Look at the images above. On the left (Before): A typical UK rear garden — uneven ground, soft landscaping, no usable structure, no value. On the right (After): A clean, modern 40 sqm single-storey extension with full-height glazing, engineered structure, and a finished ground floor that has transformed the property. This transformation did not require […]
Q: How much extra will my foundation cost if I have a full-grown tree near my new studio-size extension? A: Only £4,000 anywhere in the UK. And you will never dig deeper than 2.5m. This question comes up in almost every enquiry for a 40m² studio-size extension. Homeowners are often told foundation costs will “double” […]
Most homeowners believe foundations for a rear extension, side extension, or 40 sqm permitted development build must cost £20,000–£35,000. This is the biggest myth in domestic construction. The truth is simple: A foundation is a one-day operation when managed correctly. By using a task/milestone workflow, prefabricated components, and the correct Building Control sequence, a full […]
(Rear or side extension under permitted development – foundations, excavation, concrete, steel, drainage connection) Most homeowners believe the groundwork stage of a rear or side extension takes days or even weeks. The reality? With the right sequence, a mini digger, and a 3-man experienced ground crew, the entire 40 m² footprint can be cleared, excavated, […]
Most homeowners think foundations cost £20k–£30k because contractors inflate numbers or blame Building Control. But when you break it down properly — using the correct structural design — the real cost is exactly what you see below. This matches the standard foundation design shown in your structural template S101 (GB-3 footing, C30 concrete, T12/T10 reinforcement). […]
When you look at a finished extension, it’s easy to focus on the final image — the glass, the lighting, the open-plan kitchen. But the real value is created long before the finishes. It starts with engineering, foundations, structure, and a disciplined construction sequence. This blog explains exactly how an extension is built, step-by-step, using […]
