Extensions over a garage in Southsea
For an extension over a garage in Southsea, the first questions are always the same: how big, which approvals, and what it will cost. This page answers all three for Hampshire.
What we'd confirm first for a project in Southsea.
- Postcode districts
- PO4 and PO5
- County / area
- Hampshire, England
- Price region
- South East England
- Guide price
- £34,500–£50,500 (£1,930–£2,800 per m²)
- Approval route
- Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
- Nearest towns
- Portsmouth (1.1 miles), Gosport (1.9 miles), Cosham (4.5 miles)
- Distance to Southampton
- about 16 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About an extension over a garage
An extension over a garage suits you if you have an attached single garage beside the house and need an extra bedroom or a larger main bedroom with an en-suite. You get an inspection of the garage structure, a design that matches the house, the approvals your nation needs, structural design, building regulations approval and the build, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.
Southsea sits about 16.0 miles from Southampton. Closer to home, Portsmouth is 1.1 miles away and Gosport 1.9 miles.
What it costs in Southsea
A guide price for Southsea: around £34,500–£50,500 for 3 m × 6 m of new first-floor space (18 m²). That works out at £1,930–£2,800 per m² of new floor space, including VAT at 20%. We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.
| Spec | Per m² | 3 m × 6 m of new first-floor space (18 m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,770–£2,580 per m² | £32,000–£46,500 |
| Standard | £1,930–£2,800 per m² | £34,500–£50,500 |
| Premium | £2,310–£3,370 per m² | £41,500–£60,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Southsea
In England, most garages sit beside the house, so building over one makes a two-storey extension beyond a side wall, which always needs planning permission. If the garage is at the rear, the 3 m and 7 m rules for two-storey rear extensions apply, measured from the original house. A householder application costs £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026).
Approval in England: Householder planning application: £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Lawful development certificate: £274 (about £288 for applications from 8 December 2026). Councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation.
Building regulations: Building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end.
Design points for Southsea homes
Checking the garage foundations
Garages are often built on shallow strip footings sized for a single-storey wall and a light roof. A trial hole shows their depth and condition, and the engineer decides whether they can carry two storeys or need underpinning or new foundations inside the garage.
Matching the house
A room over a garage usually sits beside the front of the house in full view, so roof form, ridge height, windows and brick matter. Setting the front wall and ridge back slightly from the main house usually helps it look as if it belongs.
How we'd run your project
Look at the house
We start in Southsea with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Get it approved
Once you're happy with the design we submit it to the council for Southsea and deal with any questions from the planning officer.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
Build it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.
Questions about extensions over a garage in Southsea
Who handles building regulations for a project in Southsea?
We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in England: building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.
Which postcodes do you cover around Southsea?
We cover Southsea (PO4 and PO5) and nearby places including Portsmouth, Gosport and Cosham, plus the rest of Hampshire. The first site visit is free.
Do I need planning permission for an extension over a garage in Southsea?
Southsea is in England, so England planning rules apply. Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.
How do I get into a room over the garage?
Usually through a new opening off the existing landing or a bedroom, so the stairs stay where they are. If the floor levels do not match, a step or two may be needed inside the new room. Where a landing opening is not practical, a new stair from a converted garage is an option.
Can I add an en-suite above the garage?
Yes, and it is a common choice for a main bedroom. The en-suite needs an extract fan under Part F, a route for the soil pipe down to the drains and enough fall for the waste, which can be harder over a garage. We plan the pipe route through the garage or an outside wall early.
Nearby
Close to Southsea? We work across the area, including:
Other extensions in Southsea
- Rear
- Side
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Southsea · Extensions over a garage across Hampshire
The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Southsea and give you an honest view of the options.