Extra bedroom and en-suite extensions in Bideford
Want to stay in Bideford but need more space? An extra bedroom and en-suite extension adds floor area on two levels without giving up much garden. Here's what's involved.
Useful details for planning an extra bedroom and en-suite extension in Bideford.
- Postcode districts
- EX38 and EX39
- County / area
- Devon, England
- Price region
- South West England
- Guide price
- £57,500–£78,000 (£2,060–£2,780 per m²), plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite
- Approval route
- It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission.
- Nearest towns
- Braunton (6.7 miles), Barnstaple (7.9 miles), Ilfracombe (13.9 miles)
- Distance to Plymouth
- about 44.7 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About an extra bedroom and en-suite extension
An extra bedroom and en-suite extension is a two-storey extension planned around a new double bedroom with its own shower room on the first floor, with a ground-floor room below. It is one of the most effective ways to add space for a growing family. Nationwide's 2025 research linked adding a double bedroom and bathroom to a three-bed, one-bathroom house with value gains of up to 24%.
We cover Bideford (EX38 and EX39) and the places around it, including Braunton (6.7 miles), Barnstaple (7.9 miles) and Ilfracombe.
What it costs in Bideford
Using our South West England rates, an extra bedroom and en-suite extension with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £57,500–£78,000 (plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite), including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². Keep a contingency of around 10% for things nobody can see until the ground is opened up.
| Spec | Per m² | A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,900–£2,560 per m² | £53,000–£71,500 |
| Standard | £2,060–£2,780 per m² | £57,500–£78,000 |
| Premium | £2,470–£3,340 per m² | £69,000–£93,500 |
Planning and building regulations in Bideford
In England, an extra bedroom extension at the rear can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall and stays 7 m from the rear boundary. Upper side windows, including en-suite windows, must be obscure-glazed and non-opening below 1.7 m. Side or deeper designs need planning permission, costing £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 Bideford homes
Connecting to the landing
The new bedroom must be reached from the existing landing, usually through a new opening in the outside wall or by taking part of an existing bedroom as a corridor. We look at the stairs and landing first, because a poor connection can waste much of the new space.
Planning the en-suite
An en-suite needs a route for the soil pipe to the drains, enough fall for waste water and an extract fan to the outside under Part F. Placing it over the ground-floor utility or near an existing drain keeps pipework short and hidden.
How we'd run your project
Look at the house
We start in Bideford with a free visit: measurements, photos, a look at the loft and drains, and a frank chat about budget.
Design and approvals
We draw the extension and check it against the rules for England, then apply for planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, whichever fits.
Detail and price
Construction drawings, engineer's calculations and building control sign-off, then a written fixed price for the build.
Finish and certify
Second fix, plastering and making good, then building control's final inspection and the completion paperwork.
Questions about extra bedroom and en-suite extensions in Bideford
How much does an extra bedroom and en-suite extension cost in Bideford?
Our guide for South West England, which covers Bideford, is £2,060–£2,780 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £57,500–£78,000 (plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite). Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.
How long does an extra bedroom and en-suite extension 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 Bideford?
We cover Bideford (EX38 and EX39) and nearby places including Braunton, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, plus the rest of Devon. The first site visit is free.
Does an extra bedroom add value to my house?
It usually does, though not always by the full cost. Nationwide's 2025 research found that adding a double bedroom to a two-bed house was linked to about 13% higher value, and a double bedroom and bathroom on a three-bed, one-bathroom house up to 24%. Local ceiling prices still apply.
Can an en-suite go in a room with no window?
Yes. A shower room without a window is allowed, provided it has a mechanical extract fan to the outside that meets Part F. Many people prefer a window for daylight, but if it faces a neighbour it will usually need obscure glass. We plan the extract route early so the duct is hidden.
Nearby
Other towns near Bideford:
Other extensions in Bideford
All two-storey extension services in Bideford · Extra bedroom and en-suite extensions across Devon
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