion. Double storey, wraparound and side extensions take 16 to 24 weeks. Planning permission, where required, adds 8 to 13 weeks before work begins.
Extending your home in Bexley?
We're five minutes away. Tell us about your project and we'll come round for a free, no-obligation consultation.
No pushy sales. No call centres. Just a straight conversation about your Bexley project.