Extra bedroom and en-suite extensions in Dunstable

What we'd confirm first for a project in Dunstable.

Postcode districts: LU5 and LU6
County / area: Bedfordshire, England
Price region: East of 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: Luton (4.5 miles), Leighton Buzzard (6.2 miles), Flitwick (8.2 miles)
Distance to Luton: about 4.5 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 Dunstable (LU5 and LU6) and the places around it, including Luton (4.5 miles), Leighton Buzzard (6.2 miles) and Flitwick.

What it costs in Dunstable

For budgeting in Dunstable, allow around £57,500–£78,000 (plus £5,500–£11,000 for the en-suite) for an extra bedroom and en-suite extension with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space). That's based on £2,060–£2,780 per m² including VAT for the East of England. Steelwork for wide openings is the item most likely to move the figure; we'll know once the engineer has designed it.

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 Dunstable

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 Dunstable homes

Sound and privacy

Bedrooms above a kitchen or family room benefit from an insulated floor to reduce noise. Side-facing upstairs windows usually have to be obscure-glazed, so we place the main bedroom window to the rear and the en-suite window to the side where possible.

Escape window and fire safety

A new first-floor bedroom needs an escape window with a clear opening of at least 0.33 m², at least 450 mm wide and high, and the bottom no more than 1,100 mm above the floor, unless there is a protected route to the stairs. We design the windows to meet this.

How we'd run your project

Understand the brief
At your home in Dunstable we agree what you need: bedroom count, bathroom, kitchen space, and how much garden you want to keep.
Drawings, then consent
We draw the scheme, check it against the rules in England, and take it through the right consent with the council.
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.
Build it
The new structure goes up first, then we open into the house, finish inside and get the completion certificate.

Questions about extra bedroom and en-suite extensions in Dunstable

Who handles building regulations for a project in Dunstable?

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.

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.

How much does an extra bedroom and en-suite extension cost in Dunstable?

Our guide for the East of England, which covers Dunstable, 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.

What goes on the ground floor below a new bedroom?

Whatever suits you: a bigger kitchen, a family room, a study, a utility or a downstairs shower room. The ground floor usually costs about the same whatever it is used for, apart from kitchen units and bathroom fittings, which are priced separately.

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

The same service in neighbouring towns:

Other extensions in Dunstable

All two-storey extension services in Dunstable · Extra bedroom and en-suite extensions across Bedfordshire

The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Dunstable and give you an honest view of the options.