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How Long Does a House Extension Take? A Realistic Timeline
"How long will it take" is really two separate questions: how long before building starts, and how long building itself takes. Both matter for planning your life around a project, and both are routinely underestimated by homeowners comparing quotes.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
“Pindi is an excellent tradesman. His attention to detail is second to none and he's a really nice guy to work with. Highly recommend.”
James Graham
“Pindi did a fantastic job with my kitchen. He understood my requirements from the start and I was very happy with the finished result. His workmanship was exceptional.”
Lisa Creek
“I used Pindi Sahota for a house conversion, all works were carried out professionally.”
Aniket Patel
Before Building Starts: 6–10 Weeks
- ✓Free site visit and initial discussion — same week you enquire
- ✓Fixed-price written quote — typically within 10 working days
- ✓Permitted development check or planning application — immediate confirmation, or 8+ weeks if full planning is needed
- ✓Structural design and Building Regulations drawings — 2–3 weeks
- ✓Building Regulations application submitted — processed alongside early build stages
On Site: 10–22 Weeks Depending on Scope
| Project Type | Typical Time on Site |
|---|---|
| Single storey kitchen extension | 10–14 weeks |
| Double storey extension | 16–22 weeks |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | 8–12 weeks |
| Garage conversion | 4–6 weeks |
| Whole-house renovation | varies by scope — typically 12–30 weeks |
What Actually Causes Delays
In our experience, the build programme itself rarely slips significantly once started — the real risk to timescales sits upstream, in planning delays (where full permission is needed), structural engineer turnaround time, and client decision-making on kitchen/bathroom specification once the shell is up. We agree a clear programme before work starts specifically so you know what to expect and when.
FAQ
Related Questions
Can I speed up the planning process?
Pre-application advice from the council can flag issues early, but formal determination timescales are set by the authority, not the builder — we manage the application but can't shorten the statutory period.
Will weather delay my build?
Groundworks and roofing stages are the most weather-sensitive. We build realistic contingency into the programme rather than quoting an optimistic best-case timeline.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Free written quote from your local Berkshire building contractor — usually within 10 working days, depending on the size of your project.