Tamworth · Staffordshire

Extensions over a garage in Tamworth

Our extensions over a garage service in Tamworth covers everything: measured survey, design, planning or permitted development checks, structural design, building control and the build itself.

The basics for Tamworth at a glance.

Postcode districts
B77, B78 and B79
County / area
Staffordshire, England
Price region
West Midlands
Guide price
£31,500–£46,000 (£1,750–£2,550 per m²)
Approval route
Planning permission is needed: in England, permitted development only allows single-storey extensions to the side.
Nearest towns
Polesworth (3.7 miles), Lichfield (6.3 miles), Sutton Coldfield (6.9 miles)
Distance to Stoke-on-Trent
about 32.7 miles
First visit
Free, no obligation

About an extension over a garage

An extension over a garage is a new first-floor room built on top of an existing attached garage, usually a bedroom, en-suite or study. It uses a footprint you already have, so it adds floor space without taking any garden. The garage walls and foundations often need strengthening or replacing to carry the new floor.

Around Tamworth we also work in Polesworth, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield, and across the rest of Staffordshire. Postcode districts in and near Tamworth: B77, B78 and B79.

What it costs in Tamworth

Our guide for the West Midlands is £1,750–£2,550 per m² including VAT. On a project with 3 m × 6 m of new first-floor space (18 m²), that puts an extension over a garage in Tamworth at roughly £31,500–£46,000. Kitchens, bathroom fittings and flooring are priced separately so you can compare like with like.

SpecPer m²3 m × 6 m of new first-floor space (18 m²)
Essential£1,610–£2,350 per m²£29,000–£42,000
Standard£1,750–£2,550 per m²£31,500–£46,000
Premium£2,100–£3,060 per m²£38,000–£55,000

Planning and building regulations in Tamworth

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 Tamworth homes

Garage walls and the door opening

Garage walls are often a single skin of brick or block with piers, and the wide door opening needs a beam over it. Many over-garage extensions need new inner walls or a steel frame to carry the floor and to insulate properly, which we confirm before the design is fixed.

Floor levels and headroom

Garage floors are often lower than the house, and the new first floor may not line up with the existing landing. We set the floor level to avoid awkward steps upstairs, while keeping enough headroom in the garage below for a car or storage.

How we'd run your project

  1. Free site visit

    We visit your home in Tamworth, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.

  2. Choose the approval route

    Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.

  3. Price it properly

    Once the engineer's calculations are in, we fix the build price in writing, with a clear list of what's included.

  4. 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 Tamworth

How long does an extension over a garage take?

Allow 4 to 8 weeks for survey and design, then the approval period (councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation), then 4 to 8 weeks of technical design, which can overlap. The build itself usually takes 14 to 20 weeks, longer for large or complex designs.

Which postcodes do you cover around Tamworth?

We cover Tamworth (B77, B78 and B79) and nearby places including Polesworth, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield, plus the rest of Staffordshire. The first site visit is free.

Do I need planning permission for an extension over a garage in Tamworth?

Tamworth 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.

Do I need to convert the garage as well?

No. You can keep the garage for parking or storage and build only the room above, as long as the floor between them and any door into the house meet fire separation rules. Converting the garage at the same time is often good value, because the walls and foundations may be upgraded anyway.

Nearby

Close to Tamworth? We work across the area, including:

Other extensions in Tamworth

All two-storey extension services in Tamworth · Extensions over a garage across Staffordshire

Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.

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